5. Get That Book!

GET THAT BOOK! 5 Sam and his friends chased after the flying book. The lights in the library flickered, then blinked off completely. The library was almost pitch-black now. Computer monitors glowed dimly in the corner. They gave off the only light in the room. The entire library had a spooky feel. It felt like something might jump out from the darkness.

Sam, Antonio, and Lucy began to creep through the shadowy stacks. They were no longer sure if they were chasing the book, or if the book was chasing them. Sam crept around the corner and— WHOOSH! The book zoomed toward him! It opened and closed, like a dark crow flapping its wings. Sam leapt, reaching for the book like he was trying to catch a line drive in Little League.

But the book soared higher, then zoomed left. Sam saw the open library door. "It's headed for the door! Don't let it escape!" he shouted. "I'll handle it!" Lucy said. Lucy sprinted across the library. She threw her body against the door, slamming it shut. An instant later, the book banged into the door. It fluttered a moment, then swooped left. It disappeared into the darkness. "Orson Eerie must really not want us to read that book," Sam whispered. "With the door shut, it's trapped in here," Antonio said. "Right?"

"Is there any other way for it to escape?" Lucy asked. At once, they cried, "The broken vent!" Sam and his friends darted through the stacks. Books leapt from the shelves! One slammed into Sam's stomach, knocking him to the side. Another clonked Antonio in the shoulder. Lucy ducked just before an encyclopedia took her head off.

As Sam raced toward the vent, one book hung in the air. It was a massive dictionary. Sam tried to slide beneath it, but— KA-POOF! The dictionary exploded! Scraps and strips of white paper filled the air like a winter blizzard. Sam couldn't see a thing, but he raced forward anyway. He pushed through the paper-filled air. Sam kept his eyes shut. I don't want to get a paper-cut on my eyeball! he thought.

Even though Sam couldn't see, he sensed that he was close to the book. It was within reach. He dove, with his arms out and his hands open! He felt something touch his palms. He shut his fingers tightly and fell to the floor with a heavy OOMPH. "Nice grab!" Antonio said. Sam opened his eyes. He was clenching the book in his hands. Instantly, the lights flickered back on. With a loud BANG, SLAM, and POW all the other books crashed to the floor. Everything was silent. "Now," Sam said, "let's have a look at this book..."