The rest of the days went on in a blur, without the realization of days and nights. Keeping all alter instincts, emotions and limits aside. All eyes, brains and hands worked towards one single goal, the end of the Wizards.

Finally, it was the evening before the ambush. The clock seemed to be ticking faster than usual and hours seemed to be missing out on minutes. After a long meeting among the Hawks and the police team headed by Jacob, under the supervision of the intelligence, the last strings were finally tied up before they shook their hands and wished each other luck for the next morning. It was going to be a big day, indeed.

Madeline enters inside her house at sunset and closes the door from inside. She unzipped her boots and places it in the shoe rack and slumped on the couch. Rested her head on the rest, closed her eyes and took slow deep breaths. After a few deep breaths, she opened her eyes and looked straight up at the ceiling. Her eyebrows started to crease up,  reflecting signs of insecurity.  She  leaned towards the counter beside the couch ,grabbed her cell phone and dialed Jacob's number.

Jacob: Maddie!
Madeline(muttered): Hey.

Jacob sensed the hint of worry, in her voice.

Jacob(in a softer tone): All....good at your end?

Madeline: Yeah...Hmm...Uhmm....totally. I just called to check on you.

Jacob: Spit it out, already.
Madeline(exhaling deeply): This shall pass, right?
Jacob:.......
Madeline:...and...everything will fall in place, get back to normal. Right?

Jacob: Are you getting a cold feet?

Madeline: No. I am not. In fact, after all these years, I could finally avenge myself......and mom..I...I should be excited, but....

Jacob:.....but what?

Madeline: Umm... nothing. I must be just overthinking.

Jacob: Look, If you mean, a page in the book, yes it will be over. But, the fight will never. If you want me to be honest, people are going to get hurt. But, take my advice on this, sister. Beyond the dark alley, there is always a light, awaiting us. Follow that light, you will never ever get a cold feet. We accepted this life, we will die by it. And, I will always be there for you, as always.
Madeline: Thank you for everything you have done for me. I owe you, big. But, I don't trust him and his men. Just don't.......get yourself killed.

Jacob burst into laughter at her words.

Jacob: I have been in this profession, for long. Nothing will go wrong.

Madeline(stern): And, I was joking

Jacob(clearing his throat): Okay, cool. I escaped narrow deaths several times. Don't worry. I will be fine. Now, you need to clear off your mind and get into a good sleep. Tomorrow's a big day. Yeah?

Madeline: Yeah!

Jacob: All the best!

Madeline: Thanks. You too.

------------------------------------------------------

It was 10 pm, when all the men gathered at the department, queued up with armours ready to take any hit.

Jacob, Jackson and Madeline stood at one side of the room facing the army, hands crossed.

Jacob(started in a commanding tone): This is a do or die. Remember one thing, we won't get an opportunity, better than this. We are doing this for all the innocent lives that are trapped inside their dens. We need to give them back, the life they deserve. We have to avenge all those cries that were left unheard. All the sufferings that came without a cure....Even if anyone of us fails to see the sunrise, we still fight, till victory shines on us. That scim needs to DIE!! *sigh* Claros, is their any updates from your brother's side?

Jackson(moves head in denial): He has been waiting their but there are no movements till now. We can expect something by an hour.

Jacob nodded his head and moved towards Madeline: Maddie, what about Will?

Madeline: He has successfully installed the thermal cameras and microphones at the suitable places. All he needs is the clearance to switch them on.

Jacob: I guess, it's better if we do. I hope they are beyond the vicinity?

Madeline: They are. But, why didn't we go for air surveillance?

Jacob: Nah! that would have been too risky. We can't give them the benefit of doubt. Claros! Despite of the differences, we trusted you, blindly. I am asking you in a humble tone, don't fail us.

Jackson: I never did. I never will. We have the same goal and the same desperation. There is hardly any chance of a failure.

Jacob: *Sigh* Thank you!

Jackson: The pleasure would be mine, officer.

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It was 11:30 when they were on their way to the docks, after Will informed about the human activities that the devices could catch and Jereff confirmed the same. Everyone kept silent on their way as the car ran through the busy streets and gradually took more lonelier lanes. After, almost an hour, the car stopped at a spot considerably far from the probable vicinity. Everyone looked at each other and got down into a swampier ground, and as the headlights turned off, the only light that illuminated the area, seized, engulfing the place into complete darkness.

The only sound that overpowered the sound of the cricket was the footsteps as they carefully made their way to a safe place at the docks, hiding themselves from any visible space. Finally, they took their predefined places and pulled out their weapons.

Jacob spoke in a lower tone through his bluetooth, that connected the complete team.

Jacob: Will, we are in our positions. Update me with the movement.

Will: Yeah, As per visibility their are 9 men, standing at the main entrance, I guess they are awaiting the others.

Jacob: Anything else worth pointing at?

Will: They are heavily armed and seems...relaxed. But, we should expect more coming.

Jacob: Comrades, be ready with your team. Square 1?

Jereff: In position.

Jacob: Square 2?

Madeline: In position.

Jacob: Square 3?

Jackson: In position.

Jacob: Square 3, you are closest to the location of movement. I suggest you stay ready for any contingency. We still don't know what awaits us.

Jackson: I am, Captain.

Jacob scoffs.

Will: Jake!

Jacob: What is it?

Will: A heavy truck just pulled over. And, right you have 25 more men, to deal with.

Jacob: 25??

Will: No, wait! Not all of them seem the same. Claros' assumption remains absolutely correct. They have hostages.

Madeline: *sigh* How many of them could you make out ?

Will: 7 kids.

Jereff: Did you just say, kids?

Will: Yes, kids. Not even...teens.

Madeline: Jake, what now?

Jacob: We go as planned?

Jackson: But, there are kids. We can't risk them into this.

Jacob: Claros, we are not blenching.

Jackson: WE ARE NOT, BUT THE THINGS WERE DIFFERENT HOW WE PLANNED IT.

Madeline: Jake, we badly need to come up with a plan. We are dealing with children, here. They won't be able to save themselves in between the firings.

Jacob: I know it is risky.

Jereff: I have an idea. We had 25 people coming, seven of them are hostages, which means on a total we have 27 people to deal with. We are 30. how about 2 from each of our team devote themselves into rescuing the kids from the chaos?

Jacob: Hm. Let's do that. Teams? decide who is going to take that up.

Jacob: Okay, Square 2.! .....square2!! Do you copy? Lizzie..!!
Suddenly a debugging tone started to bang through the walkie talkie, annoying everyone. Jacob sensed that something was wrong.
Jacob: Sqaure 2, revert ASAP!!

A unknown voice replied this time, "Such a miserable team you have. Square 2.
As the voice played on the microphones, everyone on the either sides understood that things has now gone terribly wrong.

Jacob: Who the hell are you?
"The one you are spying?"
Jacob: Where is my team?
"Ha,Ha, They are fast asleep. I am amused, how smoothly you fell into the trap. We did not even had to move a finger."
Jacob(closing his eyes trying to keep his calm): Show your face. Now.. surrender. Or the consequences, you don,t even want to think about it. You have mislead the police.
"Surrender? Naae! Consequences? Well, you should as well, think about the counter consequences. You don't have a death wish for the little sniper in here, do you? What should I call her? Lizzie or Madeline. Now that her cover is out. I'll let you decide, what we should call her. She is coming with us, anyways. Our very own, Madeline. "
Jacob: I dare you, I FUCKING DARE YOU.
"Hahaha."
Jacob shoves the speaker on the ground and shouted the top of his voice, letting out all of his frustration,"FUCK!!"
Realizations washed over them. This was a trap and now it was too late to react. One of the teams were held in the crossfire and one wrong move can cost them their lives. Jackson took the matter into his hands.
Jackson: What do you want?
"Finally, we could hear you, Ex Boss. It's a pleasure to have you here."
Jackson: Lets cut to the chase, shall we?What do you want?
"We have a minimal demand, let us do our job and get out of here, without any threat."
Jackson: You'll give back, Madeline?
"When did I say that? We are here for, Madeline. A girl with a rifle ended up more vulnerable than a girl with a glass of scotch. Remember? Rex? We finally get her, what do you think we would do?"
Jacob picks up the phone to against his mouth: (in a frustrated tone)Show your faces, you asshole!
Jackson:If I were you, I would have chosen my life over pride.
"You want to see, what we choose?"
Jackson: I dare you, lay a finger on her!

Before, another response comes from the other side, the recurring sound of shots fired off a rifle, fills the docks.

Jacob: Noooo..!!

He crossed his arms, pulling through the back of his neck and squatted on the ground. Jackson on the other hand, stayed where he was, his breathing accelerated yet waiting for a better response from the either side.

Madeline: I am back, comrades.
Jacob got startled at the voice as he got up on his foot at once.
Jacob: Maddie! That was you?
Madeline: Uh Uh! *Panting* It was me. Two down.
Jereff: Madeline? Where are they exactly?
Madeline: Just maybe a 3 yards away from here.
Jereff: The kids are gone
Jacob: What do you mean, the kids are gone?
Jereff: The whole fucking thing was designed to keep our minds away from the kids.
Madeline: The kids ain't no where. No ship or boat left the docks. They are still here.
Jackson: What just happened?
Madeline: The released some form of sleeping gas to put everyone into deep slumber and after that they tried to get me kidnapped. (She walked out of the hideout in long steps with the rifle in her hand and continued in louder voice to make it audible) But, Too bad, he let his dogs do the filthy job. Maybe, he is too scared to show his rotten face. GET YOUR ASS OUT OF YOUR HOLE, YOU COWARD.
Jereff(whispering): The hell is she trying to do.
Jacob: Maddie, get back. They might be anywhere.
Madeline(scanning through the perimeter): That's exactly, what I want to know. Come out of your hideout. SHOW YOUR FACES. This isn't a strategic mission anymore. This, is War.!!

Jereff: Hold up, Officer! I can see movements.

Jacob: What is the number?

Jereff: Three. From the back of your alley. Jacob, watch out!!

Jacob(holding his gun up to his face): Gear up, men!

As the three men jumped in and pointed their gun at Jacob, he did not waste any minute and fired at them. Two of them fell dead and the third person who survived the bullet shower, was shot by Jereff from the opposite end. The silence came to an end, as three men fell dead. The other people who were busy moving the hostages rushed in with their weapons and the teams jumped out of their corners and started to fire.

Within seconds the place filled up with smoke and echoing sounds of bullets firing. Suddenly, Madeline felt a sharp hit at her back, and she fell with her face on the ground. She turned to see Corvett towering her with a rifle in his right hand and a grin in his face. She tried searching for her rifle she had with her, but it drifted away from her reach.

Corvett(as he pointed the weapon at her): The fiery little thing you turned into.

Madeline used this opportunity to kick straight into his ankles making his loose his balance and fall at his back. Madeline stood up at once and kicked him right into his crotch making him groan in pain.

Madeline(in a mocking tone): Oh Shoot, you failed, again. Let me tell you, you are not dealing with the same person, anymore. Trying to tie me up, was a wrong move. Rather a stupid move. What can I suggest? Umm.... you better take some to enjoy the bloodbath of your own men, before I put you into deep slumber.

Madeline turned around and walked in long steps to pick up her weapon. Corvett, kept lying on the wet ground ground, gritting his teeth and taking deep breaths in an attempt to waiver off the pain. After a while he stood up picking up his rifle, his face boiling with rage and vengeance. He started to scan the place for Madeline as now he had only one person in his hit list. As, he spotted Madeline, he started to lead himself towards her, who was engrossed in taking care of the enemies before her.

Jacob's eyes suddenly fell on Madeline and Corvett and he assumed the obvious consequences at once. He tried screaming out her name in order to alert her while dogding the attacks thrown at him. But, the environment was too chaotic for her too even sense it. Jacob was now left with only one option. He ran her way as fast as he could. Corvett, stopped and pointed his rifle towards Madeline. Jacob rushed towards Madeline and tightly wrapped his arms from her back, and suddenly a loud bang numbed her ears.