13. He Speaks At Last!

HE SPEAKS AT LAST! 13 Orson Eerie's voice echoed off the gray cinder-block walls. "FOOLS! YOU CANNOT REMOVE ME FROM THE SCHOOL. I AM THE SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL IS ME." Jasper staggered backward as the yelling grew louder. Orson's deep voice boomed like thunder. "JASPER, YOU ARE FAMILY!"

Sam didn't want to waste this opportunity. This is my chance to talk some sense into Orson! he thought. "Orson! Listen!" Sam shouted. "It's me, Sam Graves." "SAM GRAVES... YOU HAVE DEFEATED ME TIME AND AGAIN! WHY WOULD I LISTEN TO YOU?" "Because I am the hall monitor!" Sam yelled. He whipped his sash from his backpack and threw it on. "Now tell me," Sam continued. "Why do you want to put everyone in danger?" "SO I CAN LIVE FOREVER!" "But you're using this school for evil!" Sam exclaimed. "I've seen your old science book I know you loved to learn! I know you built this school for the students! Think about the students now!"

Orson's voice changed. It sounded more thoughtful. "I... I MUST... ALL OF THIS... ALL THAT I'VE ACCOMPLISHED... IT IS MY LIFE'S WORK." Sam felt a change in Orson. The rage and anger faded away. He felt something good inside Orson. But then, suddenly, Orson roared. "NO! YOU ARE MY ENEMY! THE HALL MONITOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY ENEMY!" With that, the machine leapt into the air like an invisible hand had plucked it from the ground. The machine ripped itself apart. Sparks showered the floor.

"Get down!" Lucy shouted. She and Antonio dove beneath a workbench. But Jasper didn't move. He's frozen with fear! Sam realized. Sam grabbed hold of Jasper, dragging him to safety. And just in time— SMASH!!! The machine crashed back down. Bits of broken metal skittered across the floor. Sam gulped. We made contact with Orson Eerie. We were so close. But just like that, the machine has been destroyed.

Jasper's face was paper white. He raced for the door. "It's hopeless!" he cried. KA-KA-KRACK! The floor split apart at Jasper's feet. Tiles formed a wave, lifting him up! Jasper reached for the door, but he was hurled into a supply shelf. The shelf toppled over— showering him with crayons, brushes, and glue. The friends rushed toward Jasper, but the tiles beneath their feet began swirling. The floor turned into a giant whirlpool, whipping them around the room.

Finally, they were hurled into a corner, far away from Jasper. "I'm sorry I failed..." Sam told his friends. "I couldn't convince Orson Eerie to stop. He'll never stop. Orson Eerie is evil." Smashed machinery was strewn across the floor. The machine had been ripped, wrecked, and shattered. But the battle wasn't over... The floor tiles rose up, joining with the broken machine, transforming— Sam gasped.