11. Close Call!

CLOSE CALL! 11 The next day, Sam, Lucy, and Antonio arrived at school early. Mr. Eerie was waiting with the machine. It was hidden beneath a tattered orange-and-green quilt. Working together, they lifted the machine up the steps and into the school. The wheels squeaked as they pushed it down the hall. "Phew," Lucy said. "I'm glad we got this thing inside before anyone else arrived."

"Yeah," Antonio agreed. "Imagine trying to explain what's underneath this quilt!" But just as Antonio said that, he stepped on a corner of the quilt. WHOOSH! The quilt was yanked off the machine. At that exact moment, Principal Winik stepped from his office. Oh no! Sam thought. Of course the principal is here early. Our timing couldn't be any worse! It took Principal Winik about two seconds to notice the machine and about another two seconds for his face to scrunch up. "What exactly is going on here?"

Mr. Eerie appeared speechless. Sam had no clue what to say, either. But then "They're assisting me!" a voice said. Sam spun around. Relief flooded through him. It was Mr. Nekobi. "Mr. Winik, this is a heavy-duty cleaning machine," Mr. Nekobi explained. "I asked the hall monitors to help me bring it into school early— and Mr. Eerie is helping. I'll be using it to scrub the paint-stained floors in the art room." Principal Winik's face lit up. "Just in time for parent-teacher visits! Carry on." Mr. Nekobi helped Jasper Eerie, Antonio, Lucy, and Sam push the machine toward the art room.

"I better figure out a way to clean those floors now," Mr. Nekobi whispered to Sam with a chuckle. Sam laughed, but only for a moment. "Mr. Nekobi!" Sam exclaimed. "I have to tell you everything we've learned! Mr. Eerie is related to Orson Eerie, and this machine—" Mr. Nekobi interrupted Sam. "No need," he said. "I will always be here to cover for you and to tell you what I know. But my days of fighting the school are over."

Sam nodded. "I understand." Mr. Nekobi turned away, leaving them to their mission. Soon they had pushed the machine into the art room. They hid it behind paint cans and boxes of erasers. "Okay," Sam said, "Let's meet here right after the final bell." Jasper ran a shaky hand through his hair. Antonio slapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Mr. Eerie! We're used to these sorts of adventures!"

Sam looked at the machine one last time before Jasper covered it with the quilt. I hope this works. He turned to his friends and saw confident grins on their faces. For the first time, they felt hopeful about really beating Eerie Elementary. Sam didn't want to disappoint them. That's why he didn't mention the feeling in the pit of his stomach. And that's why he didn't mention the feeling that everything was going to go horribly wrong...