I wanna be your slave

I wanna be your master

I wanna make your heart beat

Run like rollercoasters

*

please listen to the song above even for a little, it's the vibe of the chapter and the main idea around it.

When I followed Bob out the door I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I had a slight anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach and I couldn't really put my finger around it. The only thing I knew was, that I was in for a crazy night out. At least that's what he promised.

The car drive seemed to last forever but I was happy it was only me and him. Before we took the road I made sure to ask if he would drive any of his friends, praying that Isaac won't be there if it happened. However, he reassured me that it was just the two of us, since Teddy was out of town and Theo would meet us there.

The fact that he didn't mention anything about Isaac made me slightly relieved and disappointed at the same time. I had no idea why I was so infatuated with him and I didn't intend to find out. He was bad news. And I couldn't handle any more fucked up cases in my life.

During the ride we listened to some music and talked about random things, most of them regarding the awkward dinner with my mom and of course his obsession over my outfit choice.

It took me forty minutes to get ready, which is rare considering I'm usually fast with these things, but Bob being Bob, wanted to be heavily involved in the process. Taking things out of my closet and dressing me up like a Barbie doll, he made sure to torture me with his critics until I finally put down my foot and grabbed the iteams I wanted to wear.

It was a well-known fact that in these types of gatherings people tend to go full out with their appearances which is fine by me, although I prefer to not follow others' footsteps and actually put on what makes me feel comfortable.

The short skirts and the barely there crop tops weren't my thing. So I opted for my personal favorites. A simple pair of black pants that were skin tight to my legs, along with a silk one shoulder bodysuit. The material hugged my upper body tightly and complimented my features. Feeling bold I decided to not wear a bra, enjoying the way I felt in my outfit.

When Bob saw me, he let out a loud whistle confirming my thoughts. After that, I spent a few minutes on my makeup, choosing a slightly darker look on my eyes than what I usually go for and straighten my hair until they were swaying perfectly against my back.

''Finally.'' Bob mumbled exhausted after straightening the last piece of hair on my waist. ''What are you, Rapunzel? My hands are hurting brat.''

He didn't really appreciate being my hairdresser assistant, but fairelly enjoyed his reward. A bottle of my mother's favorite wine, one I had to persuade him not to drink during our ride there.

When we finally made it to the foothills of the mountain the sun had almost set and only the bright colors of the dusk were still giving some light in the sky.

''Isn't it kind of weird how they hold such a big spectacle so early at night? I would expect them to do it at least after midnight. Especially since it's supposed to be a secret.'' I say looking nonchalant outside the window.

Bob doesn't answer me for a second, scratching awkwardly the back of his head before responding smugly. ''Yeah about that. They need the light for the cars to get to the top. Especially the ones who aren't drifting or are familiar with the roads.''

''What do you mean?''

''You will see.'' He says suggestively, making me furrow my eyebrows.

Soon we were outside the big gates getting in line with the other cars, more than sixty waiting along with us.

''What the hell..Rob. It's going to take all night.Where did these people come from?''

''I told you. You only need a contact, then the word gets sprayed faster than rain. They even travel from different cities for this. Most of them won't have the chance to get inside though. It's getting too dark.''

''Yeah neither will we. I told you it was a bad idea.''

''Relax brat. We have someone.''

''That's what you said for them too.''

''It's different to know a friend, who knows a friend, who knows someone, than to actually KNOW the contact.''

Before I have the chance to question him, his phone rings bringing a victory smile on his face. ''Hey we are here.'' He says to whoever it is on the other line.

''Okay. Are you up yet? Alright. We are on the second line.''

The phone call comes to an end and he shuts it off, giving me a side glance. ''We will be there before any of those pricks snorts his first line.''

After that we both fall into silence, until the cars in front of us move forward just for a few meters and I'm left dumbfounded from the view in ahead of me. What in the name of...

Bob sees me looking outside like a kid in front of a sugar factory and he clicks his fingers to get my attention. ''I told you it's going to be lit.''

''Are you...Where are all these cars heading? I thought the party would be around here.''

''No, that would be too obvious, the place we are going is deeper inside.''

His words leave me with a nauseous feeling and I can't help but get anxious. ''Hey, I'm here. It will be fine.'' He says, squeezing my hand to relax me.

Soon the line moves enough to let me see the details around the entrance. I can count around six people, probably security since they are muscled enough to crash a head under their biceps. Some of them check the cars, while others get id and information from the people inside them. I watch two of them giving certain bracelets to each and everyone who comes through and I turn to ask Bob about them.

''What are those?''

''It's like a ticket to the party. You are obligated to wear them while you are here.''

''Okay, but why the different colours?''

''That's a way to categorize the audience I guess. Green is for the ones who come here only to party. Like you and me. Orange is for those who are going to drift in today's race and red for the professional drivers. Those who have taken part on the races before and they are familiar with the drill.''

''Aren't we supposed to pay for getting inside. How can they provide this for free?''

''Oh honey, there is no such thing as a ''free'' pass. To enter the race you have to pay a price. And I may say it's not generous at all, they will also make a ton of money from the debts. Along with that we are talking thousands of dollars. Then of course is the amount of drugs they will sell tonight and the drinks. Believe me they will leave with full pockets from here.''

A million questions run through my mind but I can't seem to find the right time to vocalize them. A tall figure makes its appearance in front of our car, the lights almost blinding him and immediately my heart starts beating rapidly in my chest.

Shit.

Isaac looks extremely indifferent strolling towards us, as if we are just another task he has to take care of, while I try to steady my breathing.

Holly fuck I forgot how intimidating he is.

The silver color of his hair combined with the paleness of his skin, comes in total contrast with his dark clothing and I can't help but trace my eyes over him. He is beautiful, in his own twisted kind of way.

Standing on the side he signals us to pull over towards the western part of the gate and we work our way through the rest of the cars. The drivers keep honking at us, obviously frustrated that we skip the line up, but Bob doesn't seem phased from it at all. Following Isaacs' instructions he stops the car in front of the closed gate, while Isaac whispers something to the security guy ahead of us.

He nods at his command and soon the gate opens only for us to come through. The rest of the people start yelling and cursing about the unfair treatment, but the security guard just pulls the switch and the doors slide closed again behind us.

His skinny figure walks towards our direction, probably to talk with Bob, but instead of going to his window, he makes a circle coming to mine and knock the glass with his knuckles.

The action startles me and before I can even answer, Bob rolls down my window, leaning closer to my shoulder so he can see him clearly.

In the meantime, Isaac rests his elbows against the frame, his hands intertwining in front of me and if I move a little, I'm sure I can touch him.

''What's up?'' Bob says, giving him a small smile. One that Isaac doesn't seem to reciprocate.

''Leave the car as far down as you can. It will be hell to leave this pit once the party is over. You don't want to wait for hours so the rest of them can move.'' His rough tone responds and I avoid his closeness by looking ahead of me.

Or at least that's what I intend to do, because it seems almost impossible to resist the urge of looking at him.

Slowly, my eyes follow his slight movements from the permanent veins on his hands, to the silver bracelet and rings on his fingers. He seems to look extra good this evening and I try hard not to stare.

Him and Bob discuss something but the voices get lost in the background. I study his clothes, taking notice of the fact he chose to wear a patterned shirt, a couple of buttons loose enough to expose a hint of skin, but not his full chest.

There is a chain under the fabric, although I'm not able to see what it holds. His skin looks like porcelain as always and his eyes...

Wait.

The line around his eyelashes seems abit darker with slight glitter in it.

He wears eyeshadow.

It is very faint, but still there, making his appearance even more intriguing than before.

I'm left in a daze from his look and I don't even pay attention to the fact that they have stopped talking, until I realize he is staring right into my soul. The eyes that I spent so much time studying look at me directly, clearly after catching me staring and my breath hitches from the sudden act.

Quickly I turn away playing with my fingers instead and wishing for Bob to finally start the damn car.

''I'll see you up there right? You are not racing tonight?'' He says referring to Isaac, who has still his gaze firmly planted on me.

I can sense his eyes on my face and I listen to him mumbling a barely audible ''No. Not tonight.'' Before he finally let go, tapping the hood of the car two times to singal our departure.

When we put a safe distance between us, I exhale deeply, finally able to breath.

''That was intense.'' Rob says, making gulp.

''What do you mean?'' I play dumb.

''The whole exchange. I thought they would gang up on us after skipping all these cars. The drivers were livid.''

My heart calms down when I realise he wasn't referring to me and Isaac and I'm glad.

''Yeah, that was nuts.'' I respond lowly.

Nodding he drives through the dim lights that I understand they put there on purpose to avoid any accidents.

''He wasn't wearing a bracelet. Isaac.'' I clarify.

''You mean like ours?'' he asks and I nod.

''He doesn't need it Daphne. He is one of the people who run this shit.''

The assumption makes perfect sense and a sudden feeling of panic sets in my stomach. If Isaac is involved with it then...

''What's up with the face?'' Rob asks confused.

''Nothing I just...'' But once again my words get caught in my throat by the scenery in front of me.

''Bob...'' I whisper in an awe.

''I know, why do you think they stopped the races up here?'' He says, a smug smile on his face.

''I-s...is it safe?''

''As safe as it can be. They don't want anyone to die so I think they took the right measures.''

''You THINK?'' I almost yell.

''Hey, relax. It's going to be fine. We are not the ones who will take the road towards there. There is an easier route on the side.''

His words fail to reassure me but I decide to let it go for the rest of the drive, hoping it won't end badly for any of us.

''Come on. I know you have a million things to say.'' Bob pressures while driving through the forest.

''I do. I just don't want to bring a bad vibe to our night.''

''Daphne, don't worry about it. We will be fine. I would never bring you somewhere that I wasn't sure it would be safe.''

The soft tone of his voice makes me immediately feel guilty. He has been nothing but sweet and protective of me and here I am not appreciating his effort.

''I'm sorry. Things like that make me feel nervous. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful.''

''I don't want you to feel grateful D. I just need you to relax and have fun tonight. I got you.''

Smiling at him I thank him with a nod checking the scenery outside. In the mirror I see a red car speeding behind us and before I have the chance to warn Bob, it passes by us taking a crazy turn on the road ahead.

Rob laughs loudly at my stunned expression, a few other cars following the red ones' lead, until it is just us again.

''Told you it would be crazy.''

By the time we got to the top the party had already started. Bob wanted to follow Isaac's advice so we ended up leaving the car far down, opposite the others who of course opted for a better spot right outside the venue.

I would love to see them trying to leave this hole after the fun stops. It will probably take hours.

The only disadvantage, at least for Bob who wasn't into exercise, was the fact that we had to walk up the last part of the road. He kept complaining the entire time, while I enjoyed the fresh air before we drowned ourselves in the thick smell of weed and alcohol ahead of us.

''What were you thinking back in the car?'' He asks panting from all the walking.

''What do you mean?''

''You seemed lost for a second. After I told you that Isaac was part of this business.''

''Oh. Right.'' I mumble, not quite sure if I want to bring another problem to the table today.

''Come on, tell me. I don't want anything to ruin the night for us.'' Bob pushes, clearly baffled that I will fall back into my self pity cycle.

''It's just...I thought that since Isaac is one of the people who organized this there is a good chance for him to be here too.''

A small pause follows my confession where only our heavy steps can be heard, until Bob catches my hand to stop me.

''Are you afraid of it?'' He asks gently.

''Not afraid...I just don't want to see him right now. I need time to process things. And if he is there...I know he won't leave me to it.''

Bob studies me for a minute before he squeezes my hand to comfort me. ''Look. There is nothing to be afraid of. Yes Isaac is part of this, but I don't even know if he is just here for drug dealing or something more. Maybe his boss sent him to sell and help around. It doesn't mean that the whole gang will be here. That he will be here. And there are so many people I'm not sure that he would be able to find us even if you wanted him to.''

''You think so?'' I ask hesitant.

''I know so.'' He answers with a reassuring smile, before he dips his head to kiss my hair briefly.

''Now come on. Let's get loose.''

And that's exactly what I plan to do.

The voices can be heard from miles away and so does the music. I'm not even sure why they spent time calling it a ''private'' fest. I'm positive the whole fucking state knows what's happening here.

When Rob and I find our way to the entrance, the real one this time, we stand both speechless in front of it. This is a joke. It must be.

''Holy shit.'' Bob says and for the first time I see him looking somewhat tense from what he experiences. And honestly, I couldn't agree with him more.

This is the ultimum craziness. In its finest form. And we are about to run right into it.

My legs feel like jello by the view of all these people in front of me and I could swear the ground is shaking under their feet. I sense Bob tugging me forward in order to show the bracelets to the security guard who is watching us suspiciously, probably wondering what the hell are we doing here.

I'm asking myself the same thing buddy.

After we pass the check, we move around with caution, trying hard not to bump into all the drunk and clearly stoned people who are already in a different dimension than us.