The boys continued walking until they light from the stairs disappeared. As it was dark, they groped on the wall and when Tonton touched a switchbox, he quickly pushed a switch and light automatically brightened the area. Indeed, it was not like Tonton had previously seen when he and Jamie sneaked into the building. It was already fully finished and furnished. Rooms were scattered everywhere and the hallway seemed to be an unending labyrinth.
"Where do we find Jamie in this maze?" Bogart asked helplessly.
"I don't know, too," Tonton answered. "This is crazy."
"It may take forever to find our friend."
"But we don't have forever. We need to find him real quick."
"Yes, we have to. Or else, Jamie will be in more trouble."
"Each passing minute that we waste is also a minute of life and death for him."
They became silent, saddened and worried upon realizing the urgency of finding their friend.
"So what do we do now?" Bogart inquired.
"We must open all these rooms," Tonton answered with strong determination. "He could be here anywhere and we must try every door."
Bogart nodded with eagerness, affected by Tonton's strong will. Quickly, he produced the keys from his pocket and tried the first door. He tried one key and when it did not fit, he tried one more, then another and another until the last key. Not one fitted the hole.
"Oh my," Bogart gasped and looked at his friend with teary eyes. "The key to this door is not here."
"Oh no," Tonton answered in panic. "We should have brought all the keys from the control room."
"This is bad. We did not think of this."
"Come on, we can't give up now. There are still plenty of doors to try."
They went to the next door, but again, they were unsuccessful. They went to the next and the next until they reached the door in a corner that opened to an aisle. A key went in but Bogart had trouble turning it.
"It fits but it's hard," he said.
"Let me try."
Tonton lent a hand but a sound suddenly was heard from the main door, the one that led them downstairs.
"What's that noise?" Bogart asked with wide eyes.
"I think it was a door opening."
Then they heard the swinging of a door and a gentle click as it closed.
"Yes, it is a door," Tonton announced in confirmation.
"Who could it be?"
Soft footsteps on the concrere stairs then echoed in the silence.
"Could they be Kiko and Mang Tomas?" Bogart asked.
"I am not sure. It could be some other peope, too."
The footsteps quickened. The boys instantly panicked with the escalating sounds.
"We need to go now," Tonton said.
"This door would not open yet."
"Let's just go back. We should not get caught now."
Forcibly, Bogart pulled the key out of the hole. The effort sent him flying on the floor. Tonton helped him up and quickly, they ran. They turned around the corner but the sudden change of direction jarred Tonton that he tripped and fell. He lay on the floor and the overhead lights momentarily blinded him.
He squinted his eyes, trying to see clearly again but all he saw were smoke and fogs. He rubbed his eyes several times but only gray clouds met his sight. His hands quivered, fearing the things he saw. He felt like he was in another place, somewhere more mysterious and dangerous.
"Here," a voice whispered.
Tonton looked around but he saw nothing but haze. He stood up and walked through the clouds. He heard a distant groan and by the sound of the voice, he knew it was Jamie. He sounded like he was in so much pain and misery.
"Jamie!" he called out loud.
The groan became more distinct as he walked faster. It was getting louder so he finally ran.
"Hang in there, man!" he pleaded. "We are coming!"
He cried as he ran. It seemed like he was running forever in the vagueness. Suddenly, light shone and the clouds lifted. He was in the building again. He was in front of a room in the corner of a hallway. On top of the door was the inscription "002".
Tonton felt a violent shaking until his vision faded and he woke up again. Bogart was holding him strongly on his shoulders as he was calling his name. He was on the floor and though plenty had seemed to happen, it was only a few seconds since he tripped and fell when they rounded the corner.
"What happened?" Bogart asked him anxiously.
"I had a vision again," he answered. "I think I know now where he can find Jamie."
The footsteps from the stairs became even louder. Tonton quickly stood up and led the way. The walked rapidly down the hallway and looked at the doors.
"What door are we searching for?"
"It has the numbers zero zero two on it."
"Okay, I just hope we got the keys to that door."
Tonton nodded tentatively. His friend was right. Even if they found the room but did not have the right key, then it would be a big trouble. Plus more minutes of suffering for Jamie. Tonton looked at the doors on their left while Bogart took the right side. And then, Bogart screamed in excited happiness.
"Here it is!" he announced.
Indeed, the important door was finally right before them. Tonton's heart beat even louder. His vision could not be wrong. Jamie should be inside. Reflexively, Bogart rummaged his pocket and took out the keys. One by one, they tried them. Several excruciating seconds passed by and still no key fitted in the keyhole. Panic and discouragement overwhelmed them as they reached the final key. One last key and their first attempt to rescue their friend would be in vain. They could not afford that and do things over again. Bogart slowly inserted the key and to his enthusiasm, it fitted and in one turn, the knob clicked and the door opened.
Bogart swung the door opened. They gasped. The room was dark but since the hallway was lit, they could see everything inside. They saw a hospital bed in the middle of the room and some equipment beside it. They did not care about those but to the person lying on the bed. It was not moving and it was as pale as moonlight.
They wanted to cry but the horror stopped them. The body was Jamie's and it was heartlessly strapped on the bed. In their eyes, their friend looked like dead....