He really had planned to just go on his (not so) merry way if she didn't show in some way she wanted to go with him, but it didn't look like she had any clear idea where she'd go and what to do on her own, so Ryan just... Grabbed and dragged her again, mentally cursing. This girl was going to be the end of him! And possibly, very soon.

On the fire escape, his injured leg gave out and he nearly tumbled down the rest of the way, grabbing onto the rails in last moment and banging his leg against them nastily. By now, Sophie was nearly faster than him, one of the deep gashes starting to bleed again from when he crashed into railing. But it wasn't first time when he had to put physical pain aside to get out of tight spot and Ryan managed to speed up again. He, too, heard the noise and didn't even have to look back to know the men were on their heels. At her urgent, fearful announcement the man huffed. "Gee, how hadn't I noticed," he murmured in sarcastic tone, only fueled by his pain and exhaustion.

It took the corporate thugs only few moments more to open fire and Ryan had to focus every bit of energy left to shield them. As Sophie slowed, saying she was going to open the portal, he pushed her behind him so even if his reflective field failed, she wouldn't get shot. However, what he couldn't predict or protect himself from was the sudden stab from right. The man grunted and instinctively swung to that side, his fist colliding with the invisible jaw of the attacker. The blade was now dripping with blood, making it visible and letting Ryan grab the opponent's wrist and twist it painfully, landing another punch in his or her face. He guessed it was man, by posture and height, but who the hell could know for sure.

The shield faltered and one of the bullets whistled right by Ryan's ear, so he kicked the invisible opponent away and focused his energy back into their protective 'shell', turning to look at the blonde. "How much long--" he began to ask, right as the reality was willed apart by Sophie, revealing a whole different world. She spoke something about her home, but by God, why wasn't she walking, tumbling at least, through the portal already?

"No time to get sentimental, kid! Go!" he hissed, pushing her through the rift first and then following much less gracefully. He landed half stretched on the ground and with groan, turned to sit up, red already on grass from his wound. As Sophie's energy wavered, the portal closed. The invisible thug tried to follow, but was too slow and all that reached the lush land was his arm before the door between worlds shut. Severed from its body, it became visible and hit the ground with nasty thud, the cut clean. "Holy s**t," Ryan spoke, staring at the limb. "Note to self, never hesitate going through those things."

Wincing, the man got up, pressing one hand to his wound in side, in rather hopeless attempt to stop the bleeding. He pried the knife from the detached limb and tucked behind his belt as if it was the most casual thing to do. A glance at his bracelet made him groan quietly - it had to be quite the walk until next weak spot that he could use to get away from this land. Looking about, he had to admit that this had to be the most beautiful place he had ever seen in person. Few internet pages and books he had read while recovering showed such gorgeous sights on Earth, but he hadn't ever had the chance to see them in person. This wouldn't be a bad place to die, really.

But hell, he wasn't going to just give up on living now. The stab wound needed some stitches, sure, but he'd take care of it soon enough. "So, I guess this is it," he turned to look at Sophie and then something occurred to him. Flinging bag off his shoulder, he looped it awkwardly on one of his arms and tried to dig through it with same one for a moment, then gave up and properly took out the orb, either handing or tossing it to the girl (depending in what state she seemed to be in). "Here. Don't need the extra weight." He also fetched a bit of bandage to press against his wound and prepared to walk off. Thanks weren't really expected from Sophie and since this was her home, she'd know what to do and where to go from here.