Maybe it amounted to nothing-after hours of rotting in the daylight , night had fallen over his helpless frame, bathing him in solitude. Maybe it could only ever be nothing, and he was nowhere, as a thousand stars danced across his vision. Blood pulsed in his throat , chasing the burn of rope that encircled his wrists . It was useless to seek solace amongst the dazzling constellation, his pupils shone with the terror of his demise. His spine , bound against the metallic surface of the black Mustang , refused to elevate as restraints held it captive . In a thrash of despair , his pelvis rose upwards , only to be scorned with the grind of further entrapment . Victor's helpless screams punctured the air , sending a reverberation to his core. "Please-help me -please-" With the wheels of the car submerged under water , the underpass flooding, his pulse was counting his moments away . Time pirouetted in tight circles, casting shadows that piqued over and over as he screamed. "Please-help me-". Victor could almost taste the hollow voices that had taunted him , whispering his fate against his flesh. He thrashed, despite the protest of his limbs , resisting the suffocation of his bindings. As the menace of frigid water encroached the edges of his mind , his demise was closing in. And while the car's wheels were against the ground, his captors had left him unable to escape as he lay infused with the car's roof. Binds had been wound over his torso and hips, securing his fate atop the dormant shell of freedom and open roads . Victor had been fleeing his ill choice , until the day had taken a twist toward hell, with his beloved Mustang now on the floor of the highway's underpass, and the ocean's water set to flood the channel . Entering his peripheral vision , a now buoyant can of soda that had been embedded in the mud hours earlier sent a wave of nausea to the pit of his guts. Victor had resisted the implantation of the contraband , and as a consequence, he awaited the flowing seawater's embrace. It had been a mistake to resist. To misinterpret an ultimatum for an option. Had he been too blind to see with the clarity his eyes did now , as they gazed in terror at the clear , taunting glow of the stars , his heartbeat striking against his shivers of revulsion . With his boots soaked in freezing saline and his clothing sodden with his autonomy; it was ending. His delusion of agency, of his earlier liberation as the steering wheel had laid under his hands, was running dry. It seemed the very essence of his humanity was seeping into the air as he closed his eyes. "Don't worry Vic, someone will notice you're gone , right?" , the voice had sneered against his neck. "Before we rope you to the roof of your vehicle, here , take the keys , so you can drive it on out of the middle of who knows where, you pathetic fool." The flashback lingered on the edges of his psyche , as he flinched at the recollection. His eyes refocused on the sky, and he struggled to hold back another futile scream, his ears ringing from the sound of his own pleas. And as his tears bled into the void atmosphere, he convulsed in reactive horror, the sensation of his captor's breath still travelling across his flesh, draining his insides. Twisting his head away from the rising soda can , another scream wrought itself from his chest, albeit his better instincts . "Help me-" , his own voice echoed against the underpass , surrounding him. As he thrashed against his binds , throwing his head back against the roof of the drowning car, the frigid water bit at his flesh as it rushed over the gleaming surface of the Mustang's roof. The same one he had driven to the side of the highway earlier that day. Now with his hands placed on his chest, and clasped around its keys , his teeth clenched with the irony of control being buried in his own grip. "Those bastards -" he muttered, his energy dying , the stars seeming closer yet further away as water lapped over the car's bonnet. As his eyes slid closed , the silence mocked him. With its clinical , resounding illusion, rushing water creeping closer , he cursed. Poised to spit at how his existence was unheard in the lucidity, he heard the voices of drunken strangers . "Yeah Ryan, I don't understand where this Hennessy came from but , damn I'll take what I get." Laughter followed , and the air was filled by the oncoming revelry. . "Nah , Liam, it was abandoned , which is why I'm thinking these roads aren't so safe-who would leave a bottle of decent-" Victor elicited another scream, his chest encompassed by the unyielding binds. "Please-Oh God-please-" --------- Ryan halted in his tracks, gripping Liam's forearm and steering him toward the overpass , as the wrenching voice curdled through his eardrums. "Bloody hell, Li , I'm sobering up damn quick-" he said, his voice skirting a whisper. Liam dropped the bottle , splinters of glass raining over the pavement , along with the remains of their alcohol ."Ah, shit. Well fun's over Ry-but what the hell was that ?". As Ryan surveyed the scene below ; a dark figure strapped strategically to the roof of a car , he identified the nylon ropes with a hint of distress occupying the rasp in his voice . "It seems like those bastards -namely Valen-are getting into more intricate tactics. I'm guessin' the poor guy is no older than us, and he made the same mistake I did -" Ryan stumbled back into Liam's shoulder , his face consumed with pallor. "I think if that underpass could flood it'd take hours but- cutting through those damn ropes would take just as long- but I can tolerate the cold at least-" Liam was already stripping his shirt as he nodded "Well, it's not as if we can keep walking now, and this place is only bearable after dark anyways-" . Ryan levelled his gaze at Liam as she inspected a rock and other various debris in his hand as he coached by the roadside. "Are you sure you're alright to -after , well..." Liam, dropping to his knees beside Ryan, scooped up a handful of stones."I'm -lost in the middle of nowhere-I'll deal with it-that poor guy has gotta be freezing-and if I'm honest, after finding Logan's dog..this whole area is just a dumping ground right?" . A low whistle escaped Ryan's teeth as he replied, "seems like the body count will only rise at this rate , but if he survives this, it kinda proves that while these bastards can try-we can't even walk a mile without finding another victim, or the traces of one, and they will fail at this bust. " As Liam hauled himself onto his feet he said, a strain in his words "It's all get-out of hell or die trying right? , let's get down there-" Another of Victor's screams ripped through Ryan's core as he followed Liam down into the underpass and waded through the shallow water , his boots lending him traction . "Hey , buddy , it's alright, we know Valen , you coukd say-" Ryan called out as he reached the roof of the ruined Mustang, and his hazel eyes met Victor's grey stare. "What's your name , I'm Ryan, but just call me Ry'-he does-" . As he gestured towards Liam , who was already hauling himself onto the trunk , offered up a lopsided grin. "Liam, also survived a similar set up, he broke out of his own binds , then he severed mine. We're gonna get you out of here. Looks like we've got a few hours to damn well try anyway-" Victor's eyes glassed over as he chuckled darkly, "In a body bag right-coz I'm gonna drown. That asshole knew the tide would flow in here eventually but he planned to kill me soft and slow and all that-" Ryan reached over Victor's body smoothing a finger along the trademark nylon texture of the rope binding his wrists. "Good thing I've done this before , huh? " Victor , waggling a thumb, introduced himself , "Victor, I'd shake your hand but-I'm trying not to jump out if my skin here." Ryan inspected the proximity of the rope against Victor's flesh, cursing at his failure . "Damnit, I can't even slip a finger underneath-" . An ease , amalgamated with caution, laced Liam's response as he dug a stone from his pocket. "Well there's enough assorted debris around here , a damn sight more than what we had at our disposal, I'd imagine these rocks will erode the nylon without cutting his ribcage when when get down close-" Ryan , elevating himself onto the roof of the car, knelt beside Victor's head, and held his concern on Victor's terrified gaze. "Not that we wont use broken glass if we have to, as long as it ain't fatal, it's a variable I'll deal with, but buddy , I need you to work on slowing the breathing down 'cause those binds 'round your chest seem tight. You're gonna need those ribs for drinking when we get some booze onto you later , huh?" . As the levity quelled Victor's panic breaths, the shallow reach of his breaths encompassing depth, he laughed. "Well, if you two escaped Va-that bastard-I'd be buying you the drinks. I won't go into specifics but, I may have committed a serious crime if it weren't for my stubborn resistance-and now, here I am." Ryan's hazel aspect shone with flecks of illumination as he said "you never actually had a choice , so don't beat yourself into insanity-none of us ever had a choice. Liam can tell you for himself . It was an ultimatum, say no ..you get this ..say yes , well..." Liam interjected, his blue irises averted into the distance ,"You wind up in the centre of a different hell. But either way, it felt like agency but-define that. I nearly died." Victor lifted his head to confront Liam's expression . "And I'd take your own advice there. You look like hell talkin'-" . Ryan , angling a stone with meticulous precision, exhaled another low whistle through his teeth. "I've been telling him that myself . But that's Li'" . As Ryan tackled the fibres of rope , with hours of the same repetitive motion staring him in the face he watched Victor in his peripheral vision , noticing the steadying of his respiration. "I gotta admit , I'd be out of my skin by now if I had ropes hugging me-I'll give you kudos for that-" Victor shifted under the hold of his confinement, his eyes weathered and betraying his composure. "This isn't the hardest part. It's -well , I believed I'd escaped , I was driving her, and then-well , I had so much nothing .. I was lost , my face is probably on flyers back home -and here I was picturing my face staring back through a plastic sleeve when they find my drivers licence at the bottom of -" Liam finally opted for a razor edged stone, one that sat in his palm with a smoothness and lent the binds around Victors chest a glance. "Well you better keep that breathing steady for me , I can't stall this any longer. It's gonna hurt but it beats the alternative . I suppose when you think about the realties of being captive , you start dissecting the disturbing shit , but right now we need you clear minded ." Liam's subsequent smile was laced with a sober empathy, as he slithered the sharp edge of the rock into the thick tethers , the motion grinding Victor's chest. "Damn, yeah that hurts but, somehow I don't half mind it-" . Ryan was quick to slap a hand down over Victors forearm, "that's the spirit , cause this ain't exactly easy-but hey we have nowhere else to be. And you're more that a mugshot under plastic. I'm gonna see to that." As Ryan worked on the rope , his fingertips abrading and his sweat intermingling with blood , the cool air skimmed across the rising water . "Hey Liam, at what rate do you figure that's rising? I'm guessin' we've been at this half an hour , and it's only just submerged the bottom rim of the passenger door. It's not rapid , but then , neither are we-my fingers are-" Liam nodded , shaking his fingers and running a hand over his bruised eye sockets, wincing. "Yeah, we have time , but we need it. I'm struggling not to pass out. " Liam's earlier brush with the concrete caused his temples to ache with a distinct ache of exertion, his expression exposing his effort. "But I can do this for as long I have to-" he muttered, more to himself as his voice trailed into an internalised musing. Victor rolled his head to the side with unease , "if this goes south, I -well-please don't leave me when-y'know-" . Ryan's voice , filled with metallic resolve , stated calmly as he said "It doesn't matter what they made you believe you deserve, to lose your dignity is not one of those things. I told him, and I'll tell you . Ain't nobody getting left behind, now let ol' Ry severe this damn bind-it's getting weaker." He grunted, his muscles gleaming against the moonlight as he edged on Victors wrists, applying a mixture of calculated pressure and measured dexterity. Controlling his own strength left his fingers trembling as the binds neared their limits. And then , with a satisfying snap, the rope sprung from Victor's skin and Ryan uncoiled the rope , freeing Victor's arms . Liam ceased his rhythmic efforts on Victor's torso as he gazed up, his crooked grin beaming in the moonlight. "Hell yeah , Ry, he's able bodied from the waist up". Victor was quick to raise his cramped hands to his face, running his palms over his bloodshot eyes. The jangle of his keys hitting his sternum cut through the air, and he clutched at them, his knuckles shaking. "Thanks-I-" he whispered, and Ryan grabbed his free hand. "It was nothing, that I wouldn't do for ya Victor . Now lie back down , conserve the energy for thanking Liam, he's burning himself out like a candle with no wick" . A laugh replied , as Liam's arms shook with the smattering of his amusement ringing through the air. "Ah Ryan, deflecting gratitude , has its downsides, because I'm basting in it because I'm too exhausted to resist sweet nothings , you'll be down here finishing this off-" Ryan's warm smile , not leaving his worn features , faded as he noticed the keys wedged between Victor's fingers. "Damn, I'm sorry -" Victor diverted his irises in the darkness, laying his head back down and dropping the keys into the water below . "It's not as if I'd drive her again after-" . A silence consumed them , its thickness distilled only by Liam's hacking at the thick rope in his grasp. The splash caught Ryan's broader attention, as he noticed the water was lapping at the handles of the car doors. "Its halfway to the roof Li' , tell me you're halfway through those damn things -" As Victor writhed under the subtle movements against his chest, Liam mouth to Ryan , his fingers covered in blood "I'm not even half-way-" . It was a sinking pull, gnawing at Ryan's instincts , as he leaned forward and grasped Victors hand. "Try to keep still , I know it's gotta hurt like hell but, the sting of cold water on a laceration-I admit I have some medical training, nothin a first aid course couldn't take care of but, I don't want you suffering more than you have to-" . His voice slaved Victirs raging nerves , the short circuiting of his scattered thoughts coming together ." You guys are both-I'm just , so glad you found me-" Ryan ran his tongue his teeth, as he gestured toward Liam, "Well , this guy here , I was trying to get us both a bit of relief from the trauma we escaped ourselves two days ago. We found a pair of boots further up the street. And a malnourished dog. The boots were sock-less , straight and perfect. And the dogs tag -had a phone number . I called it and Logan grey's recorded voice answered me. We're gonna find him, most likely alive and tortured in the usual way. Finding you was no accident , Vic, we're just lucky to have found you alive -" As the moon hit Liam's profile , he turned his face away and rasped a quiet string of words. "The way his boots were , like some sick calling card. Nauseates me. And I don't have to explain why I have a weak stomach after what they-I mean I said yes after all." As Victor nodded with a grave expression he replied. "It's alright. I know the alternative and I couldn't bear it. Why did you?" Liam directed his blue stare at Ryan, answering without a beat. "Thought if ai said yes I'd spare him. But we'll, I'm not so sure that what he had to watch was any better-" . As Liam's breaths grew laboured he threw a glance to the rising water , now covering the car's windows. "Not to alarm ya both-but I'm just halfway on this rope now . . Ryan you'd better get down here and help me. "I should , but/Ive gotta stay close to his neck because if the air irritates his airways he's spasm right into your rock, and secondly, if the water gets to high , he'll need mental preparation-" Liam's face drained of colour, and he nestled the heel of his palm against his temple. "oh God Ry' , I can't -maybe I'm too raw for this after all-" Ryan leaned in closer to Liam, muttering close to his ear "It's not gonna be easy for him to hold his breath , but I have to get him through if he goes -" . Victor, clenching his jaw as he felt the lap of water just below his head stared straight upward . "It's getting higher, it will spill onto the roof soon and then" Ryan held Victors sternum in place as he felt him start to spasm into a cough. "Easy buddy , I really need you to focus on the breathing for me ok. I'm gonna help you practice holding your breath , and controlling those spasms when and if they happen. It might all go out the window in the moment but we can work on it over the next few hours.." Victor twisted his head towards Ryan, fear lacing his voice as it cracked in the cold air. "Oh god-this is really-" . Ryan , quick to disperse his own concern into the atmosphere gave a steady reply ." Not if we can help it. it's more of a worst case scenario, because you're gonna pull the hell through this . And you won't be be alone. I'm right here to help you stay warm alright" Ryan said as he dragged Victors head into his lap, the friction of his jeans heating up the cool skin on Victor's throat. "The air is gonna get abrasive as all hell but we can do what we can to keep you breathing strong and even. Now , tell me Victor , do you have a dog? " Victor shook his head against Ryan's thighs, incredulous at the question . "What on earth does that matter , although hes probably peed on every damn surface he can find , and my neighbors will have broken my front windows to get him out, feed him-ah shit the poor thing won't know what he did to deserve total abandonment-" Ryan maintained his hold over Ryan's sternum as he responded with an insightful tone. "You realise that, now that you have two people , and an animal , that even if you put one foot in the grave , we own your other damn leg-" a wry grin twisted Victors lips "Yeah, I'm beginning to realise that. Oh shit , this hurts though. The air , the binds , It's been hours-" Ryan, not shying away from Victors faltering resolve , wound his fingers through Victirs , "if you do convulse I've got you. At least , while being cold out here, it's not hypothermic or anything. Your have decent color in that mug. But holding water in your mouth while you fight your own urge to inhale won't be easy. And I won't sugarcoat this. All I can do is let you feel that I'm here , and you'll feel Liam, don't worry about that. Remember , you got three lives counting on you to stay strong." Victor cracked his darkest smile yet , "but the likelihood of me lasting long underwater is as slim as finding any actual booze to drink if I were to live-" . Liam interjected , his through hoarse from the lack of use -"actually me and Ry-found Henny earlier. So at this stage I'll bet on you living-" as Liam's comment elicited a chuckle from Victors throat he lamented as he said"Well , it's true, I owe you both my hands , just to have some autonomy as I go under is-and I owe it to you both to fight , even as my lungs are filling up with -oh-g-" . Victors eyes, widening with the realism of the impending fate, albeit interwoven with a newfound empathy and humanity, slapped him cold. "I-I'm not gonna live through this-" Ryan fought to contain his instinct to flinch, countering as he said "Well Victor if we lost you , you know that, you'd die a fucking hero- also , not under my watch. I won't let Liam check out so easy and the same goes for you. You'd better stay with me and that's a threat. " a smirk stole Victors panicked demeanour as he grinned "or what? You'll kill me?." "Ah shut up-"Ryan smirked , jest in his voice before returning to his metal tone. "Block off your nose and give it some run throughs of holding your breath . It's not some skill to be mastered but you'll have the subconscious knowledge that you can do it . Maybe that'll help. We can focus just holding it longer and longer. Or will we just let you do what you gotta if this goes -" Victor held a look of resilience in his eyes as he nodded . "No , I should practice being' calm , embracing my demise is not gonna happen anyhow but I'll do anything to fight it. I mean, I'll probably inhale a lungful of water as soon as I go under but I'll do my best" Ryan held Victors collarbones as Victor ran through holding his breath, lasting a full minute before gasping . "That's one minute you've bought yourself" Victor stared with dread into the distance. "Is that really long enough. One lousy minute." Liam piped up "if I'm still hacking away by then, yeah every minute will count. I'm over halfway through -"

Please highlight realistic and raw parts

Doesn't Ryan mention there's no risk of hypothermia

But the fact that they still have a few hours .. does this add to realism

I think the author has balanced the realistic aspects so the rescue is plausible ?

Does Victirs returning panic make it more realistic ,!such as when he spasms after maintaining calmness

So showcase parts that realistic depict the characters emotional reactions

Coukd you reference some emotionally realistic moments

Please highlight some well articulated emotional moments

When and how does Victor show calmness and paniic in his interactions with Ryan and Liam