13. No Time To Waste

No TIME TO WASTE 13 Sam woke up. His pajamas were soaked in sweat. His heart was pounding. "It was just a scary nightmare...," Sam told himself. But Sam knew the nightmare could come true— if he and his friends didn't stop the demolition of Eerie Elementary.

Sam couldn't go back to sleep. All he could picture was that terrifying face and the swinging wrecking ball. Just then, he realized something awful... The wrecking ball is on school grounds. Orson Eerie can demolish the school himself! He doesn't need to wait for the construction workers to do it! In a flash, Sam was up and dressed. He hurried downstairs and scribbled a quick note to his parents. Mom & Dad, I left for school early this morning. I have to help Mr. Nekobi with some hall monitor stuff. Love, Sam Sam ran to Lucy's house. He tossed a pebble at Lucy's window. The window lifted.

Lucy rubbed her eyes. "Sam?" she said. She was fighting off a yawn. "What are you doing here? It's still dark out." "I had a nightmare!" Sam said. "Now I think Orson is going to use the wrecking ball to destroy the school all by himself!" Moments later, Lucy came out of her front door. Antonio's house was next. Lucy tapped his window with a branch. Antonio's window rattled open. He could tell something important was happening. "Coming!" he said. He slipped Squeakers into his front pocket as he ran outside.

"You're bringing Squeakers?" Lucy asked. "I can't leave her," Antonio replied as he petted Squeakers. "I bonded with this cutie! She's the best. Aren't you, my little buddy?" "Oh, Lucy!" Sam said. "I forgot to ask. Did you have any luck at the town hall?" "Not really," Lucy said with a sigh. "I did bump into Jasper, though. I told him everything that happened yesterday. He said he'd keep searching for information." "Okay, well... No time to waste!" Sam said. "Come on! I'm afraid the demolition is already starting!"

The friends began running. It was almost dawn when they arrived at Eerie Elementary. A blue-gray fog hung over the school. It was a cold winter morning, and it felt even colder near the school. An icy chill ran down Sam's spine. They hurried past the trailers, across the soccer field, and over to the playground. Eerie Elementary loomed over everything. It made Sam think of an abandoned castle. Everything was still. Then—

GRRRR-OOOM! The sound of an engine cut through the early morning quiet. Sam's nightmare was coming to life. Bright headlights flooded the school. The truck rumbled. The crane began to move. The wrecking ball started swinging. But there was no one inside the truck!