"Maybe we could also stage an uprising at that school. We already have a man there, let him take over and I don't mind having new fodder recruits for the upcoming war. It wouldn't be a bad thing." Alexander said.

"For the perfect game, all of the pieces must be in the correct place to score the checkmate," Lashley replied.

"It's been a long while my friend since we have been alone, you don't have to be so stiff," Lashley said. "Here, let me pour you some wine and let's reminisce."

"Yeah it has been a long while, it's just that I have gotten accustomed to this and I understand my role," Alexander said.

Alexander took a seat as Lashley passed him a glass with a large grin on his face. He took a big sip and then choked on it. Lashley laughed then nodded his head, "the best stuff in the city," he smiled. "You still can't hold your drinks down Alexander as usual."

"No, but I'm assuming I will be having a lot of time soon in the future to do all my practicing." Alexander responded.

***

It took a long while before they made it to the area of their destination; Mark sipped some water as he glanced over the street.

Mark had his men spread out over the last spotted area for the children; he did this as not to draw any level of suspicion. People here only responded to bribery. He waved some money at them once he believed they had any information worth telling and now he knew that some kids stayed at an apartment with a man. On arriving at the location, he gave the building a glance around. It didn't seem like where he would expect those kids to be but he had to go with it regardless. He gave an order for his men to position themselves in such a way that the people inside couldn't escape and then he casually walked towards the door. He wanted to give the element of surprise to them and catch the kids off guard. He could hear noise coming from inside and he gave the door a loud knock. Having received no response, he knocked again; still nothing. He signaled to the other guy next to him and he kicked the door; once, twice before it swung open.

They pulled out their guns and entered the house cautiously. There were traces of someone being there; a wet towel, kid stuff: a girl maybe. Before he could take the time to fully study anything in detail, a gunshot rung out from outside. He heard one of his men cursing in frantic screams as he heard a barrage of bullets which seem to be coming from different angles outside. He left the apartment to peer down over the balcony as a bullet whizzed past his head. He turned to see a man with a semi-auto handgun aimed at him who had just climbed up the stairs. He was barely able to react to the first shot, firing blindly without much time to aim. The bullet somehow managed to connect with the man's chest and he ducked himself instinctively back into the apartment.

He was positioned at the door and he turned his gun to face the stairs and continued firing blindly. There was no response and he repeated this just in case.

The other two men with him rushed out the apartment using the fire as cover, rotating shots at the wall. No other person was there, the shooting downstairs was still going on.

One guy guarded the stairs and the next started taking single shots from the top of the apartment.

What the hell was happening? Mark thought as he looked down again to see that his men were being attacked by about five men that he could see. They didn't really have that much ammunition and he knew this couldn't last. The best thing would be to fall back but to where he didn't know or how much the enemy knew of their strength or position.

He watched one of the attacking men fall, after being hit from above as the directions of the gunshots changed from just below to atop as well.

"Damn!" he shouted..............................

He heard another attacker fall but so too did one of his men.

That was the last one downstairs and he heard the sudden shout of the gunner positioned by the steps as he started to come under fire. He watched him take a few shots in return.

Mark pulled himself back into the house and was about to call for the other guy to do the same but it was too late. A bullet found its mark in his head as he was running back and two men ran passed him firing at Mark.

Mark got hit in the arm; he cringed in pain but manage to get himself inside the house as one man tried to enter. Mark managed to shoot him in the head but the last guy that followed shot Mark in the stomach, sending him falling back on the floor of the living room. Mark fired a shot as he fell and watched the other guy slowly dropped to the ground.

Damn, Mark thought. Damn this didn't go the way I thought it would. I am not so bad. I can survive this and make it back to the school; he tried to reassure himself as the pain from his shoulder and stomach kicked in.

After ten minutes Mark managed to get himself up. He used his shirt to suppress the bleeding in his stomach by pressing against the gunshot wound. Struggling to walk, He had to hold on to the side of the wall to get himself around. He knew he couldn't stay here much longer; more men might be on their way and he wasn't sure if any of his men were still alive.

He slowly walked out of the apartment holding his side. He took his time and moved forward gradually. One of the apartment doors opened slowly.

A man smoking a cigarette casually stepped out as though he didn't hear any of the gunfire in the area. Mark looked him over and saw behind him three kids, yes they were the children he was after. He could not mistake Natalya' face. He went to draw his gun but felt instead his body crashing down to the floor as he slumped over.