The time in which their plan for escaping the district walls is put into motion following the next week or so as they plan on where to go, where eyes won't be on them and ready packing food supplies, tools, medical supplies and other, to last them long enough until they find somewhere safe to be once reaching the other side.

There was also the discussion of what would happen to the team, once Kenny was gone from it, and who would be taking it over. It takes Kenny a while to think on who the next team leader should be, but once he figures it out his mind is set on them.

"Kyle," Kenny says, approaching him in the garage while they ready their plans, "I want you to take over as team leader."

There's a brief expression of surprise on his face before he nods with an affirmative, "Understood."

The others on the team seem to agree with Kenny's choice as well, as they continue on with preparing things.

Once the new leadership is assigned for when Kenny leaves, there's some other things he must attend to, such as dealings with his apartment, of which the only thing from it he brings is a family photo from his nightstand. And having to resign from his job, which, a bit sad on leaving it, he was glad for the time in which he had spent with it and the fond memories he would have of it. He couldn't help but give a small chuckle when the staff there said he'd always be welcomed back.

And so, after everything is finally taken care of and put together, the day of their departure finally arrives.

"Alright, I'm going to get Craig now that we're all set," Kenny tells Stan and Kyle, "you guys and the others get ready and head out."

There's a short affirmative response to that before he heads off.

Kenny makes his way down the long hall to Craig's room, for one final time. Each step echoes off its hard cold walls. He was glad to finally be able to move Craig from this place. His steps come to a slow as he nears the door. There's a moment's pause. Would they really be ready for this?

He reaches for the doorknob but never touches. His confusion only lasts the briefest of seconds until his eyes meet Craig's. And only then, when they connect, do all of his thoughts clear and he knows they're ready for anything.

"All set?" he asks.

"Yeah," Craig nods.

With that, Kenny takes Craig's hand and guides him down the hall. Their steps marching in tune with one another down it, no longer a lonesome pair of steps. They make their way to the garage and Kenny guides him to a motorcycle with luggage attached to the back of it, behind the driver's seat.

"It's just us?" Craig asks.

"My team has gone on ahead. They're going to create an opening, or rather a distraction, so that we can slip past the border and into the wildlands beyond it," Kenny explains.

"Oh."

With that Kenny gets onto the motorcycle and starts it up, Craig follows and sits behind him, carefully wrapping his arms around his waist.

"You'll need to hang on much tighter than that, with the speeds we'll be going," Kenny chuckles.

Craig's grip tightens at that, pressing his body closer to the other. Kenny starts the bike's slow take off then and heads to their destination.

As they near the border, Kenny comes to an eventual stop to look things over.

"You see that? Over there?" He asks Craig, pointing to the long stretch of wall in the distance. "That's where we're headed," he continues, once feeling Craig's weight shift to look over his shoulder, "the section we're going to is currently under construction, so we should be able to slip through it there. The only tricky part will be whether we make it pass security smoothly or not."

There's a moment of pause, as the two silently take in the long structure. The wall along the wildlands area was pure concrete, much like the wall that separated the Alpha and Beta districts, but not as high.

"Kenny you there?"

A modified walkie-talkie crackles to life, drawing them both back.

"Yeah, I'm here," Kenny responds, "you guys in position yet?"

"Just about. We're waiting on you," Kyle's voice replies.

"We'll be at the location shortly, go ahead and set things in motion."

"Will do."

The walkie crackles one last time before going silent.

"You ready for the final stretch?" Kenny asks Craig.

"Yes."

Craig's hold on Kenny tightens more, affirming his actions with his response.

Kenny starts the bike back up again at that and continues on.

As they near the construction zone, Kenny slows and stops to assess the situation more.

Silence.

"No one's here," Craig says, taking note of the surroundings as well.

"Yeah…" Kenny murmurs.

Something wasn't sitting right in his gut, but he wasn't sure what it was. Did his team already cause their distraction so that they could slip past? But he hadn't heard any word back from them if they had succeeded in it or not. Perhaps they were caught up in trying to flee? He wasn't sure. But something about this… was off. It felt as if his instincts were almost telling him to turn back and find another way across. But he knew he couldn't do that, despite what he may feel. This was the only viable way through. And they may not be able to get another chance like this for a long time.

"Stay alert," Kenny says, as he slowly starts onward again.

They enter into the workzone, and as they delve deeper into it, all the hairs on Kenny's body rise to the increasing sensation of prickles spreading across his skin. Still, not a soul to be seen. Despite the fact that this was a weak point in the border and would usually have more security because of that, it remained empty; almost eerily so.

They come to a stop again when reaching the bottom of the wall and get off the bike to examine its climb up.

"How high do you think it is?" Craig asks.

"About 20 feet," Kenny replies, "so not too bad."

"Would we be able to use the scaffolding to climb up?" Craig gestures to the construction equipment.

"We should," Kenny says in thought, "just so long as we're care—"

A sharp wave that causes Kenny to freeze up immediately passes through him and he quickly looks behind them. There's nothing. He keeps his gaze focused though, scanning their surroundings again.

"Kenny?" Craig asks concerned.

There's no verbal response though, and instead Kenny moves closer to him and outstretches an arm, guiding Craig to stand behind him.

"Who's there?" Kenny all but demands.

He didn't know why he thought there was someone else there, he just felt like there was. And whoever it was, was most likely the one behind the intense overwhelming sensation that flowed through him currently.

"Show yourself!" he yells.

There's nothing.

But Kenny remains steadfast, continuing to glance around his surroundings from one point to the next. Until his gaze catches a fleeting shadow hide behind some equipment.

"Look, I know you're there. We don't want any trouble. Just let us pass through and things will be alright," he says.

Still nothing.

"Kenny, what is—"

"Craig, I need you to grab our things and start climbing first. I'll be right behind you," Kenny instructs.

Although the want to ask more questions covers Craig's expression, he gives a small nod and walks over to the bike.

It's only then, when Kenny takes his gaze off the spot it was on for a split second to glance back at Craig, does the other presence make itself known to them.

"Oh no no no, we can't have you doing that, now can we?"

Kenny's gaze darts back instantly to the spot. And even before he finds who's now standing there, he already knows from voice alone, who it is in a split second. Damien.

The moment he's made himself known, Craig freezes in place. There's a faint scent that Kenny picks up on from him, one that he could tell is involuntary and mostly likely reflected the fear coursing through him right now.

It's only when Damien takes a step towards them, does Craig suddenly move again. It's so quick in fact, that Kenny doesn't even register the tight grip of his sweater being pulled back hard, until his own center of gravity is thrown off by Craig's weight now leaning against him. There's a subdued tremble that Kenny can feel come from Craig, as the other tries to steady himself and stay standing. A warmth seeps into his back from Craig burying his face into it, as if trying to block out what is happening right now.

There's something that ignites in Kenny. And unlike the last time when he saw Damien, he feels no fear. No. He wasn't going to let there be a repeat of last time. Not today.

"How did you find us?" Kenny growls.

"How indeed I wonder," Damien hums, "let's just say that being a CEO has its perks," he smirks. "Pull some strings here, do a few favors there, and you'll find out a lot of interesting things along the way."

His vagueness didn't make much sense to Kenny. Had his team not been careful enough? Had they missed something along the way? Or overlooked a small detail somewhere? He was certain that they had taken all the precautions necessary to avoid being tracked, or having their intentions be known. So then how—there's a sharp tug at his back from Craig drawing him back to the current situation. It didn't matter how Damien was here now. All that mattered was how they were going to get away and out of his reach.

"I wouldn't if I were you," Damien says, catching Kenny's darting eyes for an escape route. "Running would only make things more difficult for all of us here."

"Who says I'm planning on running?" Kenny replies.

"Oh?" Damien says intrigued, continuing his slow walk towards them. "Then what, pray tell, is it exactly you are planning on doing? Because I'm curious to know how you'll avoid a situation like the last time."

Kenny slides a foot back, pressing his body closer to Craig's behind him unconsciously, trying to create more distance between him and Damien's ever growing presence. There's a small sob that falls from Craig, a silent plea that's lost in it. The flames inside Kenny fan because of it and he moves back into his previous stance.

"Who says it will be like last time?" Kenny sneers.

For a moment, Damien stops in place as if surprised by something. It only lasts a brief second before he readjusts himself again and stands straight with a small smile.

"Oh ho? Now you really have piqued my interest," he says amused.

A pause of long silence follows, paving the way for sharp electric tension to collide and fill the air between the two. Neither one moves and only watches the other. The deafening silence continuing to linger and weigh. Their stances subtlety shift as the pressure of tension builds more. This perpetual state seeming as if there is no end in sight, until the quiet sound of whimper sets time in motion once again.

It's quick. Damien rushing at Kenny. He barely even has any time to react when grabbing Craig and dodging out of his path. They back up a few feet away from Damien as he straightens back up with a slight cock of the head. There's a moment's glare before his eyes rest to what they were.

"I believe you have something that belongs to me," Damien says, his eyes flicking to Craig.

"He doesn't belong to you," Kenny growls, "or anyone."

Damien's gaze falls back onto Kenny again.

"Oh I'm sure he doesn't," Damien smirks.

"The mark is gone."

Just as fast as the smirk had appeared it's gone in an instant and visible annoyance takes its place.

"You know, there's something… strange , about your scent," Damien's eyes narrow, "something that wasn't there last time. It's been quite hard to miss since you first arrived at this place."

Kenny tenses. But stays firm as Damien slowly starts to circle and study them. His grip tightens around Craig, bracing for whatever may come next.

Damien comes to an eventual stop.

There's a pause.

"I guess there will be trouble after all…" he says.

Then he's rushing at them again, this time from the side. Kenny maneuvers himself so that he's able to shove Craig out of danger and quickly turn back to face Damien head on. He blocks a punch with his hand and quickly redirects it before stopping a second throw. He's shoved back by it and is able to catch his footing and straightens back up again. It only lasts a split second, before he finds himself having to duck and dodge a barrage of throws aimed at him.

He's able to avoid most of them, but a quick throw and sudden turn around kick catches him off guard and he gets knocked down. He barely has time to get back up, before a kick greets his chin and he's knocked onto his back. His insides churn in on themselves at the sudden force of Damien's boot coming down on his stomach. A sense of nausea starts to bubble in him, from Damien's ever growing weight pressing him down.

"Not like last time, huh?" he sneers, pressing down on him even more.

Kenny's gaze flicks to Craig's horrified one. It was loud. So loud. And screaming at him to get up. It almost hurt more than the physical pain he was currently experiencing. He didn't want to see it anymore. It had plagued Craig for the last two months and he didn't want it to return after he'd just started to see his smile resurface. He wasn't going to let it go ever again.

"No," Kenny says and looks back at Damien, "it isn't."

With a quick grab, Kenny takes hold of Damien's foot, before twisting himself and kicking out Damien's other foot from beneath him. Causing the taller man to lose balance and fall. In an instant, Kenny is up on his feet again.

"No matter what it takes, Craig isn't leaving here with you," Kenny tells him, and Damien looks up with a glare, "he's already made up his mind."

This only seems to anger Damien more, as he slowly stands back up.

"Then I'll just have to make sure there's no other option. Now won't I?"

There's a cold chill from the implication Damien was suggesting. But Kenny doesn't falter and keeps at the ready.

With a step, Damien is yet again rushing at him. Grabbing him by the waist before slamming his back into the concrete wall. There's a gasp for air, as Kenny is winded by the impact before quickly finding his footing and grabbing Damien. His nails dig into the dark-haired male's clothing, gripping it hard as he twists and turns to get out of the hold he's in. His mind clears more and he goes for an offensive move, by hitting his elbow into Damien's head. It seems to work as the hold loosens and he quickly slips out of the grasp.

Damien is quick too however, as he sends a throw Kenny's way. One fast dodge though, leads to Damien landing a hit on the concrete wall and letting out a swear in frustrated pain because of it. But not a moment's delay passes before another punch is thrown and the two begin their dance once again.

Some hits miss while others land, sending small vibrations to the bone. At one point, Kenny is able to break away from the constant attacks and quickly gain the upper hand by dodging behind a large concrete cylinder and circling round it to the other side.

"You know, the more I think about it… the more unnatural your scent is," Damien's voice creeps, "something that wasn't there last time, now is… something that calls to challenge me in every way possible. And that can't help but irritate me with its presence. Which I find strange, because the only other times I've had this irritation… was dealing with other alphas." The sound of Damien's footsteps stop and Kenny slowly makes his way around the cylinder but stops when the sudden presence from behind quickly makes him turn around. He's greeted with Damien in mid-motion, aiming a fist right at him and just barely has time to block it with his arm. "That wound should have killed you," he growls, "you lost too much blood. Yet here you stand alive, defying death. Why is that?"

"Why indeed," Kenny smirks, before bringing his free hand forward in a fist and making auditable contact with the side of Damien's jaw. The force is enough for him to break away from the other and create distance between them.

Damien looks back at him, his gaze narrowing as he straightens back up again. A small hint of red dotted his bottom lip from a fresh wound that now rested there.

"I wonder what unnatural thing you did," he drawls, before a slow sly smirk spreads across his lips, "I feel it may have been illegal."

Kyle's words from before echo in Kenny's head and the low sensation of dread creeps in. He quickly goes back around the cylinder and makes to go elsewhere, but Damien is fast, and follows right after him. Kenny's quick reflexes allow him to quickly grab hold of the nearest object he can, a metal pole, and whirls around with as much force as he can, hitting the taller man and halting his pursuit.

Kenny tosses the pole away when he gets a good enough distance away and heads for Craig.

"Craig, come on!" he quickly ushers.

"But what about—"

"Beating him isn't my goal. It's us—getting away and being together. Free." Kenny quickly says. There's a small almost hopeful smile that spreads across Craig's face as he returns Kenny's words with a small nod. Kenny guides him to the motorcycle and the two hurriedly go to get on it.

Just as Kenny goes to get on, he's quickly grabbed and yanked away so hard he loses balance and falls to the ground. He doesn't even have time to process that he's now on the ground until a booted foot is kicking him in the gut. Then his face, followed by his gut again and ending on a heavy stomp to his side.

"Kenny!" Craig exclaims.

Kenny's vision is blurred by flashes when opening his eyes again. Nothing comes into focus more until he spots Damien trying to pry Craig off of the bike. Then the only thing he sees is red, when Damien shoves his face into the crook of Craig's neck and opens his mouth.

"How I've missed this," Damien murmurs in tune to Craig's whimpers.

Pain is replaced by burning anger as he gets up, grabs Damien by the waist and tackles him to the ground. This time Kenny is the one throwing repeated punches from atop the other. His knuckles gradually changing color from each impact they make. All sound is lost to him for a time in this state, all but one. A voice. At first it isn't clear, but when it finally does pierce the rage, he realizes it's Craig's voice calling his name. He stops. The world comes back into focus. Damien's bloody nosed face is the first to be seen. Then his own blood covered fists and his surroundings. Next the motorcycle and lastly the scared expression on Craig's face.

"You said your goal was us getting away and being together, free. Remember?" Craig says, his voice shaking ever so slightly.

There's fear in Craig's face, but Kenny didn't feel it aimed towards Damien. No. This fear felt aimed towards him. But he can't explain why that is, until Damien coughs from under him and a fresh trail of blood runs down from his nose. Then he knows why. This wasn't him. This wasn't like him at all. Beating someone in this way, with the rage he was consumed by probably was quite a frightening sight to see.

"Yeah," Kenny says and lethargically gets off of Damien.

He didn't want Craig to see him like this. To see him give into his rage and down a dark hole. As much as he may despise Damien for all he's done. He wasn't a senseless murder. Both he himself and Craig knew that.

"Sorry," he murmurs, getting onto the bike.

"It's alright," Craig offers a small smile before getting on behind Kenny and wrapping his arms around him, "you came back to me and didn't leave me behind," he adds, turning his head into his back.

Warmth spreads in Kenny at the action and soft spoken words. It's short lived though as a black car approaches the area, drawing both of their weary attention to it.

"You better run now, if you don't want to get caught by my bodyguards," Damien laughs with a cough.

Kenny looks back at him for a moment, Damien's expression is distant as if not really there and a subtle thought crosses Kenny's mind before he revs up the bike's engine and takes off along the side of the wall. His eyes scan the surroundings, before falling onto a long ramp. Running up to the top of the wall. He glances back once more, catching sight of the black car now following after them, before looking forward again.

"Hang on tight!" He tells Craig.

Sharply, the bike skids to the side from the sudden shift in weight as it quickly finds its new path now going up the ramp. It's steeper than Kenny first thought it would be. His heart pounds in his chest, praying to god that this would work somehow. Speed accelerates up the ramp. Each pound in Kenny's chest only growing all the more stronger from the rapidly declining path ahead. And as they near the end of the path, he could swear that his heart stopped beating the moment they left solid ground below them and now found themselves flying through the air.

Kenny's prayers continue when gravity takes over and the two now find themselves falling back down to the ground. Craig's grip tightens around Kenny as if he were holding on for dear life. Time feels long, despite only a few seconds going by, it was as if time was stretching out before them, until the bike shakes harshly from making contact with a surface once again and the two finally breathe once more.

Luckily for them, the drop isn't too steep as the two land at the top of a hill only a few feet lower than the wall itself. They reach the bottom of the hill and Kenny goes for the clearest path he can, straight for the wildlands woods. Weaving around and ducking his head to a place where no one could find them. Not even Damien.

Meanwhile atop the wall, stands Damien's tall figure watching them head off into the thick woods. Fading more and more into its foliage. Blood covers the back of his hand, as he wipes it away from his nose with a quiet sigh.

"Shall we go after them sir?" one of his bodyguards asks, calling up to him. There's no response though as Damien just continues to stand there, watching. "Sir?" the bodyguard asks again.

"No… let them go."

…

Kenny brings the bike to a stop once they're a good enough distance away so the two can catch a short breath and process things a bit more.

"You really think he won't come after us?" Craig asks.

There's a long pause from Kenny as he scans the landscape behind them.

"Yes," he replies, assured, "he has no power out here."

The words settle and as they do, Kenny's walkie-talkie crackles to life.

"Kenny? Are you there?"

It was Kyle's voice.

"I'm here."

"Oh good—listen we ran into some trouble and were unable to inform you because of it."

"Damien related, right?"

"How did—"

"We ran into him on our end."

"Oh I see."

"You guys alright?"

"Yeah, we're good. For the most part. You?"

"Yeah, for the most part too," Kenny laughs, "we made it to the other side by the way."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"That's good… Guess that means it won't be long now till your walkie will be basically rendered useless out there."

"Guess so…" There's a pause. "Hey Kyle, take care of everyone for me would you? Make sure they stay out of trouble as best you can. Although I know you will anyway, but… yeah."

"Of course," Kyle chuckles.

"Hey! We don't get into that much trouble!" Stan's voice exclaims.

"Yeah!" Bebe chimes in.

There's a mixture of other voices that speak up as well, from Kenny's team and he can't help but smile because of it.

"You all take care of yourselves alright? Everyone?" Kenny says.

"We'll be alright. You worry about yourself and Craig," Kyle's voice says, "you two only have each other out there."

Kenny looks at Craig for a moment and smiles.

"We'll be alright too," he replies.

Craig reaches out a hand to Kenny then, motioning for the walkie. Kenny gives a curious look, before handing it over to him. Craig gives it a nervous squeeze before bringing it to his mouth.

"Um, I just wanted to say… Thank you. All of you. For everything you've done. I mean it, because without you all… I would've… We wouldn't…"

"Don't mention it Craig, helping others is what we do," Stan's voice says.

"Exactly! You just take care of yourself out there! And live a nice long healthy life!" Bebe adds.

"Yeah, you and Kenny both," Kyle says.

There's a mixture of a soft and sad smile that Craig displays, before he gently hands the walkie back over to Kenny and rubs his eyes. Kenny smiles to himself because of it, and has to fight back the urge to want to do the same as well.

Some more small dialogue is exchanged between them all, before the eventual farewells come.

"Well, I guess we should probably get going now," Kenny says into the walkie, "me and Craig need to find shelter and set up before night comes and all that."

"Yeah and we should all head off before we're found hanging around here," Kyle says.

"Well then, I guess this is goodbye," Kenny says.

"Yeah."

"Take care everyone… Goodbye."

What Kenny expects to just be Kyle saying it back, ends up being a whole slew of goodbyes at once from everyone in his team trying to take over the device and say their goodbyes first. And Kenny can't help but let out a laugh because of it.

"Never a dull moment with you all," Kenny chuckles and wipes a tear away, "I'll miss you guys."

"We will too!" Bebe and a couple others say.

"Goodbye," Kenny says softly.

He looks up at Craig and offers him the walkie as well. At first Craig is a bit hesitant, but does take it from him and gives a small "Goodbye" as well, before the two of them are once again met with a mashup of various teammates all saying it back, some much louder than others, a few of which sound tear filled and in turn can't help but make Kenny feel the same way as well.

Once the last goodbye is said and done and the walkie is shut off and put away. And the two have caught their breath well and done. Kenny smiles and guides Craig to sit behind him on the bike. With a small rev of the engine, the two continue their way onwards and ready to start anew.