168 Trapped in Captivity

Due to their synchronized watches, the plan was realized. All doors were tightly locked and the furnace above the granite house started to release the smoke mixed with potion, as replacement for poison suggested that George disagreed. At least with potion, the captives will just be tied up and become prisoners of war by the Filipino soldiers.

An hour later, half of the Filipino army and a few armed men from the insular troop went down and manuevered. They found the unconscious opponents scattered on the ground and as instructed, they tied them individually and brought them above. It took them for two hours to transfer them all on the surface. After the successful attack, more Filipino soldiers arrived and fetched the captives and brought them all to their hideout, miles away. At around 0400 hours, captain Orlando from the commonwealth soldiers bade goodbye to captain Edward of the Insular troop; and the meaningful acquaintance that lasted for just hours turned out memorable.

" We've found out now why the opponents kept pointing us, as culprits whenever your troop dropped them down; those ghost attacks they thought were 'us' makes me smile now. For instance, there was one attack that we're in the west but suddenly they backed off and thought our teammates were sent eastward and pissed them off as well. Huh! thank you captain Edward. From now on, we'll send you updates, backup supplies and newsfeeds from generous sources." Captain Orlando uttered.

" Grateful on how you have helped us last night." Captain Edward said and they shook their hands.

Then the insular command has left as George and company quickly cleaned up the mess around the area. They covered the door below the previous wooden house with thicker soil; pebbles were piled up on the ground to chiefly hide the tunnel's central door.

After a round the clock physical exhaustion, George and the rest were flat on beds inside the tunnel. Meanwhile, Magee and Damian were conversing in room number 7.

" Damian, whatever happens, this room remains our secret room, is that a deal?" Magee smiled on him.

" Yes mama, you kept reminding me on thus, but why?" Damian bit his finger nail.

" This is my baby's room, someday. she / he should gave privacy. This will become my baby's hiding place too."

" But there's no baby yet." Damian whispered.

" Yes, for now. One day, we'll gonna have one or .. more." Magee smiled.

" What? haha...you'll gonna take care of my future children...interesting. But...your family might search for you after the war, how is that?"

" Hmm...I don't know either, Mama. Perhaps, I'll gonna stay. I feel that this is the safest place on earth. There's even a forest in this room and all. Yeah...I missed my mother but she gave up on me and..."

" Oh dear...enough. They both have faced complicated situations. Though, your father rarely feels human, you know. If only you knew . Hah! but you're too young to understand it all, later when you grow up." She nestled her palm on his hair.

" I don't like to comment too." He smiled at her.

" Haha! you're a funny boy. You speak like an old man, yeah, those soldiers who took good care of you when you're in your early childhood were noble caretakers, you know that? they've raised you well."

" They talked to me things like economic changes and politics, and many more. But still they played games with me. I missed them..." Then the boy sat back and rearranged his clay toys.

" Hmm...how are you feeling...I'm sorry."

" Ah, Mama...someone's getting inside the first room, did you hear it, its definitely Papa."

" Hmm...it seems not. Listen carefully...carefully, shh..."

" Its too slow...right? Papa also don't usually close doors. He only closes the first door and leave 2nd to 6th open. So...who is that?" The boy asked her.

" Correct, George don't close every door if we don't go outdoors for too long. It must be a stranger, how come? only Narciso and Albrecht knew this room, aside from Dad and Amá."

" Mama...the person is nearing to room number 7, the latest door being closed it seems at fifth..."

" It seems...Oh dear, this room's door isn't locked yet." Then Magee slowly tiptoed and motioned towards the door and tried to silently lock it. However, it created an annoying, ticking sound that echoed all over. Outright she carried Damian; removed a handgun hanged on the wall and she readied to open the daylight optic hole for a possible escape.

" Mama...the stranger didn't return. The doors to fourth, third, second and first weren't opened, right? That one's scary too." Damian whispered.

" Yeah...quiet...the person didn't move...still staying in room number five. What is he/she doing there?" She put back Damian on the floor and removed his shoes.

" Mama, why you removed my shoes...aren't we escape?"

" No...not yet. We'll just remove our footwear so that we can't produce any noise. We'll stay a bit and observe the movement of that stranger. Papa might be at risk, we need to have a plan."

" Mama, we gotta get out on the surface and go down to the tunnel."

" Not yet...the daylight optic hole will surely create a noise if we take our exit. I guess...that's a man. Our doors were heavy, but he pulled them just in one pull and there. Women can't do it that way."

" Wow...I never thought of that..." Damian whispered.

Magee smiled despite the tension and looked at him. It's been three hours but the doors weren't closed again.

" Mama...I'd like to pee."

" Have you seen that flowing water on the corners...you may pee there." Magee whispered.

"So... its designed as a urinal too?" He whispered.

" Shh....no, we'll gonna use it just for now when we're trapped here. Its how usually people do whenever there are emergencies and crisis situations."

" Ah...I see." Damian motioned slowly toward the flowing water but they both heard that the sixth door was locked. So Damian haven't peed yet slowly ran towards Magee and hugged her.

" Mama...he's in the next room!" He whispered .