Framed! by James Ponti Chapters 1-4

to take a person away by force : KIDNAP

But I think it's okay to lie when you've been abducted.

to stir up dislike or anger in

Survival Step 3 — Do Not Antagonize Your Captor

a noticeable and pleasant smell

It's a legendary family recipe that simmers all day and fills the house with the most amazing aroma.

someone or something that provides a benefit

Technically they classify me as a "covert asset."

to take pleasure or derive enjoyment

Margaret basked in a moment of glory before she explained.

complete confusion and disorder

Margaret and I snaked our way through the unpacked chaos of the front room into the kitchen.

to consider (someone or something) as belonging to a particular group

Technically they classify me as a "covert asset."

showing or feeling little concern : NONCHALANT

I figured we'd casually look at some nearby paintings and glance at his chin, but Margaret's approach was more direct.

to say in response to something said

"I'm pretty sure Ben Franklin was dead about a hundred and fifty years before the Dumpster was invented," I countered.

made or done secretly

Technically they classify me as a "covert asset."

a strong feeling of happiness : great pleasure or satisfaction

"At last," she gleefully.

something that is not in agreement or not regular

"My father designs security systems, and one day he explained that the key to his job is finding the tiny flaw or inconsistency that the bad guys can take advantage of."

sure to happen

He reached down and pressed his beefy hands against the sides of my head, and I waited for the inevitable crushing of my skull.

a way of behaving, thinking, or feeling that is not learned : a natural desire or tendency that makes you want to act in a particular way

It's more instinct than idea.

to be in a hidden place

In pictures mine just looks like I'm scared of some creature lurking behind the camera.

suggesting that something bad is going to happen in the future

The "or else" was ominous.

to say that (something) will or might happen in the future

For example, when we rode the Metro we'd play a game where we'd try to predict who was getting off at which stop based only on what they were carrying.

a friendly relationship

Survival Step 1 — Build a Rapport with Your Captor

having no pity : CRUEL

I don't know what ruthless crime lords are supposed to look like, but he looked more businesslike than I expected.

to look at someone or something in a way that shows anger or disapproval

The smile turned into a scowl and I was worried that I'd offended him.

to turn aside suddenly from a straight line or course

Just then he swerved to avoid another car, blasted his horn, and yelled what I assumed were choice Romanian curse words.

a group of people who are involved in organized crime

One was a red-and-black eel that I recognized as the symbol of the Eastern European League, a crime syndicate known as EEL.

according to a very strict explanation of a rule, fact, etc.

Technically they classify me as a "covert asset."