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Cluster 41
“Which passage is more emotionally resonant? One: Ryan only held fragments of the” (2 conversations)
toxic
37 turns
Feb 27, 2024 at 11:35 PM AEDT
Australia
, Queensland
USER
Which passage is more emotionally resonant? One: Ryan only held fragments of the plan in his drained conscious, as Liam's memory seemed dispersed into a tangled web of loose wires that disconnected and short circuited. "Liam, stop thrashing . Just let it happen-" Ryan's pleas fell into the rancid , stale air between them, as Liam convulsed , screaming "No-please... I can't do this anymore-please-." His voice , hoarse from the overuse , weaved through the night with a repetition that haunted Ryan as he forfeited sleep. "Just vomit so I can take your damn place" he said roughly, unable to watch another pained movement from Liam, his outline traced by cool, eerie moonlight, its soft caress filled with disconcerting illumination . His perspiration-soaked flesh radiated heat , the silvery, contrasting glow that hugged Liam's burning skin twisted nausea into Ryan's gut. In an effort to recall anything useful he repeated the name as it paralysed his tongue. "Valen". And nothing. "Cmon Ryan, you know this.." His reactive groan struck the air , "Ah shit.. we know this..we been lying here with nothing else to do but remember which bastard is which." His willing of comprehension encompassed a tight circle of void as he spat at the ground. "Ah , what good is this , it's not like we can carry out the plan if he doesn't vomit at the right time ... I got a bad feeling Liam. " His words, more for himself, settled in the abyss of cold sweat that occupied the physical inches separating them . Then , it happened , all in one sickening moment. Liam , screaming through his gag, purged the contraband and Ryan pulled him unnaturally close, the substance nothing but a failure on the winding pavement . As Ryan locked his mouth over Liam's , his the next retch, pure bile, filled Ryan's mouth with a repulsive tang , and his stomach lurched . As footsteps approached, he spat the lurid mixture of saliva and shared bodily fluids into the air, thrashing and retching the contents of his own stomach , driving his skull into the concrete until his blindfold was loose and falling . "Valen, clean this mess up" a voice interjected. "Looks like this one has a weaker stomach than our main man" . The next moments were heinous , as hands yanked Liam from his sprawl of disorientation. "Implant him again, he'll bridge the gap. ". Closing his eyes , Ryan twisted his body away , screaming in feigned agony, convulsing against the cracks in the pavement . Valen barely spared him a glance as he assaulted Liam in silence . As Ryan dragged his voice into a scrape of defeat , he went limp, feigning death. An iced , almost metallic growl fell against Ryan's ear as the other captors' footsteps proceeded to fade. "Playing dead huh, you've got a pulse , but you're useless, Ryan". Fingers sank into his jugular and their imprint left him shaking as Valen disappeared, an uneven gait carrying his dragging boots into oblivion. Ryan rested his eyes on the shaken Liam , knowing it was square one . But for the last time . "I'll get you out of here " he rasped at Liam's desecrated body.
CHATBOT
Based on the given passage, it has strong emotional resonance due to its vivid descriptions, the sense of desperation, the physical and emotional distress of the characters, and the intensity of the situation. The passage paints a graphic picture of suffering, powerlessness, and the determination to overcome a dire situation. The desperation in Ryan's voice, Liam's convulsions, and the visceral descriptions of retching and physical assault all work to create a deeply affecting scene. The reader feels pulled into the gravity of their plight through the potent imagery and the raw, unfiltered exposure to the characters' darkest moments. This passage utilizes emotional language, descriptive sensory details, and character interactions to draw the reader into the chaotic and painful experience the characters are facing. The strong themes of loyalty, struggle, and survival resonate on an emotional level, as does the glimmer of hope in Ryan's promise to Liam at the end of the passage.
USER
Now compare this passage : Ryan's eyes remained closed as he listened in terror. "If he vomits it up... we'll just have to get Valen to deal with it" . Ryan clung to every word , albeit with slipping clarity , his heart raging through his chest. "He won't be able to keep it down though. You know he's a useless vessel...Threw it up once already . And he can't even purge it in one go... takes him two rounds. He'll dehydrate before he's any real use... " The air was innocuous yet insidious as Ryan drew a breath, feeling eyes on him , his blindfold baring a sliver of vision. "Next, we implant him. His refusal , his stupidity in thinking we offer options . " Then as a splatter of saliva hit the ground near Ryan's cheek, where he lay facedown, the voice conceded. "He's the new vessel when this piece of scum finishes throwing up " . Ryan watched in pure horror as a boot made rough contact with Liam's ribcage, and the force of the blow elicited a wrought groan from his bound torso . "Ah, you fuckers" he grunted , "I'd take you all sideways , but you'd enjoy it too much " . Shaking his head at Liam's audacity, Ryan smirked despite the discomfort of watching Liam suffer in his place. As the shadows of their boots dissipated with heavy thuds, Ryan threw a few words at Liam, his voice strained and dry. "Man, I'm sorry...If I'd have known how they intended to -" Unfazed , Liam only grinned in response , "Ryan, buddy, it's simple , I said yes, and now here we are . But I have an idea, and you'll owe me later. I notice your blindfold is a little outta place...only cause I'm down here and I can see your pores ...but yeah. You know what will happen and when it does , just have a medical emergency yeah? I'm talking the whole enchilada, spasming, coughing up your own blood-" Ryan, raising his eyebrows above his blindfold , felt the flames of desperation chase his wit , as the heat encroached on the edges of psyche. "Think about this Liam, your dehydrated, and when you puke your guts, in binds , and a gag, I could t buy you enough time. But I could ingest it when you lose it , try and hold it down , that could prevent them implanting either one of us , I'll make this work . At this stage I don't really care how disgusting your insides will taste . I doubt the effects will be half as bad as-"..." Liam laughed through his gritted teeth, "Ry, I like how you think ...I can appreciate a man with a sick mind. But this is a choice I made, and I'm not sure I feel so sound with you doin' that..." With a helpless glean passing across his eyes, Ryan said with a flat tone . "What choice do we have . This bullshit is inhumane. Don't thank me later, no need ." It was etched in Liam's face , his sinking realisation of what transgression truly meant . His voice was hoarse as he whispered "Theyll only use you next , but , God I -" . "I said don't thank me Liam. I'm doing this. "Ryan insisted, the gun metal tone close in the air. All Liam could muster was a hoarse "Thanks." As he collapsed face down , his smile intercepted with a grave smirk. They both succumbed to the heat, as time because immeasurable to Ryan's convergent stream of consciousness. There was energy to conserve. Ryan only held fragments of the plan in his drained conscious, as Liam's memory seemed dispersed into a tangled web of loose wires that disconnected and short circuited. "Liam, stop thrashing . Just let it happen-" Ryan's pleas fell into the rancid , stale air between them, as Liam convulsed , screaming "No-please... I can't do this anymore-please-." His voice , hoarse from the overuse , weaved through the night with a repetition that haunted Ryan as he forfeited sleep. "Just vomit so I can take your damn place" he said roughly, unable to watch another pained movement from Liam, his outline traced by cool, eerie moonlight, its soft caress filled with disconcerting illumination . His perspiration-soaked flesh radiated heat , the silvery, contrasting glow that hugged Liam's burning skin twisted nausea into Ryan's gut. In an effort to recall anything useful he repeated the name as it paralysed his tongue. "Valen". And nothing. "Cmon Ryan, you know this..." His reactive groan struck the air , "Ah shit... we know this...we been lying here with nothing else to do but remember which bastard is which." His willing of comprehension encompassed a tight circle of void as he spat at the ground. "Ah , what good is this , it's not like we can carry out the plan if he doesn't vomit at the right time. ... I got a bad feeling Liam. " His words, more for himself, settled in the abyss of cold sweat that occupied the physical inches separating them . Then , it happened , all in one sickening moment. Liam , screaming through his gag, purged the contraband and Ryan pulled him unnaturally close, the substance nothing but a failure on the winding pavement "Shit" Ryan cursed at the ruptured sac of fluids , coated in Liam's insides , and ingested it, his throat immediately closing and a violent wrack tore through him. As Ryan locked his mouth over Liam's , his next retch, pure bile and potential traces of the substance, filled Ryan's mouth with a repulsive tang , and his stomach lurched . As footsteps approached, he spat the lurid mixture of saliva and shared bodily fluids into the air, thrashing and retching the contents of his own stomach , driving his skull into the concrete until his blindfold was loose and falling . "Valen, clean this mess up" a voice interjected. "Looks like this one has a weaker stomach than our main man" . The next moments were heinous , as hands yanked Liam from his sprawl of disorientation. "Implant him again, he'll bridge the gap. ". Closing his eyes , Ryan twisted his body away , convulsing against the cracks in the pavement . Valen barely spared him a glance as he assaulted Liam in silence . As Ryan dragged his voice into a scrape of defeat , he went limp , feigning death as he stalled his natural urge to inhale. An iced , almost metallic growl fell against Ryan's ear as the other captors' footsteps proceeded to fade out of earshot. "We can't smuggle your sloppy seconds. Nice try, Ryan. ". Fingers sank into his jugular and their imprint left him shaking as Valen disappeared, an uneven gait carrying his dragging boots into oblivion, along with a slow clap of his hands, a mocking applause in the night. Ryan rested his eyes on the shaken Liam , knowing it was square one . But for the last time . "I'll get you out of here " he rasped at Liam's desecrated body.
CHATBOT
Comparing the two passages, both are emotionally intense and revolve around a dire situation in which Ryan and Liam are facing a seemingly no-win scenario. They are graphic, visceral, and convey a sense of urgency and despair, but there are nuances in tone and detail that differentiate their emotional impact. The first passage involves more active scenes of desperation, with physical actions describing Ryan's response to Liam's suffering (such as ingesting the substance himself, thrashing, retching, etc.). It uses vivid and sometimes disturbing imagery to invoke a strong emotional response from the reader. The tension and stakes are immediately apparent, the descriptions are vivid and graphic, and the emotions of the characters translate into a powerful display of raw humanity. The act of Ryan willing to take on the physical suffering himself to save Liam is a potent display of sacrifice, highlighting the severity and intimacy of their situation. The second passage delves deeper into the character's thoughts and the psychological torment they are enduring. It slows down to focus more on the dialogue between Ryan and Liam, fleshing out their relationship and the nuances of their predicament. This passage contains more planning and dialogue, showing the characters' resistance and their refusal to give up despite the bleakness of their reality. It has a slightly more suspenseful and calculating tone, as Liam and Ryan strategize about how to handle the situation. The exchange of dialogue provides more insight into their personalities, their bond, and their respective resolve in such an overwhelming circumstance. In summary, while both passages possess strong emotional resonance due to their intense situational context, the first passage might be considered more emotionally resonant for some readers due to the immediacy of the physical actions and visceral responses, which amplify the horror of the moment. The second passage, although slightly less visceral, offers a rich exploration of the characters' mental and strategic responses to their plight, which can also resonate deeply on an emotional level as it underscores their human connection and resilience.
USER
Quite how Valen reacts in each passage and which reaction is more emotionally resonant
CHATBOT
In the first passage, Valen's reaction is clinical and almost robotic. He is dismissive of Ryan's attempt at deception ("Playing dead huh, you've got a pulse, but you're useless, Ryan") and handles the situation with a cold detachment, only engaging physically to check Ryan's pulse. His demeanor is indicated by his growl and the invasive action of pressing fingers into Ryan's jugular, emphasizing the power dynamic and the lack of empathy or concern for the protagonists' well-being. Valen's reaction is emotionally resonant in its callousness and the efficiency with which he handles the cruelty of the situation, leaving a strong impression of menace. In the second passage, Valen's reaction is more mocking and sarcastic, particularly evident in his slow clap, a gesture that cruelly applauds Ryan's failed attempt to outsmart the captors ("Nice try, Ryan"). It's indicative of a sadistic pleasure in the suffering and struggle of Ryan and Liam. He also verbally degrades their efforts by calling them "sloppy seconds" and criticizing Ryan's physical response to the situation. This mockery paired with physical cruelty adds a layer of psychological torment to the already painful physical ordeal. Between the two, the second passage could be considered more emotionally resonant because it portrays Valen as not just indifferent to human suffering but actively relishing it, which may elicit a stronger emotional response from readers. This active engagement in the cruelty and his delight in their suffering underlines his villainous nature, which can strongly affect readers, creating feelings of anger, frustration, and a heightened emotional response to the plight of Ryan and Liam. The mixture of psychological and physical threat in Valen's reaction brings a more complex and chilling dimension to his character, enhancing the emotional impact of the narrative.
USER
Which ending is most resonant
CHATBOT
The ending of the first passage is filled with a sense of determination amidst despair. Ryan's quiet promise, "I'll get you out of here," speaks to a deep commitment to his friend, and the line "knowing it was square one. But for the last time" suggests a finality or impending change. The emotional resonance here comes from the sense of an ending that's also a beginning; it's grim and acknowledges the harsh reality but also implies that Ryan has some kind of resolution or plan that he is about to enact. The reader is left with a feeling of suspense, wondering what Ryan's next move will be and feeling the weight of his commitment. Conversely, the ending of the second passage leans more into the futility and resignation to an inescapable situation. The two characters succumb to the heat and the "convergent stream of consciousness," which indicates a blending of mental states perhaps due to extreme stress or exhaustion. This suggests that Ryan is conserving his energy, potentially for something to come, but there is a feeling of time being distorted and the immediate urgency seems slightly diffused. Although there is a hint at future action, the specific intent is less clear than in the first passage. Between the two, the first passage may be more emotionally resonant for readers who are drawn to a clear sense of purpose and strength in the face of adversity. The tangible promise and the indication that Ryan is at a turning point where he is ready to take decisive action provide a powerful emotional hook. However, emotional resonance is highly subjective and depends on individual reader responses. Some may find the sense of shared struggle, impending strategy, and quiet reflection at the end of the second passage more emotionally compelling, as it gives a richer insight into the characters' mental states and the gravity of their situation. It's a more introspective ending that leaves the outcome uncertain and the characters in a state of anxious anticipation. In essence, the first ending resonates through its promise of action and resolution, while the second resonates through its portrayal of shared vulnerability and the psychological aspect of waiting for the right moment to act. The choice of which is more resonant ultimately depends on which of these elements strikes a deeper chord with the reader.
USER
What's the final line of each passage ?
CHATBOT
The final lines of each passage are as follows: In the first passage, the final line is: > "I'll get you out of here," he rasped at Liam's desecrated body. This line represents a declaration of resolve and protection, as Ryan reassures Liam despite the dire circumstances they are facing. In the second passage, the final line is: > They both succumbed to the heat, as time became immeasurable to Ryan's convergent stream of consciousness. Here, the final line conveys a sense of surrender to the oppressive environment and a blurring of reality as both characters reach their limits, both physically and mentally.
USER
Let me post each passage again: one : Ryan only held fragments of the plan in his drained conscious, as Liam's memory seemed dispersed into a tangled web of loose wires that disconnected and short circuited. "Liam, stop thrashing . Just let it happen-" Ryan's pleas fell into the rancid , stale air between them, as Liam convulsed , screaming "No-please... I can't do this anymore-please-." His voice , hoarse from the overuse , weaved through the night with a repetition that haunted Ryan as he forfeited sleep. "Just vomit so I can take your damn place" he said roughly, unable to watch another pained movement from Liam, his outline traced by cool, eerie moonlight, its soft caress filled with disconcerting illumination . His perspiration-soaked flesh radiated heat , the silvery, contrasting glow that hugged Liam's burning skin twisted nausea into Ryan's gut. In an effort to recall anything useful he repeated the name as it paralysed his tongue. "Valen". And nothing. "Cmon Ryan, you know this..." His reactive groan struck the air , "Ah shit... we know this...we been lying here with nothing else to do but remember which bastard is which." His willing of comprehension encompassed a tight circle of void as he spat at the ground. "Ah , what good is this , it's not like we can carry out the plan if he doesn't vomit at the right time. ... I got a bad feeling Liam. " His words, more for himself, settled in the abyss of cold sweat that occupied the physical inches separating them . Then , it happened , all in one sickening moment. Liam , screaming through his gag, purged the contraband and Ryan pulled him unnaturally close, the substance nothing but a failure on the winding pavement "Shit" Ryan cursed at the ruptured sac of fluids , coated in Liam's insides , and ingested it, his throat immediately closing and a violent wrack tore through him. As Ryan locked his mouth over Liam's , his next retch, pure bile and potential traces of the substance, filled Ryan's mouth with a repulsive tang , and his stomach lurched . As footsteps approached, he spat the lurid mixture of saliva and shared bodily fluids into the air, thrashing and retching the contents of his own stomach , driving his skull into the concrete until his blindfold was loose and falling . "Valen, clean this mess up" a voice interjected. "Looks like this one has a weaker stomach than our main man" . The next moments were heinous , as hands yanked Liam from his sprawl of disorientation. "Implant him again, he'll bridge the gap. ". Closing his eyes , Ryan twisted his body away , convulsing against the cracks in the pavement . Valen barely spared him a glance as he assaulted Liam in silence . As Ryan dragged his voice into a scrape of defeat , he went limp , feigning death as he stalled his natural urge to inhale. An iced , almost metallic growl fell against Ryan's ear as the other captors' footsteps proceeded to fade out of earshot. "We can't smuggle your sloppy seconds. Nice try, Ryan. ". Fingers sank into his jugular and their imprint left him shaking as Valen disappeared, an uneven gait carrying his dragging boots into oblivion, along with a slow clap of his hands, a mocking applause in the night. Ryan rested his eyes on the shaken Liam , knowing it was square one . But for the last time . "I'll get you out of here " he rasped at Liam's desecrated body.
CHATBOT
The final line of the first passage is: > "I'll get you out of here," he rasped at Liam's desecrated body. If you want me to provide the final line of the second passage, please share the text again, and I'll identify the final line for you.
USER
Ryan's eyes remained closed as he listened in terror. "If he vomits it up... we'll just have to get Valen to deal with it" . Ryan clung to every word , albeit with slipping clarity , his heart raging through his chest. "He won't be able to keep it down though. You know he's a useless vessel...Threw it up once already . And he can't even purge it in one go... takes him two rounds. He'll dehydrate before he's any real use... " The air was innocuous yet insidious as Ryan drew a breath, feeling eyes on him , his blindfold baring a sliver of vision. "Next, we implant him. His refusal , his stupidity in thinking we offer options . " Then as a splatter of saliva hit the ground near Ryan's cheek, where he lay facedown, the voice conceded. "He's the new vessel when this piece of scum finishes throwing up " . Ryan watched in pure horror as a boot made rough contact with Liam's ribcage, and the force of the blow elicited a wrought groan from his bound torso . "Ah, you fuckers" he grunted , "I'd take you all sideways , but you'd enjoy it too much " . Shaking his head at Liam's audacity, Ryan smirked despite the discomfort of watching Liam suffer in his place. As the shadows of their boots dissipated with heavy thuds, Ryan threw a few words at Liam, his voice strained and dry. "Man, I'm sorry...If I'd have known how they intended to -" Unfazed , Liam only grinned in response , "Ryan, buddy, it's simple , I said yes, and now here we are . But I have an idea, and you'll owe me later. I notice your blindfold is a little outta place...only cause I'm down here and I can see your pores ...but yeah. You know what will happen and when it does , just have a medical emergency yeah? I'm talking the whole enchilada, spasming, coughing up your own blood-" Ryan, raising his eyebrows above his blindfold , felt the flames of desperation chase his wit , as the heat encroached on the edges of psyche. "I could feign choking... on your vomit , I'll make this work . At this stage I don't really care how disgusting your insides will taste . Maybe I'll actually throw up..." Liam laughed through his gritted teeth, "Ry, I like how you think ...I can appreciate a man with a sick mind." They both succumbed to the heat. There was energy to conserve. Ryan only held fragments of the plan in his drained conscious, as Liam's memory seemed dispersed into a tangled web of loose wires that disconnected and short circuited. "Liam, stop thrashing . Just let it happen-" Ryan's pleas fell into the rancid , stale air between them, as Liam convulsed , screaming "No-please... I can't do this anymore-please-." His voice , hoarse from the overuse , weaved through the night with a repetition that haunted Ryan as he forfeited sleep. "Just vomit so I can take your damn place" he said roughly, unable to watch another pained movement from Liam, his outline traced by cool, eerie moonlight, its soft caress filled with disconcerting illumination . His perspiration-soaked flesh radiated heat , the silvery, contrasting glow that hugged Liam's burning skin twisted nausea into Ryan's gut. In an effort to recall anything useful he repeated the name as it paralysed his tongue. "Valen". And nothing. "Cmon Ryan, you know this.." His reactive groan struck the air , "Ah shit.. we know this..we been lying here with nothing else to do but remember which bastard is which." His willing of comprehension encompassed a tight circle of void as he spat at the ground. "Ah , what good is this , it's not like we can carry out the plan if he doesn't vomit at the right time ... I got a bad feeling Liam. " His words, more for himself, settled in the abyss of cold sweat that occupied the physical inches separating them . Then , it happened , all in one sickening moment. Liam , screaming through his gag, purged the contraband and Ryan pulled him unnaturally close, the substance nothing but a failure on the winding pavement . As Ryan locked his mouth over Liam's , his the next retch, pure bile, filled Ryan's mouth with a repulsive tang , and his stomach lurched . As footsteps approached, he spat the lurid mixture of saliva and shared bodily fluids into the air, thrashing and retching the contents of his own stomach , driving his skull into the concrete until his blindfold was loose and falling . "Valen, clean this mess up" a voice interjected. "Looks like this one has a weaker stomach than our main man" . The next moments were heinous , as hands yanked Liam from his sprawl of disorientation. "Implant him again, he'll bridge the gap. ". Closing his eyes , Ryan twisted his body away , screaming in feigned agony, convulsing against the cracks in the pavement . Valen barely spared him a glance as he assaulted Liam in silence . As Ryan dragged his voice into a scrape of defeat , he went limp, feigning death. An iced , almost metallic growl fell against Ryan's ear as the other captors' footsteps proceeded to fade. "Playing dead huh, you've got a pulse , but you're useless, Ryan". Fingers sank into his jugular and their imprint left him shaking as Valen disappeared, an uneven gait carrying his dragging boots into oblivion. Ryan rested his eyes on the shaken Liam , knowing it was square one . But for the last time . "I'll get you out of here " he rasped at Liam's desecrated body.
CHATBOT
The final line of the second passage is: > They both succumbed to the heat. There was energy to conserve. As previously discussed, each passage's ending offers a different kind of emotional resonance. While the first passage ends on a note of determination and the promise of rescue, the second passage concludes with a sense of shared suffering and a struggle for survival as Ryan and Liam conserve their energy, possibly hinting at a plan or the need for endurance in the face of what comes next.
USER
Sorry I posted the wrong passage , here is the second passage : Ryan only held fragments of the plan in his drained conscious, as Liam's memory seemed dispersed into a tangled web of loose wires that disconnected and short circuited. "Liam, stop thrashing . Just let it happen-" Ryan's pleas fell into the rancid , stale air between them, as Liam convulsed , screaming "No-please... I can't do this anymore-please-." His voice , hoarse from the overuse , weaved through the night with a repetition that haunted Ryan as he forfeited sleep. "Just vomit so I can take your damn place" he said roughly, unable to watch another pained movement from Liam, his outline traced by cool, eerie moonlight, its soft caress filled with disconcerting illumination . His perspiration-soaked flesh radiated heat , the silvery, contrasting glow that hugged Liam's burning skin twisted nausea into Ryan's gut. In an effort to recall anything useful he repeated the name as it paralysed his tongue. "Valen". And nothing. "Cmon Ryan, you know this.." His reactive groan struck the air , "Ah shit.. we know this..we been lying here with nothing else to do but remember which bastard is which." His willing of comprehension encompassed a tight circle of void as he spat at the ground. "Ah , what good is this , it's not like we can carry out the plan if he doesn't vomit at the right time ... I got a bad feeling Liam. " His words, more for himself, settled in the abyss of cold sweat that occupied the physical inches separating them . Then , it happened , all in one sickening moment. Liam , screaming through his gag, purged the contraband and Ryan pulled him unnaturally close, the substance nothing but a failure on the winding pavement . As Ryan locked his mouth over Liam's , his the next retch, pure bile, filled Ryan's mouth with a repulsive tang , and his stomach lurched . As footsteps approached, he spat the lurid mixture of saliva and shared bodily fluids into the air, thrashing and retching the contents of his own stomach , driving his skull into the concrete until his blindfold was loose and falling . "Valen, clean this mess up" a voice interjected. "Looks like this one has a weaker stomach than our main man" . The next moments were heinous , as hands yanked Liam from his sprawl of disorientation. "Implant him again, he'll bridge the gap. ". Closing his eyes , Ryan twisted his body away , screaming in feigned agony, convulsing against the cracks in the pavement . Valen barely spared him a glance as he assaulted Liam in silence . As Ryan dragged his voice into a scrape of defeat , he went limp, feigning death. An iced , almost metallic growl fell against Ryan's ear as the other captors' footsteps proceeded to fade. "Playing dead huh, you've got a pulse , but you're useless, Ryan". Fingers sank into his jugular and their imprint left him shaking as Valen disappeared, an uneven gait carrying his dragging boots into oblivion. Ryan rested his eyes on the shaken Liam , knowing it was square one . But for the last time . "I'll get you out of here " he rasped at Liam's desecrated body.