8. From Bad To Worse

FROM BAD TO WORSE 8 Sam spotted Mr. Nekobi across the soccer field. He was talking to one of the construction workers. "Look," Sam said to Lucy and Antonio. "Mr. Nekobi seems upset about something. Let's find out what it is." The three friends hurried across the field. As they approached, the construction worker stomped away.

"What's wrong?" Sam asked. "What were you talking to that man about?" Mr. Nekobi looked frightened. "Come," he said. Sam, Antonio, and Lucy followed Mr. Nekobi back across the field. The old man sat down. "That was the foreman— he's the head construction worker," Mr. Nekobi said. "I asked him what would be done with the remains of the school after it was torn down." "What did he say?" Sam asked. Antonio and Lucy leaned forward.

"Some of the rubble will be sent to the junkyard," Mr. Nekobi said slowly. "But pieces of brick and metal will help repair other buildings in the town. Parts of Eerie Elementary will be reused..." Sam's mind raced. Does each brick contain some small part of Orson Eerie? Each nut, each bolt— could they all hold a piece of Orson Eerie's monstrous powers? "Could Orson Eerie's evil powers spread through town?" Sam asked. Mr. Nekobi frowned. "I do not know. But that is what I fear..."

Just minutes earlier, Sam, Lucy, and Antonio had been celebrating. But now it seemed like they might be worse off than ever! "We need more information about how Orson's powers would work in that situation," Lucy said. "And we need it fast!" Antonio added. Sam smiled. "I know just where to look!"