Brothers' Plans

The three Brothers made a resolve to save Jamie at all costs. It was almost two days that he had disappearead, and three days since Tonton and Kiko had last seen him. They were worried for his safety, and at the same time mad at Dr. Alvarado who they suspected masterminded the abduction of their friend. Though there were still no updates from the police, the Brothers believe that Jamie was deliberately kidnapped.

"So how do we save Jamie from Dr. Alvarado?" Kiko asked.

"And where is he?" Tonton added. "We have no idea where he is."

"This is much harder than we thought," Bogart commented.

The afternoon was already getting late and Kiko and Tonton were supposed to be home before dark. Yet, the boys still had no clear plans how to rescue their friend.

"I think we need some food," Bogart suggested. "We can't think with an empty stomach."

"I agree to that," Kiko answered. "I am quite hungry already."

"I want some pizza," Tonton voiced out.

"No problem," Bogart said. "We have some in the ref so it's cold."

"Let's heat it up," Kiko beamed.

Immediately, the boys stood up and went out of Bogart's room. There were only the three of them in the house since Bogart's parents went out earlier for some errands. They helped themselves with the pizza and some extra cold iced tea. Bogart then opened the TV as they enjoyed their afternoon snacks. It was still a commercial break but then a news anchor suddenly cut the advertisement.

"For our breaking news," the anchor said, "the Silverio Alvarado Medical Suites will be inaugurated tomorrow. The ceremony will be graced by many local officials and government dignitaries, particularly the town mayor..."

The boys listened carefully to the news until the end. Once the ads resumed, they sighed in wonderment.

"So the facility was still finished despite what happened," Tonton commented, referring to the damage they caused when they raided the place last Friday.

"It's not impossible," Kiko said. "Too many people know Dr. Alvarado who surely helped him in the construction."

"Even the mayor is his friend," Bogart added. "So it will not be surprising if he succeeds in opening the facility."

"I just hope that the doctor will only succeed in that matter," Tonton said. "If he has evil plans for Jamie, I wish he will fail."

"So are we," Kiko chimed in.

The air was momentarily filled with gloom. Mentioning their friend's name could make them sad already.

"What do we do now?" Tonton asked helplessly. "Where do we find him?"

"Let us think where Dr. Alvarado could have taken him," Kiko suggested.

Tonton: "Dr. Alvarado must have a hideout where he could have taken Jamie."

Kiko: "Surely not in his house. His family would know."

Tonton: "Does he have other houses?"

Kiko: "Nothing that I know of. I asked my brother Jackson about what he know of Dr. Alvarado and he said that he is a respectable person. He is a known scientist in his office and a regular churchgoer."

Tonton: "He could not have hidden Jamie in his office or at the church. Any businesses?"

Kiko: "Jackson never mentioned anything. Besides, he would know if Dr. Alvarado has some businesses in the district."

Tonton: "It seems we reach the dead end already."

The two became silent, thinking of other possibilities.

"You seem so quiet, Bogart," Tonton said. "Are you with us?"

Bogart: "Of course. I just believe it's not the dead end yet. I think I know where Jamie is now."

Kiko: "Where?"

Bogart pointed the TV with his pouted lips.

Kiko: "What? In the TV?"

Bogart: "Are you nuts? How would Jamie get inside the TV?"

Kiko: "Then where? You are confusing me with your gesture!"

Bogart: "You two were talking about places related to Dr. Alvarado. Well, we just heard one from the news."

Tonton: "You mean his new facility - the Silverio Alvarado Medical Suites?"

Bogart: "What else?"

Bogart was beaming with his excited I-know-right and I-know-what-to-do smirk. The boys had seen that smile before, usually when he was being witty and cheeky.

Kiko: "Are you serious that Jamie could be hidden there?"

Bogart: "I think so. If Dr. Alvarado wants to do something to Jamie, it's the best place where he can do so."

Tonton: "Bogart could be right. Remember Jamie's dream?"

The two nodded and thought hard.

Kiko: "He told us that in his dream, he was being experimented in what looked like a hospital."

Tonton: "Yes, and it is now becoming a frightening reality for him. When we visited the place last Friday, I had a vision and I could see how the facility would look like once it is done. I saw a research laboratory where anything can be done to the test subjetc, including humans. I agree with Bogart, he could have been taken there."

Kiko: "Exactly where in the facility is the research laboratory?"

Tonton: "It is in the upper level. It is also supposed to be a secret area in the facility."

Kiko: "Then that's it. A secret chamber where Dr. Alvarado could do his evil plans. I am now convinced of what you two were saying."

Bogart: "You also had a similar dream, Ton. Will you also be kidnapped and tortured in the secret chamber?"

Kiko: "Oh woah, that is too insensitive of you, Bogart. I can't imagine Jamie being tortured."

Bogart: "Oh sorry, but it could be possible. Jamie saw it in his dream."

Tonton: "Yes, it is. But I pray he is not being tortured or experimented right now. As for me, I do not know yet if it will also happen to me. It could happen to the two of you, too."

Kiko: "Yes, an evil man like Dr. Alvarado could do anything he wishes. I am so mad now."

Bogart: "Me as well. I want to punch Dr. Alvarado."

Tonton: "I am very furious, too."

Tonton clinched his fist and unable to contain himself, tears began streaming from his eyes. Jamie had been his best friend since they were babies and it made his heart ache to think that his friend was being inflicted with sorrow and sufferings. Bogart and Kiko saw Tonton's tears and they could not also help but weep.

Soon, their emotions subsided and they went back to Bogart's room to make some plans.

Bogart: "So how do we rescue Jamie from the facility? There will be an event there tomorrow afternoon."

Kiko: "I think we can use that to our advantage."

Bogart: "What do you mean?"

Kiko: "There will be many people in the place. While everybody is busy, we will sneak inside and get Jamie."

Bogart: "Will we not get caught?"

Kiko: "Not if we will be very careful."

Bogart: "Can we really do this? We are just kids."

Tonton: "No, we will not be coming alone. We will call for backups."

The two looked at Tonton who smiled mischievously back at them. They spent the remainder of the afternoon finalizing their plans. When they were done, they separated with satisfaction. Tonton and Kiko went home after dropping by quickly at someone's house while Bogart contemplated with what to do with his assignment that night....