One Night Stand

 

The Nightmare Begins

"You're one of those who caused my problems. You help torment me, and now you will pay with your lifeblood."

Those were the words Faith said to Dominic before she transformed into a horror beyond his imagination. Her face became that of a spider, with rows of sharp teeth longer than his middle finger. Her hands turned into claws as sharp as swords, and she grew much taller than her usual height.

Chasing Trouble

Dominic had been pursuing Faith for six months, trying to get her into bed. She always told him to be patient, but he couldn't wait because of his high libido—an urge people often call a curse because of the trouble it causes.

As Faith transformed into that monster, Dominic crawled under his work table, using chairs as a barricade. He kept whispering, "I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead," before the horror ripped the table away. He looked up to see fangs and claws descending on him and screamed, "Jesus!"

Waking Up in a Cold Sweat

He woke up with a start, discovering it was only a dream. He was drenched in sweat even though the room was freezing. It was midnight.

He shuddered, wondering if he would be able to sleep again. He knelt by his bed to pray. Though he hadn't been a devoted Christian or a regular churchgoer, he believed God was forgiving. Just as he began, a heavy knock sounded at his door. His heart skipped a beat.

"Who is it?" he croaked, looking through the peephole. He couldn't see a face.

"It’s me," a muffled female voice replied. "Dominic! Please open the door, it’s me, Faith!"

He jumped back, his hands shaking. He crossed himself and whispered a prayer. "Faith?"

"Yes, please open the door now."

"But you’re at home," he said, his heart beating with dread. Yet, that same physical urge—the very thing he felt was his weakness—began to override his fear.

"I left home to come see you. Or don’t you want me anymore?" she asked.

He realized then why people called lust such a curse. He wondered if this was a mistake, but looking down, he felt he needed the release for his own sanity. He unlocked the door.

The Temptation Returns

Faith entered with a coy smile. She turned to see Dominic standing stiff as a statue. "Lock the door and come here, fast," she said.

"Why?"

"I want a one-night stand."

"But... the fangs and claws?" he stammered.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, frowning.

"I mean... the fangs in your mouth."

"Do I have fangs?"

"No," he said quickly, "my brain is just foggy."

She pulled off her jacket and sat on the bed. "Well? You've been wanting this for ages, and now that I’ve risked coming here, you’re acting weird."

"It was just a bad dream," he said, wiping sweat from his brow. He tried to force a smile. "You mentioned a one-night stand?"

"Yeah," she said, looking him up and down. "Are you going to... you know?"

Dominic grabbed her hand as she threatened to leave. "Please don’t go. I'm up for it." He pushed her gently onto the bed but then headed toward the kitchen.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to... boost my system," he said.

She laughed. "I know what you're doing. All guys do it before... well, you know."

"It's just a drink to calm my nerves," he protested, pouring a full glass of an herbal male enhancement booster. He drained the glass, ignoring her annoyance.

Panic and Pain

But as he sat on the edge of the bed, his nerves buzzed. He kept seeing flashes of the spider-monster. His eyes darted to the door.

"Are you looking for an escape route?" Faith asked, frustrated. She stood up and started dressing. "I came for a man, and I got a scared kid instead. I'm leaving."

Faith slammed the door, leaving Dominic alone. He hurried to lock it, his head beginning to throb. Suddenly, the effects of the drink kicked in—but not in a good way. A wave of intense, localized pain washed over him.

"Oh, not now, please!" he groaned. By 2:00 AM, the agony was unbearable. He fumbled for the bottle and read the instructions. It called for one tablespoon; he had drunk a full glass.

"I’m done for!" he screamed. "ARRRRRRGH!"

Neighbors to the Rescue

His neighbor, Joy, was jolted awake by the scream. She rushed to his door where another neighbor, Cynthia, was already banging on the wood.

"Dominic, open up!"

"I can't move!" he wailed. He eventually crawled to the door on his hands and knees. When he opened it and they saw his condition, they both gasped.

"What is the meaning of this?" Joy asked.

"I took too much... of that booster," he stammered, tears in his eyes. "I need a hospital."

"This late? In this neighborhood?" Cynthia asked.

"Please! I'll lose my manhood if I don't go!"

They helped him to his feet, struggling to support him as they walked to another neighbor's house. They reached Isaac’s door and pounded on it.

"Isaac, open up! It's an emergency!"

Isaac opened the door a crack. When he saw Dominic's predicament, he shook his head. "One of my friends had this happen. They had to... remove it."

Dominic began to wail. "I'm ruined! All because of a one-night stand with Faith!"

Isaac looked confused. "Which Faith? Faith from the neighborhood? Tall with dimples?"

"Yes!"

"Bro... Faith is right here," Isaac said sheepishly, gesturing to the woman sleeping in his bed.

Dominic froze. Faith had left his house and gone straight to Isaac’s. He had poisoned himself for nothing.

The Bitter Lesson

They rushed him to the hospital. All the way, Cynthia mocked him. "What a shame. A real man shouldn't need a concoction to do his job."

At the hospital, they met Doctor Trump. After examining him, the doctor sighed. "I'm not going to cut it off, but I am disappointed. Why do young men ruin their bodies with these drinks?"

"It was a mistake, sir," Dominic whispered.

"Men eat junk that destroys their health, then rush for boosters to last an hour," Doctor Trump said. "If you want to perform, eat healthy. Burn the belly fat. Eat eggs for nutrients and try fasting to clear your system. Stop taking these dangerous supplements."

Dominic was treated and discharged. As he walked out, he made a silent vow: he was done with boosters and done with chasing women like Faith.