3. From Bad to Worse

FROM BAD TO WORSE 3 Sam's day got worse and worse. In fact, it was an awful day for all three of Eerie Elementary's hall monitors! First, Lucy got in trouble. She was holding the door when it jumped from her hand and slammed in Ms. Grinker's face! It looked like Lucy had slammed the door on purpose. Ms. Grinker gave her a warning.

Antonio got in trouble next. It was just before recess and everyone was at their lockers. Antonio set his backpack down, but it leapt into the middle of the hallway— right beneath Ms. Grinker's feet! She scolded him, too. "It feels like the school is trying to get us in trouble," Antonio said to his friends as they walked outside. During recess, things got worse...

The hall monitors were by the jungle gym when Mr. Nekobi walked over. Mr. Nekobi was the old man who took care of Eerie Elementary. It was Mr. Nekobi who had chosen Sam to be the school's hall monitor. He had shown Sam the horrible truth about the monstrous school. Mr. Nekobi said, "I have to trim some trees in front of the school. Would you three mind getting the field ready for Kickball Showdown?" "Sure! Lucy and I can set up the bleachers," Antonio said. "I'll clean off the bases and inflate the kickballs," Sam said.

He grabbed a broom and followed his friends to the field. Sam was sweeping home plate when he felt a twisting and tangling inside his gut. As hall monitor, Sam could sense things that other students couldn't. He could feel when something was wrong. Right now, Sam had that feeling.

He looked up. The metal backstop loomed over him. CREEE-EEEE-EEAK! Wind whipped across the field and the backstop shook. Sunlight danced and shined on the metal fence. Sam couldn't pull his eyes away from it. He felt like he was falling into a trance... Sam saw a face. It was the face of his ultimate enemy: Orson Eerie. And the face was staring at Sam! RING! The sound snapped Sam out of his trance.

"That's the bell, Sam!" Lucy yelled. "We need to head inside!" "But I still need to inflate the kickballs!" Sam called back. "We'll help!" Antonio shouted. He and Lucy hurried over. Sam grabbed an air pump and inflated the kickballs. Lucy and Antonio helped. They were finishing when— RING!