6. The Mystery of the Book

THE MYSTERY OF THE BOOK 6 Sam looked at the clock. It was 8:05 a.m. They had twenty minutes before hall monitor duty began. "Do you think the book will fly away again?" Antonio asked. "No," Sam said. "I think the chase drained the school's energy. At least for now."

Sam opened the book to the first page. The friends leaned closer to read the handwritten words inside: I donate this book to the school I designed. This was my favorite science book as a child. It inspired me for many years. Maybe someday it will inspire the students of Eerie Elementary Signed, Orson Eerie Sam's heart began to pound. "This book was given to the school by Orson Eerie!" he said. "This book belonged to Orson Eerie!"

KLANG! The friends jumped as the door banged open. Mr. Nekobi rushed in. "I heard strange noises," he said. "Mr. Nekobi!" Sam exclaimed. "You have to see this!" Sam pushed the ancient book across the table. Mr. Nekobi took a deep breath. "Strange Science Experiments to Dazzle and Amaze," he said, reading the title aloud. "I haven't seen this book in years..." "It used to belong to Orson Eerie!" Sam said. Mr. Nekobi sighed deeply. "I know. A student used it to find a project for the last science fair, seven years ago."

"We heard the last fair was a disaster. What happened?" Lucy asked. "Was Eerie Elementary trying to feed on the students?" "No," Mr. Nekobi said. "That's what was so strange. The school just began destroying things. It was a miracle no one was hurt. There was only one thing missing when the fair ended." "What?" Sam asked. Mr. Nekobi handed the book back to Sam. In a very serious tone he said, "This book." Just like that, Mr. Nekobi turned away. He began cleaning up the scattered books.

Sam ran his hand through his hair. He thought and thought, but he couldn't make sense of Orson Eerie's note. "So we know Orson donated this book," Sam said. "But why doesn't he want us to have it? What's in here that he doesn't want us to see?" "And why was there a weird earthquake yesterday?" Antonio added. "Was the earthquake a warning from Orson?" Lucy wondered. "A warning that the science fair shouldn't happen?" "Maybe," Sam replied. "But this doesn't feel like the other times we've battled Orson. This feels different." He looked down at the book. "There must be something in here... Something Orson Eerie doesn't want anyone to read. Ever. We just need to find out what it is."