“Grove Street,” she replied.
“Never heard of it,” he said.
“It’s fairly new. Meant to give your drink a boost. Most people who take it say that they feel more alive, and say they’ve undergone an intense outer body experience like none other.” As she began to describe it, he began to feel it.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. he could feel the blood rushing through is veins. His pupils dilated. He no longer felt like he was in the club. Rather, it felt like his soul leaked out of his body and into an astral plane. He felt like his mind began to expand, becoming something more than a man in a human body, and became one with everything.
The smooth electronic dance music began to distort, but still sounded beautiful and symphonic. He could hear everything; whispers, footsteps, ice clinking in other people’s drinks. His vision became almost panoramic. The club’s lights began to bend, mold, twist, and blend into one another, forming in a kaleidoscopic explosion of blissful radiance and imagery. Yvora put her hand on his thigh and slowly traced it upwards. He felt every ridge of her fingerprints through his pants as she edged closer. He became more and more aroused and she was made well aware.
“Wow,” She said rather impressed and lost for words. She licked her lips as she grabbed his arm. "C'mon, let's dance."
"Cool with me," he replied.
Caiden felt very out of character. The Grove Street drug transformed him into an alternate version of himself; free and relaxed. It was an experience he never thought he could feel. He was never the partying type, and was hardly ever social, preferring to keep to himself. The DJ transitioned to another song and the crowd responded by ratcheting up in energy. He could sense the emotions of those around him in amazing detail. Caiden was smiling, not a sincere smile, but rather, an ‘under the influence’ type of grin. Caiden was lost in the moment. He was still very aroused, and an opportunistic Yvora pulled him close as she nestled into him and guided his hands to her waist.
She began to gyrate seductively. Her mouth opened slightly; she was getting off on the sensation as she turned to face him while dancing. She put her arms around his shoulders.
"Beautiful eyes you have there. I could get lost in them" she said into his ear, her lips brushing his neck. She was not shy, evidenced by her bold approach from the start. She appeared to be a woman who reveled in the thrill of risk taking. Not bound by conventional human fear, she seemed otherworldly. As bold her as approach was, it wasn’t overly aggressive or off putting the way Penny's approach was.
All that mattered was that he felt good; better than he'd ever felt before. Yvora’s hand found its way to his erection. He wasn’t sure if it was the drugs in his system or his own primal desires for physical intimacy, but he wanted her. There were no reservations this time, like there were with Penny. He let Yvora do as she pleased. He was too far gone in the moment. Hell, I could get used to this, he thought.
Vantz, off in the distance and surrounded by his female entourage, caught a glimpse of Yvora with best friend. He smiled, excited that his best friend was hooking up with one of the most beautiful woman in the city; a rising pop star, to boot. He ordered some more drinks for the group. Penny was off on her own in the VIP area, staring intently at Caiden and Yvora. She was smiling all the same; Turned on, even. She was unfazed by the turn of events. She grabbed the hand of another man who just so happened to be passing by and started to dance with him.
The Grove Street drug seemed to open pleasure synapses deep within Caiden that he had never felt before. He and Yvora locked eyes intensely while moving to the rhythm of the music. Their faces edged closer to one another. The distance between their lips was paper thin. Am I really doing this? Is this really happening? Is this some sort of dream? Caiden wondered. A rush of that warmth flooded his chest and stomach. Her body felt amazing as he gripped her hips. Just as their lips were about to touch, he heard a loud scream. The scream came from the direction of the VIP section; it was Cherry.
“The fuck!?” Caiden tried to get a better look.
There was a commotion in the VIP area and he immediately thought of his best friend. Vantz! He rushed away from Yvora and dashed toward the private section. The brief burst of adrenaline temporarily negated the effects of the Grove Street drug. The crowd was running away from the trouble and making it difficult for Caiden to push his way through, so he put his head down and bull rushed through everyone, knocking people down. He finally reached the section and leapt onto the platform.
“Vantz? Vantz!” he called out frantically.
Upon landing on the platform, the side effects of the drug crept back in. Caiden’s field of vision slowly distorted out of focus. The pulsing sounds of the blaring music and the frantic yelling of the patrons echoed inside his head. Things appeared to be moving in slow motion as the high began to return. He heard Vantz calling out to him.
“Caide! I’m over here!” Vantz cried out, before he was cut off.
Caiden saw Vantz being dragged through the crowd by a tall hooded figure flagged by two other similarly dressed individuals. Why are they taking Vantz? What could they possibly hope to accomplish by doing that? Caiden didn’t have time to think. He sprinted after the assailants and they were quick to notice. One of the attackers unsheathed their weapon and brandished a strange gun, preparing to open fire on Caiden.
The effects of the drug made the speed
