All Chapters of PRE-ASSUMED: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

11:36 P.M.Everything went black. The world around me was deafeningly quiet. The only sensations I had were the hands-on my waist. It was from the person who picked me up and loaded me onto something that resembled a seat. I struggled to move because someone tightly clasped together both of my hands. Something that felt like a thick rope held my hands in place. I couldn’t even move my feet, as they were confined to each other. I tried shaking my head sideways but stopped when I came to realize that even a slight movement would cause me to crash down from where I was lying.Then I heard a sudden thud and the sound of moving feet. After a few countable steps, it came to a halt. I tried to refine my listening skills, but I couldn’t hear a single voice or sound after a few minutes. After what seemed like an eternity, I could finally hear whispering. Then there was a sudden roar of an engine, and something moved. I could feel the movement, which made me believe I was lying down in the car

12:37 A.M.In Hotel La' More Room No. 902.....After fifteen minutes, the kidnapper who called himself Captain called again. However, this time a squad of police officers assisted Jim.If you're wondering how they got this far so quickly, consider this: Well, his name is Jimothy Patterson, and it should be enough for everyone to do what he asks, and when Nathanial is added to the equation, the world is on their feet.The police set all up to apprehend the suspect who was playing with them. Jim reserved a new and larger room in the same hotel where he and Nathan could hammer out the kidnapping squabble with the squad of investigators assigned to the case.“You criminal seems to be a lot more punctual than I thought,” Jim said as soon as he answered the Captain’s call. He put the phone on speaker so that Nathan could easily hear him.“And you seem to be even more confident than before. I presume that you have called the back-up to catch us.” The Captain told him.“It’s just a matter of

2:22 A.M.“Are you familiar with osteomyelitis?” The Bossman was curious.“Excuse me, what?” William was confused.“Your father is an orthopaedist, and you don’t know what that means?” The Bossman questioned Willy.“Not me, but my dad. I work as a makeup artist…..” The kidnapper cuts him off.“I understand you work in a salon as a professional. But I am sure your new friend is mindful of this illness, don’t you, Ivy?” I nodded in agreement.Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bones. If not treated promptly, it will weaken the bone to the point that you have no choice but to cut it, and in the worst-case situation, amputation is the only option.“Since you have decided not to speak, I will explain. Osteomyelitis is an infection that spreads or contaminates the bone to the extent where it is as good as dead. There is no other way but to get rid of it.” The Bossman elaborated.“How does that relate to us?” Willy inquired.It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why we are here.“You a

3:10 A.M.In Hotel La' More Room No. 902.....Jim and Nathan were delving into Jonathan Stone’s case file with diligence. It’s been nearly two hours since the Captain called. But, as he said, he never broke his deal. They could see their children via the live stream to which they had been allowed access. Except for the fact that Ivanka and William’s hands and legs were tied, they seemed to be in decent shape. They could also hear what they were saying, but there was no way their kids knew that their fathers could listen to them.“We tried so hard that neither of them ever met and look at us. Here we are at this crossroads,” Jim said to Nathan.“What more could we have done? At the very least, our secrets are safe. Our kids know nothing about us.” Nathan told his friend.“How long, though? They may not be aware about us, but the kidnapper does. So, we will be good only till we comply with them. Perhaps we should not have called the police. Things would have gone even more smoothly.” Ji

3:35 A.M.When Jim saw an unfamiliar number on his cell, he quickly told the officer-in-charge. Jim picked up the phone after a signal from the respective officer and kept it on speaker. The Captain interrupted him before he could say anything.“Hello Doc, I believe you have read the case file and are well prepared to do this surgery.” The Captain got right to the point.“It is not as simple as you think...” The Captain cut Jim off before he could stall.“It seems that you do not love you, kids, as you pretend to.”Nathan asked, “Excuse me?”“You heard me loud and clear, so don’t pretend as you didn’t. Anyway, it’s now 3:37 A.M. I want you, doctors, to get ready to operate from 5:30 A.M., giving you over a hundred minutes. You will receive your advance in ten minutes, and after Jonathan is recovered, you will receive the pending price. All the preparation and formalities in consideration to the patient have been done. He’s been taken to the hospital, which is about a block away from y