7. The End Of Orson

THE END OF ORSON? 7 The next morning, Sam, Lucy, and Antonio stepped onto school grounds. "What on earth?" Antonio said. "Who are all these people?" Lucy asked. "And what are they doing to our school?" Sam said.

Construction workers in bright yellow hard hats were examining the building and taking measurements. Trailers were set up across the soccer field. Principal Winik was directing students. "Find your teachers," he announced. "They will explain everything."

Sam and his friends spotted Ms. Grinker. They made their way through the crowd. "Ms. Grinker, what is happening?" Lucy asked. "Inside, inside," Ms. Grinker said. "I will explain." Sam, Lucy, and Antonio entered a trailer. Their classmates were already seated. The trailer was filled with desks and chairs. There was a whiteboard, but the walls were bare.

Ms. Grinker called for silence. Squeakers was inside her cage, running on her squeaky wheel. "I realize everyone is curious to know what's going on outside," Ms. Grinker said. "Unfortunately, our beloved school is going to be torn down."

The entire class gasped. "The building is too old," Ms. Grinker continued. "It has become a danger." "Not to mention it's super creepy," Antonio whispered to Sam and Lucy. "And alive," Lucy added. "Class will be held here," Ms. Grinker continued, "until we have a new school building." Sam raised his hand. "Ms. Grinker, when will the old building be torn down?"

"Tomorrow," Ms. Grinker said. Ms. Grinker started class like usual. But Sam could not pay attention. He stared out the window, watching Eerie Elementary and thinking, it feels like the school is watching me... Finally, it was time for recess. But the playground was overrun with construction workers, so recess was held on the soccer field. Sam's friends were both overjoyed by Ms. Grinker's news about the school. "Orson Eerie will be defeated at last! And we're not even the ones who are going to do it!" Antonio said. He looked like he was ready to run a victory lap around the school.