July 1st, 3:40 PM Eastern Time, near the border of the 2nd Atlantic District. Ramsey walked along a stream that bubbled alongside the road that the Patriots were following. According to Kinsey, they were only two days from reaching the capital. Two days away from his grand plan reaching its conclusion. Ramsey had a lot of time to contemplate the details, the contingencies, and the consequences. He knew what he had to do, and he had no reservation in any of his decisions. This part was the most boring, but he took advantage of the brief peace to contemplate the fourth dimension.

Kinsey walked next to him like a watchdog, making sure the surroundings were safe. Ramsey was certain that Kinsey was bluffing about the bipedal deer, but why would he lie about that? Was he trying to make sure the groups were extra precautious with wildlife? Kinsey did not strike Ramsey as a liar. Ramsey brushed it off as he focused on the path ahead. Kinsey spoke up as they reached a clearing in the woods.

"Say Rams... what's your plan after you usurp the government an all of that..." Ramsey looked at Kinsey in amusement.

"I haven't thought about that yet. I don't think I will need to do anything. Everything is going to change though." Ramsey said with a smirk.

"Will there be peace? Will it be a perfect world after that?" Kinsey said in optimism. Ramsey laughed.

"Now I ask you: what can be expected of a man endowed with such strange qualities? Shower him with earthly blessings, drown him in happiness completely, over his head, so that only bubbles pop up on the surface of happiness, as on water." Ramsey said softly. Kinsey looked confused. "Make no mistake Kinsey, I am not your savior. The inquisitors are not your enemy. I am not going to introduce a utopia. Humans' deepest desire is war and I intend on delivering that to its fullest extent." Ramsey said looking sedated. Kinsey glanced over at Ramsey with a curious look on his face.

"So then if the government isn't our enemy, who is?"

"Have you ever wondered how I got my abilities, Kinsey?" Ramsey said while looking at his missing finger. Kinsey listened intently. "I got them by looking into the heart of a black hole. I lived in a different dimension for nearly a week. I observed the qualities of that dimension, the nature of it. It confused me. When I found out my parents were killed by inquisitors, I was sure that whoever could do such a thing was the enemy, but after looking back to my time in the fourth dimension... whoever exists in the realm, the embodiment of entropy, that's the enemy."

After Ramsey finished his diatribe, the both of them walked in silence for the rest of the evening till they found a safe site to set up camp.

Agent Larisa swung her backpack over her shoulder and hopped out of the truck at the edge of the woods. 15 agents behind her did the same. She did a headcount and then raised her right hand as they all lined up.

"This is a mission of stealth. We are not to be detected but to observe. By no means engage with the enemy. We have tracked them with a cellular device, you will have access to their whereabouts on your own gps. While walking through these woods, it is imperative that you focus on the mission, so disregard wildlife and ignore any sort of call for help from afar. When we locate the target, we are too follow them and brief Agent #13 on any intel we can gather. If...you are found, neutralize the target quickly and quietly."

Larisa dropped her hand and each agent quickly burst into the forest like wolves hunting a rabbit. Larisa turned around and followed. As she silently traveled deeper into the woods she couldn't help but think about her conversation with Agent #13.

"Larisa, there is a reason inquisitors have avoided the Appalachian Mountains since the Soviet's assumed power. Strange things happen within those woods. We have lost men. My old unit never made it out alive, I was the only survivor" Larisa tried to ask Agent #13 about what was within the woods but he was reluctant to not answer. His words carried on in her head. "Ignore wildlife, or any foreign calls for help." Shivers ran down Larisa's spine as she dashed through the woods. She looked down at her phone, they should intercept the Patriots in 3 short hours. "Also Larisa, I have a favor to ask you." Larisa shook her head at his words. Agent #13 was truly an insane man.

Abel and Ida reached the campsite and set up their tent. Thoughts constantly rushed through Abel's mind, he was going insane. What has happened to his parents? Are they being held hostage? Are these creatures that Kinsey spoke about going to ambush him? What will Ida think if he leaves? Why is this Alice girl trying to flirt with him? Abel was reaching his breaking point as nervous sweat rolled down his brow.

"Abel." Ida said while grabbing his shoulders. "Are you sick? What's wrong?" She said while wiping his forehead with a rag.

"I'm fine... seriously." He said back. Ida looked at him suspiciously.

"Well, look alive, we have a meeting at the fire before we go to sleep." Abel and Ida walked to the small fire lit at the center of the camp. Alice followed closely behind like a puppy dog. She caught up to Abel and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey, Abel. Don't worry, I'm nervous too. All of this is a lot." Alice said with a reassuring smile. Abel took a deep breath. It was relieving to have someone relate to him. Although, he didn't want Ida to think he was flirting with her. So he kept his answer brief.

"Yeah.. all of this is pretty crazy, isn't it." Abel said. Alice grabbed his arm and walked alongside him. Abel wanted her to let go but didn't know what to say. Ida's eyes shot daggers at Alice.

"Having someone who cares about you helps in moments like this, trust me." Alice said while looking longingly into Abel's eyes. Ida intervened.

"Abel, just ignore her. Let's go find out what Ramsey has to say." They continued walking but Abel couldn't help but hear something from deep within the woods. It was a soft voice. His blood ran cold. Like a soft whisper, he heard someone say "press start."

"No... no it can't be." Abel said out loud. Ida and Alice looked at him in confusion. Abel dropped to the ground with tears rolling down his eyes. "Not that... not that." Ida ran to his side and hoisted him up.

"Abel, let's go find someone who can help. You're not ok."

"The voices. From the woods. How does it know that?" Abel said frantically. Ida looked seriously concerned. She put Abel's arm around her shoulder and carried him to Kinsey. They found him sitting on a fallen tree trunk whittling a stick.

"Kinsey... Abel heard some voices from the woods... Please tell me it's just in his head." Ida said in a concerned voice. Kinsey's expression changed instantly. He got up and crouched down to look at Abel.

"His eyes are telling me that what he heard was real... Hey kid, what did you hear?" Abel was short of breath from the panic attack and his voice was stuttering.

"I— I don't wanna say it... again." Kinsey's eyes sharpened.

"Eureka... he actually heard one. Go report to Ramsey. Instruct everyone to set up their tents close together. And burn a bigger fire." Kinsey finished giving orders and then looked into the dark woods. He recalled what Ramsey said earlier about the entity within the fourth dimension. Were the real enemies amongst them?

Paul happened to pass Abel as he was being helped away from Kinsey. Arthur instantly jumped next to Ida and helped her carry. Paul asked Kinsey what happened out of concern. Kinsey straightened out his cowboy hat as he surveyed the surroundings.

"I believe the enemy is surrounding us."

"The enemy? Inquisitors?"

"No. The Smiling Stag. Your buddy heard voices from the woods, that isn't a good sign, isn't it." Paul was shocked. His anxiety continued to climb as he searched frantically for Ramsey. He found him eventually. He was listening to Ida, Abel had apparently been brought to a tent. Paul ran up and frantically tried to get Ramsey's attention, but he was seemingly ignoring him.

"RAMSEY!" His gaze finally met Paul's.

"Do you want them to find us, Paul?" Ramsey said back with an annoyed tone.

"Do I use it? Do I go back and prevent this from happening? We can pick a different path. Anything." Paul said with heavy breaths. Ramsey got up and clasped his hand on his shoulder. His eyes widened as soon as he made contact with Paul.

"Wake up, Paul. Be ready for anything to happen." Ramsey said as he brushed past him and disappeared into the crowd. Paul stood still as news slowly broke from within the crowd. Panic ensued as people moved their tents closer to the fire. Anxious chatter erupted as people tripped over one another and collided as they busily prepared for the worst.

"Snap." A branch in the distance cracked and everyone went pin drop silent. Kinsey stood up immediately and looked in the direction of the noise. He glanced at Ramsey. Ramsey nodded his head and Kinsey dashed into the woods with fury. After all, nothing scared Kinsey Ryder.