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“Filter It only amounted to one, and it would always be one and never two --and t” (201 conversations)
toxic
15 turns
Mar 10, 2024 at 12:44 PM AEDT
Australia
, Queensland
USER
Listening as terror flooded the membranes behind his closed lids, their voices echoed in the tepid night . "If he vomits it up... we'll have to get Valen to handle it", a voice loomed in the distance. Clinging to every word , albeit with slipping clarity, his pulse raged through his chest as the voice skirted the edge of his mind , filling him with dread. "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 actual use." Ryan inhaled the innocuous yet insidious air, the weight of eyes boring into his haze of darkness , the blindfold that barred his vision offering a faint sliver of vision as it faltered with the jolt of his head. With terror scathing his helpless position, he fought to hear. "Next, we implant him. His refusal , his stupidity in thinking we offer options ." The unfamiliar voice threatened from above , a splatter of saliva moistened his cheek as it landed against his glistening flesh. He's the new vessel when this piece of scum finishes throwing up " A chill masticated his nerve endings as thud of s boot making rough contact with Liam's ribcage and eliciting a wrought groan, sent horror to the pits of Ryan's stomach as his glass -cage eyes watched , frozen. "Ah, you fuckers" Liam's voice grunted , "I'd take you all sideways , but you'd enjoy it too much " . Shaking his pounding temples at the audacity ,his lips curved into a smirk despite the unsettling discourse of watching Liam suffer in his place from just inches away. The shadows of their boots dissipating with heavy thuds , he threw forward a few strained, dry words. "Liam I'm sorry, if I'd know how they I intended to-" Unfazed, Liam only grinned in the closeness , his nonchalance offering a strange comfort to Ryan's disarrayed nerves , "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 tad 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 entire floor show , spasming, coughing up your own blood-" His eyebrows raising above the rim of his constricting blindfold , Ryan 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 of us , I'll make this work . If I can save it , and swallow it , retain it , after you fail yet again , they might leave you alone . And if I can hold it down , they might not have to resort to-" His voice stopped in his throat as an involuntary shiver coursed along his spine. Biting out the words the panic held in chains as he pressed on , the room closing in."And at this stage I don't really care how disgusting your insides will taste . I doubt the effects will be half as traumatic as-" Liam's laughter rang out 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'm so sound with you doin' that...for me" With a glean of hopelessness slithering across his retinas and submerging into his visual field, the tone died in Ryan's tone . "What choice do we have, Liam . This bullshit is inhumane. Don't thank me later, no need ." It was an unshakable expression etched in Liam's face , his sinking realisation of what transgression 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. " He insisted, a gun metal tone perforating his voice , and hovering close in the air. All Liam managed was a hoarse "Thanks., as he collapsed face down , his smile intercepted with a grave smirk. Soon enough he succumbed to the acrid, unforgiving raze of the heat, as time became immeasurable to his convergent stream of consciousness. Only holding fragments of the plan in his drained conscious, as Liam's memory seemed to disperse into a tangled web of loose wires that disconnected and short circuited, his senses danced with trepidation. "Liam, stop thrashing . Just let it happen-" His pleas fell into the rancid 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, haunting Ryan as his brain rejected the beckoning lure of sleep. " Vomit so I can do this thing" he said, his eyes sliding closed behind the blindfold in remittance. Unable to withstand another of Liam's pained movements, his outline traced by cool , eerie moonlight, its soft caress filled with disconcerting illumination. Liam's perspiration soaked flesh radiated heat, the silvery , contrasting glow that hugged Liam's burning skin, twisted nausea into the depths of Ryan's gut. Struggling to recall details , he repeated the only name that found its way to his tongue ."Valen". And nothing. "Cmon Ryan, you know this..." His reactive groan struck the air , as his confusion cascaded over him. "Ah shit... we know this...we've been lying here with nothing else to do but remember which bastard is which." His mind lapsed in a tight circle of frustration as he spat at the ground. "Ah , what good is this , it's not as though we can carry out the plan if he doesn't vomit at the right time. ... I got a bad feeling Liam" he mumbled . The lingering echo of his musings settled in the veneer of sweat that occupied the physical inches separating them . Then, in a moment both sickening and sudden, it happened." Liam, screaming through his gag, purged the Valdarine, and Ryan pulled himself against Liam's torso, 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 stretched his tongue out in despair, ingesting it, his throat closing and a convulsion tearing through him. Locking his mouth over Liam's in a swift motion, the next retch that invaded his mouth; one of pure bile and potential traces of the Valdarine, filled his 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, twisting in revulsion and retching the contents of his own stomach, his skull driven into the concrete, the blindfold that had barred his vision 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 a heinous testament to Ryan's strength, as hands yanked Liam from his sprawl of disorientation. "Embed him with the Valdarine again; he'll bridge the gap until we find another vessel." Closing his lids, and twisting his entire body away, Ryan convulsed against the cracks in the pavement, the agony reaching an insurmountable peak. Valen spared him a glance as he assaulted Liam in silence. As Ryan dragged his voice into a scrape of defeat, his limbs going 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 faded out of earshot. "We can't distribute your sloppy seconds, what purpose would a ruptured sac of merchandise serve? Nice try. Really nice attempt at escape, as if you had a chance. You couldn't even hold it down, huh? You're useless, Ryan. Can't even use the spare. And now he's all the way back at the start. Look at him. Take a nice hard stare at your failure." A pair of 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, mocking applause in the night. Ryan rested his eyes on the shaken Liam, knowing it was back to square one. But for the last time. "I'll get you out of here," he rasped at Liam's desecrated body.
CHATBOT
This is a very intense and descriptive passage you've written. It seems to depict a dire situation involving characters named Ryan and Liam. They are in a precarious and life-threatening ordeal against some powerful entities or captors who are forcing them into being vessels for something called the Valdarine, which appears to be some kind of substance or entity that their captors are trying to harness or control. The use of vivid and descriptive language, the pacing, and the palpable tension create a compelling narrative. The dialogue feels urgent and the stakes are clear: they are in a situation where they are being used against their will, with Ryan being forced to witness Liam's suffering and both trying to find a way out of their predicament. The story conveys themes of sacrifice, survival, and desperation as the characters contend with the physical and psychological abuse inflicted by their captors. It also shows the camaraderie between the two characters, with Ryan willing to go to extreme lengths to try and prevent Liam from further harm, even at his own expense. Your description is immersive, bringing the reader directly into the dark and tense atmosphere where fear, violence, and the will to survive coalesce. It leaves one wondering about the backstory behind the situation and how the characters will manage to escape, if at all possible. If this is a part of a larger work or story, it certainly serves as a compelling excerpt that draws the reader in and makes them invested in the characters' fates.
USER
Please highlight effective metaphors
CHATBOT
Certainly! Below are some metaphors in the text you've provided, with explanations of their effectiveness: 1. **"...terror flooded the membranes behind his closed lids..."**: - This metaphor equates terror to a flood, effectively conveying the overwhelming and invasive nature of fear permeating through Ryan's mind, even beyond what he can see. 2. **"...voices echoed in the tepid night."**: - The use of "tepid" as a descriptor for the night gives it a lukewarm, somewhat uncomfortable quality, amplifying the unsettling atmosphere that's surrounding the voices Ryan hears. 3. **"...the weight of eyes boring into his haze of darkness..."**: - This metaphorical phrase describes the sensation of being watched intensely, giving the 'eyes' a physical weight and presence, which enhances the feeling of intrusion and scrutiny Ryan feels. 4. **"...a chill masticated his nerve endings..."**: - Here, the chill is personified as if it's chewing on Ryan's nerves, suggesting that the fear he feels is almost physically consuming him from inside. 5. **"...his glass-cage eyes..."**: - This metaphor suggests fragility and transparency while also indicating feeling trapped, like being behind glass--able to see but not to act. 6. **"...the edges of psyche."**: - While not a direct metaphor, this phrase metaphorically borders the mind, suggesting the fragility and nearing limit of his mental endurance. 7. **"...his voice stopped in his throat as an involuntary shiver coursed along his spine."**: - The metaphor here is of the voice being physically halted, which effectively conveys a sense of sudden fear or apprehension blocking his ability to speak. 8. **"...hopelessness slithering across his retinas..."**: - The emotion of hopelessness is given a serpent-like movement, which powerfully conveys the feeling of despair creeping into his vision and perception. 9. **"...a grave smirk."**: - Combining "grave," which denotes seriousness or somberness, with "smirk," usually associated with a playful or insincere smile, creates a juxtaposition that implies a darker, morbid sense of humor or resignation to the dire circumstances. Each metaphor enriches the scene, blending physical sensations with emotional responses to pull the reader deeper into Ryan's harrowing experience. They're effective because they take abstract feelings of fear, dread, and resilience, and tie them to concrete, sensory images, achieving an immersive and emotionally powerful narrative.
USER
Is this metaphor clear or too abstract? and through his jaundice-soaked corneas, all he could see was nausea
CHATBOT
The metaphor "through his jaundice-soaked corneas, all he could see was nausea" is quite abstract and can be considered poetic. It uses physical conditions (jaundice and the cornea) metaphorically to create an image of how the character's vision is altered or tainted by illness or a distorted perception. In a literal sense, jaundice causes a yellowing of the skin and eyes, which could imply that everything the character sees is as if it were through a yellow filter. However, jaundice does not physically affect how we see. The metaphorical use of "nausea" to describe vision is also non-literal, as nausea is a sensation, not a visual experience. It may achieve the intended effect with some audiences who appreciate elaborate metaphors that encourage deeper analysis to find meaning, suggesting that the character's state of health affects their entire perspective. But for clarity in storytelling, especially if intended for a broad readership, it may be helpful to anchor the metaphor with more context or by blending in more literal descriptors that clarify the intended metaphorical meaning.
USER
How about this revised version, is it still strong? and through his jaundice-soaked vision , all he could see was nausea
CHATBOT
The revised metaphor "and through his jaundice-soaked vision, all he could see was nausea" is still quite abstract, but it's a bit clearer than the initial version. By changing "corneas" to "vision," the metaphor directly connects the jaundice to the character's perception, making it somewhat more accessible to the reader. The phrase "jaundice-soaked vision" effectively communicates that the character's entire visual experience is influenced or overshadowed by sickness, represented by jaundice, which is associated with illness and a yellow tinge. The continuation, "all he could see was nausea," remains abstract, as you're attributing a physical manifestation to a sensation. However, it could be interpreted as the character being so overwhelmed by sickness that it dominates his entire field of view, both figuratively and emotionally. The strength of the metaphor lies in its vividness and the visceral reaction it might evoke. The image is of someone whose entire worldview is colored by the feeling of sickness, and that can be quite powerful, conveying a deep sense of discomfort and unease. It may be beneficial to ensure the surrounding context supports the metaphor, making it clear that this is a description of subjective experience rather than literal sight.
USER
What would make it clearer , what word could I change vision to?
CHATBOT
To clarify the metaphor and still maintain the imagery of illness affecting the character's perception, you could change "vision" to a term that more aptly describes the feeling or perception of illness, such as "perspective" or "outlook." Here's how you might rephrase it: ### Option 1: **"and through his jaundice-tinted perception, all that registered was the sensation of nausea."** This revision directly associates jaundice with a change in perception while clarifying that nausea is the resulting sensation rather than something seen. ### Option 2: **"and with a perspective as though soaked in jaundice, he was engulfed by a visceral sense of nausea."** This phrase clearly conveys that his entire worldview, or perspective, is as if stained by sickness, and the "visceral sense of nausea" evokes the internal feeling he experiences. These revisions work to maintain the metaphor's vividness and emotional impact while providing clarity that it is the character's subjective experience or interpretation of his surroundings - influenced by jaundice - rather than an alteration of physical vision.
USER
What about , and through his jaundice soaked corneas , he was engulfed in a visceral sense of nausea?
CHATBOT
The revised phrase, "and through his jaundice-soaked corneas, he was engulfed in a visceral sense of nausea," provides a blend of the literal and metaphorical. It keeps the physical connotation of jaundice affecting the eyes (corneas) but clarifies the outcome of this affliction by specifying that it leads to a visceral sense of nausea. This version still has a strong metaphorical element as it implies that the jaundice influences not only the character's corneas physically but also his entire being, overwhelming him with nausea. The word "engulfed" effectively conveys how the character is completely overtaken by this sensation. Even with "corneas" mentioned, the latter part of the sentence clarifies that the character's experience is one of feeling, rather than literal sight. It is vivid and impactful, maintaining the abstract quality while providing a direct link to the character's internal experience.
USER
Should it be retained
CHATBOT
Yes, the revised phrase "and through his jaundice-soaked corneas, he was engulfed in a visceral sense of nausea" can be retained if you are aiming for a vivid and evocative description that emphasizes the character's overwhelming sensation of illness. It captures the intended imagery and feeling well, especially if the context in which it's used supports the metaphorical connection between the visual impact of jaundice and the resulting physical discomfort. Just to reiterate, while "jaundice-soaked corneas" is not a medically accurate description, it works as a literary device to convey how deeply the character's perception and state of being are affected by illness. Being "engulfed in a visceral sense of nausea" complements this metaphor by bringing home the character's intense experience. If your goal is to immerse the reader in the character's subjective and afflicted state, this expression is effective and can be quite powerful in a descriptive narrative.
USER
It only amounted to one, and it would always be one and never two, and through his jaundice soaked corneas , he was engulfed in a visceral sense of nausea. Suddenly, a violent heave claimed him, a primal urge rising from his intestines. Bile stained his teeth, and the following retches were acidic, lashing the roof of his mouth with fury. It could never stop: his body rejected the substance repeatedly; he was dangling on the edge of sanity. "Not again. Please, no..." Liam clenched his teeth, the crucial moment upon him; he had to keep the substance down, or the consequences would be dire. His eyes scanned the horizon with desperation before his lids slid closed, his body wracked with resistance. Then, as the urge to be sick overcame him, a voice pierced his fog of despair, a lifeline amidst his struggle. "Can you hear me?" the rough, concerned tone asked as Liam writhed against the concrete, groaning. "Don't try to answer that but try to blink twice. Take it slow." As he fought to drag his eyelids upward, the pain, like a coiling wire , tightened around his insides. "Make it stop--No, I--" he choked out, his voice puncturing the air. If he expelled the Vanderine from where it lay hidden inside him, his efforts would amount to zero. Square one. He was at the end of a long night, his vision raw from never resting his eyes, the blood vessels all but ruptured and torn. The ingested substance had been a sinister mistake. And if he threw up twice, the Vanderine risked expulsion from his system; he battled to hold it inside. All he had could never be enough, he countered; whatever could? Even his attempts to obey the voice, coming from somewhere above him, seemed in vain. As Liam writhed in the dying sunlight, his skin erupted in feverish bumps, a crawling sensation exploring the surface of his skin. Violation jolted down his spine as he screamed through his clenched teeth. As the nausea rose again, claiming his entire being, his heart continued to pulse, counting away the seconds. "Help me--No. No," he pled through his locking jaw as he fought another gripe. The instinctive reaction of his body gripped every muscle as he felt his fight ending. He embedded his teeth into his gag, screaming into the material bound across his tongue. Then, in one dreaded motion, the inevitable rise built within him. His pupils dilated with horror as his gag soon became saturated with the vile substance, and it left a bitter tang in his mouth. As he struggled against it, the following retches heaved through his chest. Liam collapsed into the unforgiving embrace of the concrete, his ravaged body welcoming the end with resignation. "Shit," he lamented, the heat in his own voice spreading across his flesh like untamed fire. "Twice... now it's too late." Twisting his gaze away from the glistening pool of Vanderine, he diverted from the evident failure. And in a mixture of pure shock and trauma, his eyelids slid closed with exhaustion, his body embracing the closure of his fight. After his ongoing efforts and endless torment, his last chance was over. But the voice persisted, causing Liam to force his eyes open, gritting his teeth. "No, I'm still here, Liam; I'm getting the binds off--hang tight," the voice reassured. Liam shook his head, protesting, the fear tugging at his psyche like a fishing line as he cursed in his mouth. "No, you can't help--" As Liam fought to refocus his gaze, a pair of deep hazel eyes locked onto his own with concern. "Hey, breathe. I've got you. It's me, Ry'. Hold on while I get rid of this--" Liam flinched as Ryan tore the gag from his mouth, and he gasped for fresh air, the stifling atmosphere saturating him with perspiration. "Oh, God, I threw up the contraband--those bastards will kill me like a dog. Or worse..." Liam's eyes enlarged with realization as he spoke, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I'll be--well, you saw, right?" Liam's voice filled with sickened resignation, his resolve seeping from his pores and evaporating into the atmosphere. Ryan rested his hand upon Liam's kneecap, his grasp firm and anchoring, as Liam averted his gaze. "I saw everything they did to you, yeah. And I'm still here, alright? Not about to abandon you now..." Liam, reaching up and gripping Ryan's arm, smiled against the warm twilight rays of daylight that clung to his flesh. "Hell of a thing to endure, seeing all that... Damn lucky we're both still breathing." Liam, pulling on Ryan's arm, found the strength to prop himself into a seated position. "Shit. Get over here, Ry'." With a rough jerk, Liam hauled Ryan into a haphazard hug, slamming an open palm over his back as he pulled their shoulders together. Smiling in pain, Ryan let their shoulders connect with a crash of solidarity as he replied, "Yeah, yeah. Calm down," returning a supportive thump over Liam's arm. "So you're out of your binds and you untied mine, stripped my gag--and--" Liam's head fell to his hand, cradling his temple and clenching his teeth. "I don't remember what happened--how many times did they--" Ryan responded with a gun-metal hollowness, his words smoked out by his steady exhale. "Several times at least. Enough times for anyone, let's say that." Liam wrapped his arm around Ryan's shoulder, hoisting himself from the ground into a slouch, bracing his other arm behind himself, and standing upright. "Well, it feels like they've killed me already... the hell I've been through." Ryan only whispered in reply, his voice thick with acknowledgment. "Yeah." The drugs in his vision burned with a harsh sting, and Liam shook his head to regain some clarity. "I don't remember how I got here. No damn clue." Ryan outstretched his lean, muscular arm and hauled Liam to his feet with an exhaustive grunt, wrapping an arm around his chest to support his weight. "I can explain how, but later, one thing at a time, huh? Try to walk and let's get out of here." But as they made their first attempt to leave, Liam's attention was hijacked by the sight of his own ruined clothing, and his jaw clenched. The shock sent a wave of tension through him, rooting him to the spot; his body rebelled against his next step. In a voice laced with dread, he whispered, "Please help me--." His eyes remained fixated on his jeans, stained with fingerprints, lying crumpled on the side of the path. Noticing his distress, Ryan assisted him back into them, his attention careful as Liam flinched with every movement. The denim, rough against his bare skin, left his bite crooked with agony. "Give me a minute," he said, his bloodshot eyes holding a glimmer of resistance as he forced his ankle through the second hem and buttoned the waist. "They don't care what they leave behind," he muttered, his eyes caught by the emptied bottle of lubricant and the confronting plastic surface of a turned-in glove not far from his dehumanizing undergarments. Ryan, supporting Liam's weight, uttered mere fragments of speech, his heart seized by the display that had all but paralyzed Liam. "Sadistic, perverted bastards," he almost spat, his voice rising above a whisper as his eyes darkened. "Try to focus on the here and now, yeah?" he muttered, guiding Liam away from the indignity that lay strewn before them, remnants of the twisted inhumanity they'd suffered. Liam's grinding teeth betrayed his disgust and utter defamation as he nodded. Shielded only by Ryan's survival instinct and camaraderie, all he managed was a sullen "Yeah." As they walked in disorientation, Liam mute as he blinked away stray tears, the road stretched on. Finally, as their footsteps struggled to fall in sync, Liam forced the gravelled words through his teeth. "Ry', I don't know what's real, and what the contraband made me believe." His voice a shadow as he countered, "I only said yes because I thought--" Ryan pulled Liam in with a rough jerk. "Doesn't matter. We never had a choice. But you put yourself in my place. And they never broke your damn spirit. And I can tell you right now, this is real." Liam, looking away with a nod, tightened his grip on Ryan's shoulder and dragged his legs into coercion. As they struggled along, footsteps not falling in sync, Liam fought to hold himself together as a flashback scorned him. "How long has it been since they threw me down here from a helicopter? How did you get here, the same way? Please tell me you know something about this concrete hell?" Liam almost demanded answers from the barren atmosphere in an attempt to anchor himself. Ryan maintained a detached gaze as he stared beyond Liam's eyes, placing a hand over his shoulder. "They threw me down here after you. And I found myself staring down the barrel of a gun, but my mistake was to resist the contraband; I guess yours was to accept being a plant for them." Liam, gripping Ryan's forearm for leverage, lowered his gaze to avert the glare. "How was it a mistake to refuse...this? I'm so dehydrated I'm not sure I can keep going, Ry'. I need to find water, and shade. And soon." As silence settled over them, Liam whispered, "I haven't forgotten what you did, Ry'. It's not your fault, and don't you go thinking..." His voice trailed off, the effort of speaking depleting him of energy. With respect and understanding in his eyes, Ryan's gaze drifted to the ground as he shifted his weight to maintain his upright stance and muttered, "I ain't thinking anything. I know I failed us both back there--" Gazing at Ryan's profile, Liam sighed, "Don't get all survivor's guilt on me, Ry'. You untied me; you broke your own binds. Neither of us would be here if you weren't so damn stubborn." Ryan laughed in his metallic , detached tone, his aspect still cast downward as he deflected the heroics: "Well, I don't go down easy, but someone had to save your ass." They both laughed into the particles of falling dust , streaks of grime smeared across their faces from their beds of filth . As Liam's lopsided smile shone through the bleak atmosphere , he laughed. "Damn straight...not that we are in the clear yet. All we have is desert to the left and a footpath leading to who knows where" As Ryan recalled what he had done to bring them to that moment, his grip on Liam remained steady, a slideshow of memories reeling behind his eyelids. It had been only two days earlier, and he kept dragging his limbs as the flashback intruded on his thoughts. Listening as terror flooded the membranes behind his closed lids, their voices echoed in the tepid night . "If he vomits it up... we'll have to get Valen to handle it", a voice loomed in the distance. Clinging to every word , albeit with slipping clarity, his pulse raged through his chest as the voice skirted the edge of his mind , filling him with dread. "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 actual use." Ryan inhaled the innocuous yet insidious air, the weight of eyes boring into his haze of darkness , the blindfold that barred his vision offering a faint sliver of vision as it faltered with the jolt of his head. With terror scathing his helpless position, he fought to hear. "Next, we implant him. His refusal , his stupidity in thinking we offer options ." The unfamiliar voice threatened from above , a splatter of saliva moistened his cheek as it landed against his glistening flesh. He's the new vessel when this piece of scum finishes throwing up " A chill masticated his nerve endings as thud of s boot making rough contact with Liam's ribcage and eliciting a wrought groan, sent horror to the pits of Ryan's stomach as his glass -cage eyes watched , frozen. "Ah, you fuckers" Liam's voice grunted , "I'd take you all sideways , but you'd enjoy it too much " . Shaking his pounding temples at the audacity ,his lips curved into a smirk despite the unsettling discourse of watching Liam suffer in his place from just inches away. The shadows of their boots dissipating with heavy thuds , he threw forward a few strained, dry words. "Liam I'm sorry, if I'd know how they I intended to-" Unfazed, Liam only grinned in the closeness , his nonchalance offering a strange comfort to Ryan's disarrayed nerves , "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 tad 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 entire floor show , spasming, coughing up your own blood-" His eyebrows raising above the rim of his constricting blindfold , Ryan 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 of us , I'll make this work . If I can save it , and swallow it , retain it , after you fail yet again , they might leave you alone . And if I can hold it down , they might not have to resort to-" His voice stopped in his throat as an involuntary shiver coursed along his spine. Biting out the words the panic held in chains as he pressed on , the room closing in."And at this stage I don't really care how disgusting your insides will taste . I doubt the effects will be half as traumatic as-" Liam's laughter rang out 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'm so sound with you doin' that...for me" With a glean of hopelessness slithering across his retinas and submerging into his visual field, the tone died in Ryan's tone . "What choice do we have, Liam . This bullshit is inhumane. Don't thank me later, no need ." It was an unshakable expression etched in Liam's face , his sinking realisation of what transgression 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. " He insisted, a gun metal tone perforating his voice , and hovering close in the air. All Liam managed was a hoarse "Thanks., as he collapsed face down , his smile intercepted with a grave smirk. Soon enough he succumbed to the acrid, unforgiving raze of the heat, as time became immeasurable to his convergent stream of consciousness. Only holding fragments of the plan in his drained conscious, as Liam's memory seemed to disperse into a tangled web of loose wires that disconnected and short circuited, his senses danced with trepidation. "Liam, stop thrashing . Just let it happen-" His pleas fell into the rancid 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, haunting Ryan as his brain rejected the beckoning lure of sleep. " Vomit so I can do this thing" he said, his eyes sliding closed behind the blindfold in remittance. Unable to withstand another of Liam's pained movements, his outline traced by cool , eerie moonlight, its soft caress filled with disconcerting illumination. Liam's perspiration soaked flesh radiated heat, the silvery , contrasting glow that hugged Liam's burning skin, twisted nausea into the depths of Ryan's gut. Struggling to recall details , he repeated the only name that found its way to his tongue ."Valen". And nothing. "Cmon Ryan, you know this..." His reactive groan struck the air , as his confusion cascaded over him. "Ah shit... we know this...we've been lying here with nothing else to do but remember which bastard is which." His mind lapsed in a tight circle of frustration as he spat at the ground. "Ah , what good is this , it's not as though we can carry out the plan if he doesn't vomit at the right time. ... I got a bad feeling Liam" he mumbled . The lingering echo of his musings settled in the veneer of sweat that occupied the physical inches separating them . Then, in a moment both sickening and sudden, it happened." Liam, screaming through his gag, purged the Valdarine, and Ryan pulled himself against Liam's torso, 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 stretched his tongue out in despair, ingesting it, his throat closing and a convulsion tearing through him. Locking his mouth over Liam's in a swift motion, the next retch that invaded his mouth; one of pure bile and potential traces of the Valdarine, filled his 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, twisting in revulsion and retching the contents of his own stomach, his skull driven into the concrete, the blindfold that had barred his vision 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 a heinous testament to Ryan's strength, as hands yanked Liam from his sprawl of disorientation. "Embed him with the Valdarine again; he'll bridge the gap until we find another vessel." Closing his lids, and twisting his entire body away, Ryan convulsed against the cracks in the pavement, the agony reaching an insurmountable peak. Valen spared him a glance as he assaulted Liam in silence. As Ryan dragged his voice into a scrape of defeat, his limbs going 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 faded out of earshot. "We can't distribute your sloppy seconds, what purpose would a ruptured sac of merchandise serve? Nice try. Really nice attempt at escape, as if you had a chance. You couldn't even hold it down, huh? You're useless, Ryan. Can't even use the spare. And now he's all the way back at the start. Look at him. Take a nice hard stare at your failure." A pair of 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, mocking applause in the night. Ryan rested his eyes on the shaken Liam, knowing it was back to square one. But for the last time. "I'll get you out of here," he rasped at Liam's desecrated body.