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1-The call of speed
🕑 Added 2024-11-25 22:40:01 +0000 UTCThe streets of the city had a dual personality. During the day, they were quiet, routine, almost monotonous. But when night fell, something changed. The asphalt began to tell stories of speed, of deafening roars, of pure adrenaline. They were dangerous, unpredictable streets, but if you knew how to look carefully, they were anything but boring. There, cars became the real protagonists, machines that crossed like rays of light, exceeding 180 kilometers per hour while their modifications shone like war trophies.
In this world of noise and metal, there was no room for middle ground. Cars of all models and styles paraded through those streets: from the humblest and oldest, assembled with creativity and second-hand parts, to luxury supercars that roared like unleashed beasts. But in that universe, the price of the car didn't matter so much as the soul of the person driving it.
Alex Rivera lived fascinated by that world. For as long as he could remember, cars were his escape, his refuge, his obsession. And although he dreamed of being part of that scene someday, until now, he was just a spectator. Today was different. Today was his seventeenth birthday, and his friend and boss, Marcos, had called him. The message had been clear: "At twelve o'clock sharp. At the workshop. Don't miss." It was more than an invitation, it was an order. And Alex knew that Marcos did not accept excuses.
He had worked with him since he was thirteen in a mechanic's workshop, a place that had become his second home. But he had never attended a clandestine car meeting, despite his wishes. They were not easy to find: the police had the racers in their sights, and these meetings were so secret that they were not even mentioned on social networks. If you were there, it was because someone had beaten you to it. And this time, Marcos wanted Alex to be present.
Alex had hesitated to go. Tomorrow was Monday, school day, and his mother probably wouldn't notice if he was absent, but the thought of running away made him feel a little guilty. Anyway, he knew that if he didn't go, Marcos would pester him to death. He had insisted in his characteristic tone: "If you don't come, I'll kill you." Although he said it as a joke, there was something in his voice that made him understand that he couldn't refuse.
With a certain nervous excitement, Alex dressed for the occasion. He didn't have much, but he made an effort. A black jacket that he always wore, some tight jeans, and his old second-hand Jordans. It might not have been a flashy outfit, but for him it was the best he had. As he crossed the threshold of his house in silence, he told himself that this was important, that it was worth the risk. His mother probably wouldn't even notice his absence. As always.
He arrived at the workshop a few minutes before the agreed time. The place was completely dark. Marcos was nowhere to be seen. Alex took out his cell phone and sent a quick message: "I'm here." He looked at the screen, waiting for a response, but nothing. One, two, three minutes passed. He looked around, anxious. The workshop was still completely silent, the lights off, the shutters closed.
He approached the gate and poked his head out, looking for any sign of life inside, but everything was empty. Then he heard it.
First there was a distant sound, a roar that echoed between the buildings like the call of a beast. It was an engine, and not just any engine. The noise was low, visceral, as if the metal was alive and roaring with pure fury. Alex turned his head toward the street, his heart beating faster by the second. He could feel that roar getting closer, louder and louder, more imposing.
And then he saw it.
From the darkest corner, a flash of lights emerged like lightning. A Nissan Skyline R33 appeared, black as night, illuminated only by the glow of the neighborhood lights. The car advanced like a predator stalking its prey, engine roaring and exhaust spitting fire with each gear change. The tires screeched as they took the last turn, leaving rubber marks on the asphalt as the Skyline came to a stop in front of the workshop.
The air seemed to stand still. Alex couldn't take his eyes off that machine. It was perfect, a dream come true. The reflection of the lights on the black paint of the car made it look more like a shadow than a physical object. The exhaust pipe roared once more, and the sound made the ground vibrate beneath his feet. Inside the car, the bass of a 50 Cent song rumbled loudly, adding an aura of danger and style to the moment.
The driver's window slowly rolled down, and there stood Marcos. A big smile crossed his face, as if he knew exactly the effect he had caused. He was wearing dark glasses, despite the night, and he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he looked at Alex.
"What are you looking at, idiot?" Marcos said with amusement, turning off the music. "Get in."
Alex could barely react. His heart was pounding, his hands were shaking, but without a second thought, he opened the passenger door and climbed in. The interior of the Skyline smelled of leather and gasoline, a heady mix that made Alex feel like he had stepped into another world. The clocks on the dashboard glowed with neon lights, and the purring of the engine made his chest vibrate.
“Ready to see what the real world is like?” Marcos asked, lightly pressing the accelerator and making the engine roar as if answering the question.
Alex nodded, unable to find the words. The Skyline roared one last time before taking off, and in that instant, Alex knew nothing would ever be the same again.
Alex fastened his seatbelt as he tried to hold back a smile. His gaze jumped between Marcos’ confident face and the Skyline’s illuminated dashboard, which looked like a rocket ready to take off.
“You finally bought it!” Alex exclaimed, excited. “I can’t believe you have it!”
Marcos laughed as he expertly turned the wheel to take a sharp turn. "I bought it two months ago, kid. Brought it straight from Japan. Just wanted to surprise you at the right time."
"It's a beast! I can't believe you're driving this!" Alex tapped the dashboard, as if he couldn't resist the urge to verify that it was real.
"Believe it," Marcos said with a grin before flooring the accelerator.
The roar of the RB26 engine echoed through the night like thunder announcing a storm. The Skyline's wheels skidded slightly as it shot out onto a wider avenue. The exhaust roared and spit flames as it shifted gears, and the speed engulfed everything. Traffic lights and streetlights became mere flashes of light that disappeared behind them. Alex clung to the seat as his heart beat in time with the engine.
"Where the hell are we going?!" Alex shouted, laughing nervously.
Marcos, eyes fixed on the road, answered without lifting his foot off the accelerator. “It’s your birthday present. But first, I want you to see something. Something that will change your life.”
The Skyline took an exit and joined a highway. The cars going at normal speed seemed to stop in comparison to them. The roar of the engine and the hum of the wind filled the interior of the car, creating an atmosphere of pure adrenaline. Alex couldn’t help but feel alive, completely awake in that instant.
“Are we leaving the city?” Alex asked, noticing the buildings being replaced by a darker, more open landscape.
“Patience,” Marcos replied, cracking a smile.
The drive continued for a few more minutes, with the Skyline dominating the highway. Marcos finally took an exit onto a side street, a darker, tree-lined road. Alex noticed the sound of music and roaring engines beginning to fill the air. As they drove forward, bright neon lights and flashing headlights began to appear between the trees.
As they rounded the final curve, Alex couldn't believe what he was seeing.
A huge parking lot opened up before them, lit by dozens of neon lights and headlights from cars parked in formation. The place was filled with vehicles of all makes and styles: European sports cars, Japanese classics, American muscle cars, all modified to the extreme. The sound of roaring engines and popping exhausts filled the air, mixed with the thumping of electronic and hip-hop music coming from speakers scattered around the place.
"Welcome to the real scene, Alex," Marcos said as he parked the Skyline in a row of flashy cars.
Alex got out of the car and felt like his heart was going to burst. The atmosphere was vibrant, chaotic and exciting. Groups of people gathered around the cars, some admiring the open engines and modifications, while others prepared for what were clearly underground races. On one corner, girls in tight, provocative clothing posed next to a Supra with chrome paint that gleamed under the lights. In the distance, he could see a couple of cars doing burnouts, filling the air with the smell of burning rubber.
“This is amazing!” Alex said as he spun around, trying to take it all in.
Marcos patted him on the shoulder. “This is just the beginning. This is where real people live. It doesn’t matter where you come from here, just how you race.”
Marcos moved over to the Skyline and pulled a briefcase out of the trunk, leaving Alex to continue exploring. The boy walked between the cars, marveling at the details: huge spoilers, custom rims, sound systems that made the floor vibrate, and engines so modified they barely seemed to fit under the hoods.
Suddenly, a deafening roar made him turn his head. A Nissan Silvia S15 with a matte black paint job was sliding through the parking lot, skidding around parked cars at a nearly impossible angle. People cheered and screamed as the car finished its maneuver with a perfect turn.
“What do you think, kid?” Marcos asked, reappearing at his side.
Alex, his eyes still fixed on the Silvia, replied, “This… this is like being in another world.”
Marcos smiled. “And this is where it all starts. There will be racing tonight, but we’re not here just to watch. I want you to meet some people. If you’re going to get into this world, you need allies, and this is your chance.”
Marcos led Alex toward a group of racers surrounding a yellow Mazda RX-7 with blue LED lights underneath. They were a loud, self-assured bunch, but when they saw Marcos, their expressions changed. They greeted him respectfully, clapping him on the back.
“This the kid you told me about?” asked one of them, a tall man in a leather jacket and dark glasses.
“Himself,” Marcos replied, pushing Alex forward slightly. “Kid, meet Adrian. He’s one of the best here. Learn from him and you’ll be fine.”
Adrian looked Alex up and down, then smiled. “You look like a rookie, but we all start somewhere. Do you have a car yet?”
Alex shook his head, feeling a little intimidated. "No... not yet."
Adrian laughed. "That will change soon. Just make sure you don't end up against a pole on your first race."
The night continued with adrenaline-filled races. Alex watched enthralled as the cars sped through the parking lot and faded into the nearby highway, with the crowd cheering and betting loudly. Every roar of the engine and every impossible maneuver drew him further into the world.
And although he didn't know it yet, that night would be the start of something that would change his life forever.
It was the best birthday Alex had ever had in his life. In fact, he had never celebrated one, neither with cake nor presents, but tonight made up for it all. The roar of the engines, the neon lights, and the vibrant energy of the place had him enraptured. This was his world, and now it seemed like he was starting to become a part of it.
Marcos looked at him with a satisfied smile, clearly enjoying Alex's excitement. But before he could say anything, a sexy blonde girl dressed in a bikini and a short skirt walked over with a confident step. Her heels clicked on the asphalt as she waved her hand to get Marcos' attention.
"Honey, you're here!" she said, flashing a big smile.
Alex recognized the girl instantly. It was Vanessa, Marcos' girlfriend. He knew they had been together for at least five years, although this was the first time he had seen her up close. Vanessa radiated confidence, her blonde hair flowing under the parking lot lights. People around her waved at her, making it clear that she was not just a figurehead; She was an important part of this world.
"Yeah, babe. It's Alex's birthday. How could I miss something like that?" Marcos replied as Vanessa turned to Alex with a charming smile.
"Happy birthday, silly boy! Seventeen already, huh? You're quite the grandpa," she joked as she wrapped him in a warm hug. Alex, who was not used to this kind of attention, instantly blushed, eliciting laughter from both Vanessa and Marcos.
"Anyway," Vanessa said, stepping back and crossing her arms with an air of amusement, "it's your turn now."
Alex frowned, confused. "Our turn what?" he asked, looking first at Vanessa and then at Marcos.
Marcos grinned from ear to ear and patted his shoulder. "Shut up and follow me, kid."
Not knowing exactly what was going on, Alex followed Marcos as he walked between the rows of shiny cars. The roar of the engines and the hum of the music filled the air like an electric chorus. Finally, they arrived back at Marcos' Skyline, which gleamed under the lights like a predator ready to hunt.
"Get in," Marcos said, pointing to the passenger seat.
Alex complied, his heart beating rapidly. He had barely sat down and buckled up when the RB26 engine roared loudly as it came to life. Marcos revved the throttle a couple of times, causing the exhaust to spit fire and fill the air with the Skyline's deafening roar. People around turned to look, some cheering and others quickly moving out of the way as the car shot forward, passing through the row of parked cars.
"What are we going to do now?" Alex asked, trying to hold back a nervous smile as the Skyline moved into a larger area of the parking lot.
"Bring the car in properly, kid," Marcos replied with a sly grin.
The Skyline stopped in front of a group of girls holding checkered flags. They were marking the start of races. Around them, other cars were already lined up, engines roaring, ready to go. Neon lights reflected off the bodies of the cars, and the smoke from the burnouts filled the air with the unmistakable smell of burning rubber.
Alex's eyes widened as he realized what was happening. "Wait, what! We're racing?" he asked, half surprised and half excited.
"And why not?" Marcos replied matter-of-factly. "I didn't buy this car to leave it parked, did I?"
Before Alex could protest, Marcos turned the wheel and lined the Skyline up on the starting line next to a Toyota Supra and a Mazda RX-7, both modified to the extreme. The drivers of the other cars looked at the Skyline, some with respect and others with defiance. The Supra had a bright orange paint job and a massive spoiler, while the RX-7 sported a black body with red vinyl and LED lights that glowed like a hellish glow.
“Get ready,” Marcos said as he adjusted his position in the seat. “This isn’t just racing. It’s a battle.”
Alex nodded, still trying to process how quickly everything was happening. The girls with the flags slowly walked between the cars, building up the tension. The crowd moved closer, screaming and cheering as the engines roared like caged wild animals, ready to be unleashed.
“Marcos… are you sure we can win this?” Alex asked, glancing sideways at the other cars.
Marcos laughed. “It’s not about winning, kid. It’s about proving you’re here to stay.”
The girl with the flag raised both hands. The air was filled with an almost tangible anticipation. Alex could feel the sweat on his palms and the pounding of his heart in his ears. In an instant, the flags fell, and everything exploded.
Marcos floored the accelerator, and the Skyline shot out, leaving behind a cloud of white smoke and the ear-piercing scream of tires. The Supra and RX-7 launched themselves side by side, each roaring like an unleashed beast. The racing lights illuminated the road, and the entire world seemed to compress into a straight line.
The Skyline surged forward like a missile, engine roaring as Marcos shifted gears with pinpoint precision. The Supra tried to pass on the right, but Marcos swerved slightly, blocking its way. The RX-7 stayed close, its exhaust flaring with each gear change.
“Left!” Alex shouted, seeing a sudden swerve.
“Got it!” Marcos replied, twisting the wheel hard. The Skyline skidded slightly, its tires squealing as it took the turn with deadly grace. The Supra and RX-7 followed close behind, but neither managed to get past.
The race continued, every second filled with pure adrenaline. Alex could barely breathe, but at that moment he didn't care. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.
And, for the first time, he felt like something big was about to begin.
End of Chapter 1
