UNMASKED

#25

Eli was definitely having a bad day.

To be honest, he wasn't even that mad about being kidnapped—again. He figured it was bound to happen sooner or later. Especially with the whole crazed-mercenary thing going on. Of course, he'd hoped, it wouldn't. Of only because Adria seemed to be putting some effort into keeping him alive. But obviously, God didn't love Eli enough to keep him from getting dragged into some unknown place and tied to a chair.

Still, the worst part was still Mikey having taken his phone. For a minute, Eli had hoped that the goon would forget about it. Not that Eli was ever that lucky.

Which was why he wasn't even surprised when Mikey pulled over in an empty sidestreet once they'd left the convention center and demanded his phone. Eli handed it over readily because, despite what Matthew liked to think, he wasn't suicidal. Besides, Mikey already looked like he wanted to toss Eli out of a moving car and into traffic. Probably because Eli had bitten him, which, fair enough.

Eli was just glad that, for once, he hadn't gotten knocked out. He figured he should give points to his kidnapper for having some manners.

Then he got some sort of cloth bag thrown over his head and Eli took those points back.

Not long after that, Eli was dragged out of the car and into what he assumed was yet another freaking warehouse. He was almost certain of it. Mainly because he'd yet to run into a criminal who didn't frequent one.

At least, that's what he thought until they went up a ramp and then started going downstairs. He didn't think many warehouses had underground levels. Suddenly, Eli wished he'd paid more attention to his surroundings. Maybe then he'd have a better idea of where he was.

Not that it would help.

He didn't even struggle as he was shoved onto a chair and tied up. Eli didn't think struggling would help. Especially when Mikey was probably still around. There was just something about a guy that could quite possibly crush Eli's skull with his hand that told the redhead to behave. At least, as long as Matthew wasn't around.

"Don't do anything stupid," Mikey muttered as he finished tying Eli up. Honestly, the warning was a bit unnecessary. It wasn't like Eli wanted to do something dumb, it was just that sometimes, his mouth tended to get him in trouble before his brain could stop it.

Mikey didn't say anything else before Eli heard him walk away, his steps echoing in a way that made Eli think the floor was probably metal. Which was weird. Eli was officially out of ideas on where he'd been taken. Not that he'd thought of it being anything other than a warehouse.

He heard the door close behind Mikey, creaking the whole way, and then Eli was left alone in absolute silence. Eli didn't mind that, to be honest. He just wished Mikey had taken the stupid hood off his head.

"This sucks," Eli muttered, voice muffled by the cloth.

Honestly, Eli was surprised at himself for how well he was taking the whole thing. Maybe it was just because he'd been kidnapped so often. Or maybe it was just that he'd kind of seen it coming. Granted, he hadn't expected Mikey to be the one to do it.

I knew he was shady, Eli thought. Maybe he should have protested more about having Mikey follow them around. Sure, Adria seemed to trust him, but then again she probably didn't make the best life choices. Eli could relate.

He took some comfort in knowing at least this time it wasn't his life choices that got him in trouble—it was Matthew's. Not that it helped a lot because Eli was still screwed. If he survived, he was definitely complaining to his mother about Matthew. He figured it was the worst punishment he could possibly deal out.