9. The First Sash

THE FIRST SASH 9 At last, it was Friday: Eerie Day! The morning bell hadn't rung yet— but Sam, Lucy, and Antonio were already in Principal Winik's office. They had to set their plan in motion... "Principal Winik," Sam said. "We'd like to volunteer to lead visitors through our haunted school tonight."

第一束腰带终于到了星期五：怪诞的一天！早上的铃还没响，但山姆、露西和安东尼奥已经到了温尼克校长的办公室。 他们不得不实施他们的计划。 “温尼克校长，”萨姆说。 “今晚我们自愿带领游客参观我们闹鬼的学校”

Mr. Winik leaned back. "Hmm. There will be lots of people attending: students, teachers, parents, and other townspeople. And as hall monitors, you know this school better than anyone," he said. "Okay, the job is yours!" The friends exchanged excited glances as they left the office. So far, so good. Antonio carried a duffel bag. It was full of last night's hard work. Sam grinned. "Guys, our plan will work if—" YANK! A hand grabbed Sam! Another tugged Lucy's backpack and the strap of Antonio's bag. They were yanked into the janitor's closet.

温尼克往后靠了靠。“嗯。 会有很多人参加：学生、老师、家长和其他市民。 作为大厅管理员，你比任何人都了解这所学校，”他说。 “好吧，这份工作交给你了！”朋友们离开办公室时兴奋地交换了一下眼色。 到目前为止，一切顺利。安东尼奥提着一个行李袋。 里面全是昨晚的辛苦工作。 山姆咧嘴一笑。“伙计们，我们的计划会成功，如果——”扬！一只手抓住了山姆！另一个人拽着露西的背包和安东尼奥的包带。 他们被猛拽进了看门人的衣橱。

This was no ordinary closet. Its rear wall began to move. Soon, a secret door opened and they were in a hidden room. The room was dark. It smelled wet. It was the same room where Sam had begun his journey as hall monitor. Mr. Nekobi stood in the shadows. "I apologize for scaring you. But secrecy is important. No one can see what I am about to give you." Mr. Nekobi held a small glass box. It looked like a box for storing a prized baseball. "Tonight, you'll need all the help you can get," he said. "I am too weak for battle. But this might help you."

这不是一个普通的壁橱。 它的后墙开始移动。 很快，一扇暗门打开了，他们来到了一个隐蔽的房间。 房间里很黑。它闻起来很湿。 山姆就是在这个房间里开始了他当厅长的旅程。 Nekobi先生站在阴影里。 “我很抱歉吓到你了。 但保密很重要。我所要赐给你的，没有人能看见。” Nekobi先生拿着一个小玻璃盒子。 它看起来像一个用来存放珍贵棒球的盒子。 “今晚，你需要所有你能得到的帮助，”他说。 “我太弱了，无法战斗。 但这可能对你有帮助。”

The friends crowded around. "This box contains my hall monitor sash from years ago," Mr. Nekobi said. Sam leaned in. The orange sash was faded and yet it seemed to glow. It reminded Sam of Mr. Nekobi himself: worn around the edges, but still strong.

朋友们围了过来。 “这个盒子里装着我多年前的大厅监控器饰带，”内科比说。 萨姆靠了过去。橙色的腰带褪了色，但似乎还在发光。 它让山姆想起了奈科比先生本人：边缘磨损了，但仍然很结实。

"Your sash looks like it's seen some action," Sam said softly. "For real," Antonio said. "So cool...," Lucy added. "Oh yes," Mr. Nekobi said. "But those are stories for another time." Sam took the box. Holding it, he felt stronger and braver. "Thank you, Mr. Nekobi," he said. "This might give us the edge we need to defeat Orson Erie once and for all!" "Let us hope," Mr. Nekobi said. "Now hurry to class. It will be nighttime before you know it."

“你的肩带看起来像是参加过一些活动。”山姆轻声说。 “说真的，”安东尼奥说。“太酷了…露茜补充说。 “哦，是的，”内科比说。 “但那是另一个时代的故事了。” 萨姆拿了盒子。拿着它，他觉得自己更强壮、更勇敢了。 “谢谢你，Nekobi先生，”他说。 “这可能会给我们一劳永逸地击败奥森·伊利所需的优势！”“让我们祈祷吧，”内科比说。 “现在快去上课。不知不觉天就黑了。”