103 Reunited (2)

Stealthily, Mang Tomas and Kiko entered the door and went down the basement. To their relief, there was light everywhere.

"Tonton and Bogart are already here, right?" Kiko asked excitedly.

"Yes, it is possible," Mang Tomas answered and smiled at the boy.

"Why possible? Could other people be here?"

The old man nodded.

"They could be the ones who opened the door and lights. Or some people did. So we must still be very careful. Our enemies could be around here lurking."

Kiko understood him. He and his friends had separated ways and besides rescuing Jamie, they also needed to find each other. The enemy had almost caught them back in the control room and it could happen again. If it would be an unfortunate turn of events for them this time around, the enemy could success and finally catch them. They could not let that happen.

"This place looks bigger than I thought," he addressed the old man. "How do we find my friends here?"

"We just have to keep looking around. If they carry the right keys, then these rooms should be opened by now."

"Then we should check if they are locked or not."

Mang Tomas nodded. Quickly, they went from one room to another and tried each door. Not one was unlocked and there seemed to be no one inside them. There was no other sound in the basement area but the rattling of the door knobs.

"I'm feeling hopeless already," Kiko complained. "This is a big place and rooms are everywhere. It's like a huge puzzle and we are looking for one piece from it."

"Yes, it's getting exhausting actually," Mang Tomas said sadly. "I feel tired already."

Kiko ran up to the old man and held him by his arm.

"Hang on there, Mang Tomas. If only I could give some of my energy to you, then I would have done it gladly. But then, you are a strong man despite your age."

Mang Tomas reached out and ruflled the child's soft curls.

"Don't fool me, young man. I might just believe you."

"I am telling the truth!"

Kiko flashed a wide grin which made Mang Tomas smiled.

"Come on, we'd better get going now," the old man suggested. "There are still a handful of doors to try."

They walked and tried again more rooms until they reached the last door before a corner turn. Mang Tomas breathed and then exhaled audibly before he reached out and touched the door knob. To his suprise, the door was not locked. He moved his point finger and gave it a light push. In response, the door swung and opened wide.

A strong stench got expelled from the room. It was like the smell of sweat, urine and blood. It was the smell of pain, suffering, and surrender. The odor was too strong that Mang Tomas and Kiko stepped back.

The room was dark inside but since the door swung wide, light poured in and exposed what was inside. Mang Tomas and Kiko gaped at the horror they saw. There was a man inside, covered with blood and bruise. His legs, spread wide apart, were tied separately to concrete blocks. A metal pole extended from each block and on top of the pole, his arms were also tied. It must have a been strong knot as the ropes were able to hold the almost lifeless man. All his weight depended on the rope so that it already created deep cuts on his arms and legs. Though his head was bowed down low, Mang Tomas and Kiko feared who they suspected the man was. Eerie seconds passed by and not one of them spoke or moved.

"It's Loduvico, right?" Kiko finally broke the silence. His voice trembled from fear and sadness.

"It looks like him," Mang Tomas answered while trying to hold his tears that were about to drop.

It was an ugly and messy sight that he regretted letting the child see it. It was already too late to stop him and in one way or another, he would be able to see it, especially if it was really Loduvico. Slowly, he stepped forward. Their voices must have been strong enough because the seemingly dead body heard them and began to twitch. He shook his right hand tentatively, and then his left. Mang Tomas stopped on his track and waited. Suddenly, the man moved his head up and looked at them.

"Help," he managed to speak in a broken hoarse voice before losing his consciousness again.

It was indeed Loduvico. Quickly, Mang Tomas ran forward and held him. Gently, he pushed him back so that his body leaned backwards. Kiko also stepped forward and approached Mang Tomas uncertainly.

"Let's set Loduvico free," Mang Tomas said with conviction. "I want you to hold his legs strongly while I untie his arms slowly."

Kiko nodded and with his scrawny arms, he held Loduvico's left leg. Mang Tomas reached into his side pocket and produced an imitation Swiss knife. He smiled. That knife had been with him for decades already and it was handy at all times. With his left arm, he reached behind Loduvico and supported the young man's back. He flicked the knife open with his other hand and reached into the rope that held Loduvico's right arm. He hacked the rope violently and with one finak stroke, it broke loose and fred Loduvico. Automatically, the latter fell onto Mang Tomas. The old man momentarily lost balance but with one strong stamp, he regained his footing again. Next, he reached out to the other rope and also successfully released Loduvico's left arm. The man was now leaning all his weight to Mang Tomas with a little help from Kiko who was clinging tightly to Loduvico's leg.

"This is the harder part now," Mang Tomas said to Kiko. "I wany you to release his leg now. Then take this knife and cut the ropes on his legs and feet. Be very careful, this knife is very sharp."

Kiko nodded and quickly executed the instruction. He took the knife from Mang Tomas and forcefully hacked the ropes. It was harder than he thought. After minutes which seemed like eternity, Loduvico was finally released. The rescue got Mang Tomas tired so that he took several steps back and leaned on the wall while still holding Loduvico.

"Thank God I still have strength," he whispered.

"I am right," Kiko announced. "You are still strong."

Mang Tomas smiled. What he did was unbelievable and having the child with him made him feel like he was capable of doing anything. They were in this celebratory mood when they heard a door bang from a distance.

"What's that noise?" Kiko quickly voiced out. "It was like a door closing."

"Yes, it was," Mang Tomas answered. "We need to get out of here now. We can't stay here any longer with Loduvico with us."

"What about Jamie?"

"We can go back. Besides, your friends are also here to save him. For now, what is more important is to get this man out of here. He needed to be safe as soon as possible."

"Then let's get out of here."

"This man is just too heavy. I am not sure if I could lift him going up the stairs. We need to try another way."

"How about the elevator?"

Mang Tomas thought for a while. Indeed, they earlier found an elevator near the doctor's office. It should connect to the basement area. They could try for that.

"That's a good idea," he answered. "Then let's find the elevator. I believe it is just nearby."

Just then, another sounds were heard from the stairs. They were footsteps coming down. Indeed, Mang Tomas and Kiko must get out of the basement area now....