He took his hand surprisingly gently before he was yanked out into the sunlight. It all went very fast Mike couldn't be sure what exactly happened. He heard sirens blaring as they pulle dup from a distance the other hostages crying. The robbers dropped the hostages on the floor of the curb as they hurried into a black car.

Mike felt relief wash over him. They wouldn't kill him. Just leave him there on the pavement cowering in fear and scarred, but alive none the less.

To Mike's horror though, he was pulled into the over crowded car that sped off as soon as the door closed. He held onto the seat in front of him to keep from being tossed around like a rag-doll as the swerved through traffic.

"Why'd you bring him along?" The bald man sneered.

"In case the cops catch us." His captor responded.

"Do you lack faith in my driving skills?" The driver glanced back. He had dark skin and looked of Indian ethnicity.

They sped through a more desolate part of town occupied by warehouses. They pulled into one of them, the garage door closing behind them. Mike was shoved roughly from the car as they poured out. A red-headed woman walked up to the car looking at him queerly.

"Who's this?" She asked, eyeing Mike suspicously.

"Found a lost puppy. What're you doing here?"

"Hold it. You brought a hostage here? Are you crazy?"

"Really, you couldn't wait til after to pick up someone. The bald man added but quickly slunk away when she glared at him. The woman really was scary.

"Take him to the back and get rid of him." She ordered the younger two that were with them.

Mike's heart raced as they grabbed him roughly under his arms. He couldn't believe this was happening. All of his years of struggling and hard work for what? To end up in a back alley with a bullet in his head. It was a terrible thing to know your fate. He had to do something. So he did what he does best.

"I know why the cops were early." He spouted.

All eyes were on him curiosity etched on their faces. He began to sweat as the silence passed.

"The-there were a couple of off duty cops outside the bank. An older and a younger guy."

"How the hell did you know they were the police?" His main captor asked mildly impressed.

"I read this novel in elementary school," Mike said with some relief. "and it was the exact same thing."

"You read a novel, in elementary school." He looked at him dubiously.

"What? I like to read." Mike shrugged with an uncomfortable smile hoping this man would be impressed enough to let him live. He was wasn't sure whether to be relieved or frightened as the man grinned at him.

"Let him go." He finally said. The men eased their grip on him hesitantly looking at the others confused.

"You're crazy. You're not letting him go free." The bald man exclaimed stepping in front of the other man.

"Of course he's not free." The man scoffed. "I think he'd be useful to me."

"Jess-" The red-headed woman started but quickly stopped herself. "You know she won't allow this!" She hissed as she dragged him off to the side.

Mike strained his ears to listen in on their conversation but to no avail. Their hushed argument quickly ended and his captor strode back to the group.

"Well, we better be on our separate ways before the cops show up. Pleasure working with you all once again."

"Wait, you're kidding, right?" The bald man stepped in front of him to block his way.

"Hm." He paused to think about it for a moment. "You're right. I am kidding. It wasn't a pleasure working with you Louis." He flashed a victorious smile as he patted him on the shoulder and walked off. "C'mon kid, you're with me."

Mike stood dumbstruck as he tried to process what had just happened. Everyone stared daggers at him as he looked around for an answer.

"Hey, let's go!" The man demanded over his shoulder, not stopping to wait.

Mike jogged to catch up as they exited the building through the back where a few cars were parked. His mind took note of the best path to take to try and escape. As if reading his thoughts the man interrupted him.

"If you're thinking about escaping I'd advise against it. Unless, of course, you'd like a bullet in the back of your head." He gave him a charming a smile as he opened the passenger door for Mike.

As Mike cautiously stepped into the car, the man lowered his voice. "You're mine now."