Sparks - Daniel Ricciardo

Forty Five

tw: violence and sexual assault
📍16th July 2022 - London, UK

"You're in London?" Daniel asked with his phone pressed against his ear, his book now closed and fallen into his lap whilst his reading glasses had been thrown onto the coffee table next to him.

"I should be in about ten minutes." Lando said as he stepped into his taxi. "I've just got into the car, should I come straight to yours?"

"Sure man." Daniel smiled. "Amber's out for the evening so stay for as long as you'd like."

"Text me your address and I'll be there."

Once information had been transferred across, Daniel ended the call and proceeded to tidy round the place before Lando had arrived.

Obviously, Amber had been keeping it extremely clean, but there were a few bits of Daniel's that he had yet to tidy away.

As Daniel went around us apartment, Amber and her friends were just pushing through the doors of the event, the drugs in their system had started to kick in.

Amber's heat race had increased dramatically since she had been sat in the bar across the street, her skin was tingly and her senses had heightened. She could practically smell the people around her.

As the darkened building elongated into a long corridor, a bright white light could be seen at the far end and the music couldn't just be heard, it could be felt. The bass of each song pounded in Amber's chest and rattled her bones.

Amber turned her head as they walked the length of the corridor to look at Connie, who was oblivious to her staring as her eyes fixated on the pulsating light at the end of their path. Her eyes were wide and her jaw was propped open slightly as she became mesmerised.

Reg's high was taking a different effect on his body as he practically ran towards the music, his feet transporting him as quickly as possible.

"Let's fucking have it!" Reg shouted at the top of his lungs as he jetted off, drawing in some attention from those walking around them, but none of them seeming to care.

That was the good thing about raves. There was absolutely no judgment. Everyone was there for a good time; to listen to music, dance, and get fucked up. Nobody was there to place judgment on others. It was a safe space.

This is what Amber had come to realise when she was younger. She didn't have to hide at events like this. She could masquerade herself for one evening, to pretend that everything in her life was okay.

Tonight, the ecstasy in her system would surely allow for these feelings to prevail once more. To not have a care in the world, to feel as if you are free and flying.

If she couldn't feel this in her normal day to day life, a few hours underneath multicoloured strobe lights would suffice.

Sweaty bodies filled the crowded dance floor as the DJ booth stood at the front of the room, spinning records and blasting tunes out loud enough to be heard at the other side of London. But luckily, due to the unique nature of the venue, the tunnel leading up to the main area, blocked the noise from suspects.

"She's at a rave?" Lando asked in shock as he sat on the edge of the sofa, waiting for Daniel to finish grabbing the pair a beer.

"Mmm, I couldn't believe it either." Daniel admitted as he walked around the kitchen island, back towards the direction of Lando before handing him his beer.

"Cheers." Lando said as he took the cab and flicked open the top, making a small hissing noise which filled the silence as Daniel took a seat for himself. "And who has she gone with?"