Tonton ate a heavy lunch and a heavy afternoon snack. They had a mission to accomplish and he needed to have as much energy as he could. As agreed, he prepared a light backpack containing an extra face mask, clothes, emergency light, and toy weapons just in case they would get into a manfight. As planned, he would pa.s.s by Kiko, then they would fetch Bogart together, and the three of them would stealthily go to the inauguration of the Silverio Alvarado Medical Suites. It was a risky adventure but it was worth it. They were not certain if Jamie was indeed kept in the facility but they must try. They could only pray that the odds would favor them. Excitedly, Tonton boarded his bike and went to Kiko. As eager as him, Kiko was already waiting by the doorstep. His brows were crossed when Tonton arrived.
"You are late," Kiko announced. "What took you so long?"
"Uh-huh?" Tonton answered quizzically and looked at his watch. "It"s only ten minutes past three."
"Yes, and it is late already. You are supposed to be here by three."
"That"s not it. I am supposed to leave our house by three."
"Uh? Really?"
Kiko laughed and seeing his friend relaxed, Tonton also laughed.
"Did you bring the firecrackers?" Tonton asked.
"Of course," Kiko replied. "I bring enough to start a party."
The two chuckled. It seemed they were both ready for the adventure ahead. Quickly, Kiko rode his bike and they went on with their trip. As they pa.s.sed by Mang Tomas" who was living a few blocks from Bogart, they were reminded of their meeting the other night.
The boys were quite hesitant when they knocked on the door of Mang Tomas" house last night. They had encountered Mang Tomas only a few times on the street but each time, they felt that the old man already knew them or something about them. It was a creepy feeling but at the same time, mystifying and stirring. Their fright intensified when Mang Tomas appeared on the door with a big frown on his piercing eyes. The man beckoned them to go inside.
Immediately, they got down to business and told him about their crazy mission. It was obvious that Mang Tomas was both shocked and stunned by what they told him.
"You boys must be out of your mind," Mang Tomas had commented. "What you will be doing is not a children"s game. It is a dangerous thing. And then you want to involve me?"
"We might have greater chances of succeeding if we have you," Kiko had answered.
"Crazy. How even sure are you that he is kept in Dr. Alvarado"s new facility."
"Not a hundred percent," Tonton had said. "But we are almost certain. We saw it in our dreams."
"And you believe that?"
"Yes, Mang Tomas. Our dreams have some meanings, much like yours. And you believe them, right?"
"Our dreams are different."
With those last words, Mang Tomas ushered them out of his house. The boys recalled each detail as they pa.s.sed by the old man"s house. The door was locked and the man was probably hiding inside.
"I really thought we could convince him to help us," Kiko said dejectedly.
"Me, too," Tonton sighed. "I hope he changes his mind and join us later."
"Is that possible?"
"Maybe. Some visions may have persuaded him so that he would come to the event as well."
"You"re right. I hope we will see him later."
Kiko smiled weakly and then they went on with their bike ride. Like them, Bogart was also exicted and overly prepared when they arrived at his house. He was seating by the porch with a huge backpack at his side. The two boys gaped upon seeing his bag.
"Why will you be carrying a big bag?" Kiko scowled.
"Yeah," Tonton chimed in. "We should be carrying light packs so we can run faster."
"Easy, guys," Bogart answered. "I just brought a lot of marshmallows and a blanket."
"Huh?" Kiko wondered.
"Jamie might be cold and hungry right now. So a blanket will keep him warm as we escape and some marshmallows to ease his hungry stomach."
"Oh," Tonton remarked. "I guess that"a s smart move. We did not think of that yesterday."
The boys chuckled.
"So have you convinced Mang Tomas to help us?"
Kiko and Tonton shook their heads.
Bogart: "So it is just the three of us."
Tonton: "Except if Miss Estella, the news reporter, will help us."
Kiko: "You have called her, right?"
Bogart: "Yes, but I did not talk to her for a long time. I just said that Jamie is inside the new medical facility."
Tonton: "That"s kind of vague, Bogart"
Kiko: "Yeah. We agreed that you would call her and tell her that Jamie was kidnapped and put inside the facility. Is that what you told her?"
Bogart: "Not really. I was scared and confused, guys. I did not tell her Jamie was kidnapped. I just said he could be found in the facility."
Tonton: "That"s really vague."
Kiko: "Truly vague. Do you think she believed you?"
Bogart: "I"m not sure. I just hope so. I was really scared so I hang up immediately."
Tonton: "So it is uncertain if she can help us."
Kiko: "But I think she will still be in the inauguration. It is an important event so it is a big news."
Bogart: "Yeah, I think you are right. She should be there."
Tonton: "I hope so.... Come on, we better get going now."
Bogart boarded his bike and the three hurriedly went to the medical facility. When they had arrived, uneasiness and fright overwhelmed them. The large crowd before them was beyond their expectation. For a long while, they stared at the guests who kept coming in. They were jovial and chatty, clueless of the evils surrounding them.
"I"m now really scared, guys," Bogart voiced out.
"Me as well," Kiko said.
"Can we really do this?" Tonton asked.
Then Jamie"s face flashed in their heads. Their friend had always been confident with anything he did. If he were in their shoes, he would have not hesitated. And right now, he badly needed their help.
"Gear up," Tonton declared. "We are not backing out."
Kiko and Bogart smiled. The mission had began....