11. Slippery Escape

SLIPPERY ESCAPE 11 The three friends kicked their feet to stay above water. Soon, they'd touch the ceiling! The water would fill the entire room. KLANG! BANG! KLONK! The pipes were banging loudly. Sam could barely think.

"Wait! These pipes go all throughout the school!" said Sam. He pointed at one big pipe. It was broken. "Guys, climb inside that big pipe! I've got an idea!" "Are you crazy?!" Lucy yelled. Antonio shook his head. "No way. I'm not climbing into that old pipe! We don't know where it will take us! And I don't want to get squeezed again!" "It's our only choice!" Sam said. Antonio looked at Sam, then groaned. "Fine!" He swam over to the largest pipe. It was the size of a giant water slide. He climbed in. Sam helped Lucy up into the big pipe, too. The dark water was still rising. Sam needed to hurry. "I'll be right back!"

"Where are you going?!" Lucy shouted. "Trust me!" Sam said. Sam took one deep breath and dove down. For once, he was actually thankful for all of those swim classes his mom had made him take. Sam opened his eyes as he reached the water heater. Earlier, he had turned the wheel to the right to lessen the water's strength and save Lucy. So if he turned it to the left, it should make the water move faster through the pipes.

If the water is stronger, it can push us through the pipes! The water can carry us to the other end of the pipes, hopefully above ground, thought Sam. It was a crazy idea, but it was their only chance. Sam grabbed ahold of the wheel and began turning.