story related question [spoiler inside]

[brrrrainz]

sooo, when the grunt finally got daniel towards the end of the game, why throwing him into a prison cell, sparing his life? usually this monster takes a very lethal problem solving approach.

[Reportin']

Alexander needs Daniel alive during the ritual to distract the Shadow.

[ploppytheman]

The monsters are controlled be Alexander and Alexander may still feel guilt about betraying Daniel or have a sinister use for him yet (which is revealed by the "bad" ending).

Its a game. If the enemies weren't there to kill you it would take the fear away. The "supposed to lose/die" sequence is not an actual enemy but an event used to further the plot. I was shocked when I got clawed as I knew the area around me was clear and realized its "Gordon Freeman in the garbage disposal" event.