"Come on, boys," Mang Tomas ordered the Biker Brothers. "We'd better join the crowd."
"What?" Kiko asked in disbelief. "This is your plan?"
"Yes, of course," the old man replied. "We have to blend with the crowd. We must not move suspiciously. Let's join them in the tour-"
"Then we'll break free and go at the back of the building," Bogart interrupted.
Mang Tomas nodded.
"And then we'll raid the control room or whatever it is called," Tonton said.
The three nodded in understanding. Finally, they had a solid plan. Carefully, they entered the building and joined the people. Everyone was busy talking so the boys and Mang Tomas easily slipped in.
"Where is the door going to the back?" Kiko asked.
"I think it is there," Tonton answered and pointed at the right direction.
"Are you sure?" Bogart then asked.
"Not really, but I think I am right. When I and Jamie went here last time, I saw a way leading out through this way."
"Alright," Mang Tomas said, "let's go that way. I think it is our best chance."
Slowly, they walked backwards towards the end of the queue. There were several offices in that direction but Mang Tomas was quite certain there was a door there leading to the back. When they were finally a good distance from the last person in the crowd, he gently clapped his hands.
"Hurry, boys," Mang Tomas said. "Follow me."
They walked briskly and were about to enter an open door when a voiced spoke from behind them.
"Where are you going?" a man's voice reverberated in the empty hallway. "You are not supposed to be here."
Their hearts beat wildly. They had just been caught and they needed to do something to escape the man. So far, no one had seemed to think of anything. They were about to turn their heads around when the lights suddenly went off. Ladies and children screamed in panicky surprise.
"Come on," Tonton said sternly and quickly took Mang Tomas' and Kiko's hands.
He pulled them strongly, beckoning them to follow him. Swiftly, Mang Tomas grabbed Bogart's shoulder and the four ran as hard as they could while holding each other. Tonton led them on reflex and before they knew it, Mang Tomas grabbed hold of a door handle. It appeared to be locked but after a vehement shaking, the handle gave in and the door opened. The four instantly inhaled the night's cold breeze and smiled, believing they succeeded. Bogart jumped in joy but he lost footing and balance that he tripped over, knocking down his buddies as well so that the four of them fell on the moist grass. They chuckled, happy for their first success for the night.
"Get yourselves together, boys," Mang Tomas commented as he stood up. "We are still starting."
Immediately, the three friends stood up and shook off the leaves and dirt clinging on their short pants.
"This is weird," Kiko voiced out. "Only this building lost electricity."
"Yeah," Bogart agreed. "There are lights everywhere except here."
Indeed, the surroundings were brilliant with bright light while the medical facility was covered with darkness. It was truly an opportunity they could not pass.
"Over here," Mang Tomas, who was now standing in front of a small separate structure, called them. "I think this is the control room."
The three ran up to him. Mang Tomas touched the handle and to his surprise, the door was not locked so he instantly opened it. He smiled at the boys who immediately ran inside the building.
"It's pitch dark here," Kiko said matter-of-factly.
"Let me handle our light," Bogart said who quickly produced a flashlight from his backpack. The light casted a large round glow on a wall.
"Let's find the keys," Tonton barked.
The three nodded and they quickly rushed through every shelves and hooks.
"I found some keys here!" Bogart yelled excitedly upon grabbing a handful of keys. "But this a great bunch."
"That's a problem," Kiko said. "We don't know which ones we needed."
"Worry about that later," Mang Tomas remarked. "Let's get out of here now."
Bogart placed the keys on his short pants' side pockets. They gathered together and carefully went out of the building.
"Another success for us!" Bogart declared with his face beaming with happiness.
The three smiled with him. It seemed they were going the right way. Bogart opened the back door of the main building and instantly went in. Tonton followed behind him when a voice suddenly spoke from inside.
"What can some kids possibly do in this part of the building?" a voice said angrily.
Bogart and Tonton ran back outside but the man chased them. Kiko and Mang Tomas saw what happened. Reflexively, Kiko tried giving the man a kick in the butt but his foot landed on his knee. Caught surprised, the man tripped over and fell on the ground.
"Run!" Kiko shouted.
Immediately, Bogart and Tonton sprinted back inside the building. Kiko was about to follow but the man grabbed his right leg.
"Let me go!" Kiko screamed.
Mustering all his strength, Mang Tomas kicked the man on the face. He tried to evade but the kick lightly brushed his mouth and nose. The man groaned in pain. Quickly, Mang Tomas picked Kiko up and ran towards the building. He did not dare look back. He knew he was an old man already but this adventure enabled him to see clearly through the darkness and ran while carrying a kid. Plus, he was able to give a big guy a good strong kick. Mang Tomas closed the door once they were inside the building. Meanwhile, the man recovered his senses and stood up, but instead of chasing after the invaders, he went to the control room.
Mang Tomas paused and took a deep breath. They walked a certain distance, hoping to regroup with Bogart and Tonton. Suddenly, the lights went back. The building was once again covered with blinding light. They saw the crowd in the educational tour earlier and without second thought, they joined them. To their dismay, they could not find their friends in the crowd. Unfortunately, they got separated....