10. Stop!

STOP! 10 The next day, Sam stared out the window during class. He saw construction workers hurrying about, removing boxes from the school. All day, it felt like Eerie Elementary was watching him. Just as the school day was ending, Sam's desk began to shake. His sneakers bounced against the floor. The entire trailer was quaking!

Sam watched Squeakers hide beneath a pile of sawdust. Lucy's and Antonio's eyes were wide. But Sam realized that— for once— this was not Orson Eerie's doing. A massive truck rumbled past the window. The trailer shook harder, and a bulldozer followed. "Oh no!" Sam whispered to his friends. "The demolition of Eerie Elementary is about to start."

Ms. Grinker dismissed the class and told everyone to head straight home. Sam and his classmates funneled outside. But no one headed home they gathered on the field. It wasn't often that students got to watch their school be demolished in front of their eyes! Sam saw a wrecking ball rumbling toward Eerie Elementary. The wrecking ball swung from a metal chain. The thick chain made a loud metallic creaking sound.

Sam caught Mr. Nekobi's eye from across the field. He was frowning. In moments, the demolition would begin! All hope appeared to be lost... But suddenly, Sam heard a familiar voice yelling, "STOP!" Antonio was speeding toward the school, shouting at the top of his lungs: "STOP! STOP!" Lucy grabbed Sam's sleeve. "What's Antonio doing?!" "I'm not sure," Sam said. "But at least he's doing something! Come on!"

With that, Lucy and Sam raced after Antonio. Now they were all shouting: STOP! STOP! STOP!