2. After It!

AFTER IT! 2 Sam couldn't believe what he had just seen. The ball was resting against that tree root, thought Sam. And then it just started rolling! On its own!

Ms. Grinker was hurrying the rest of the class into the school. Beside her was Mr. Nekobi. The old man caught Sam's eye. He gave Sam a slight nod. Sam knew what that meant: Mr. Nekobi wanted Sam to go into the woods after the ball. "I'll get the ball," Lucy said. "I'm sure there's a reason it started to roll— maybe there's a little hill we can't see!" "There's a reason, all right!" Antonio exclaimed. "Orson Eerie is the reason!"

Sam and his friends had learned that a mad scientist named Orson Eerie built Eerie Elementary more than a hundred years ago. But Orson Eerie found a way to live forever— he became the school. Orson Eerie was Eerie Elementary. "Come on, guys," Antonio said. "Forget about the ball." Lucy wanted to go into the woods. Antonio didn't. The final choice was Sam's. Time was ticking! Sam looked back. Mr. Nekobi was talking to Ms. Grinker. He was distracting her for them! Perfect...

"Okay, guys," Sam said. "We're going after that ball." Lucy grinned. Antonio groaned. But together, the friends walked toward the fence. Pine trees towered over them. They climbed through the twisted fence. Cool air rushed over them. They left the sunlight behind and entered the darkness of the woods.

"But what if Orson Eerie made the ball move?" Antonio asked. "We're leaving school grounds," Sam said. "Orson Eerie has no power beyond this fence. We have nothing to worry about." But as soon as Sam finished his sentence, a thick fog came from deep within the woods. In moments, it seemed to swallow them. Sam couldn't see two feet from his face! He couldn't see his friends!

Sam heard Lucy's voice, but it sounded like she was miles away. He squinted. All he could see was thick, gray fog. All Sam could hear was swirling wind! "Guys, where are you?!" Sam cried out. "Antonio! Lucy!" Sam called again and again, but there was no response. His friends were gone!