One-Night Stand Almost Scared Me Sober

I swallowed the pills my buddy Danny had brought me. I needed a pick-me-up, and my usual favorites weren’t working.

“They give you crazy energy,” he said. “They sharpen your senses and make you see and hear things you never noticed before.”

"Nice.” I barely listened as I grabbed my car keys, and I didn’t bother asking questions.

Minutes later, my brain fog lifted, and sounds and colors intensified. Everything felt electric, effervescent. But I was unprepared for other effects.

That afternoon, I ran errands, stopping by the car wash first. I handed my card to the cashier, a woman older than my mother.

“Thanks, sweetie,” she said, her smile lingering too long.

I stuffed the card into my wallet, but after hearing her next words, I froze: Ooooh, I’d get rowdy with that young thing.

My head snapped up, and I frowned. Wait—did she just say that? Her mouth wasn’t moving, but I swear that was her voice.

I shook my head, figuring I was imagining things, but then, I heard the voice again: Don’t be obscene, Janet. He’s younger than your son.

Awkward. I didn't need to hear that, but how did I?

Then, my heart skipped as I recalled Danny's words: "You'll see and hear things you never noticed."

Apparently that included hearing people's thoughts. However, I also heard my neighbors' thoughts, my mother's thoughts, and even my trainer Doug's thoughts: I could bounce a quarter off that…

But I didn't need to hear the rest. "Gotta go," I'd shouted, grabbing my keys. I had to call Danny.

I explained everything, but he didn't have answers. "I didn't expect this to happen, so I don't know how long it will last. It could be permanent."

"What?" I shouted, incredulous.

But I needed a plan.

That night, I drank heavily at the bar, hoping to quiet my mind, and I even bought shots for Jasmine, a girl I met. To my surprise, the more I drank, the fewer thoughts I heard.

Five shots later, Jasmine came home with me, and the rest was a blur.

But the next morning, my eyes bulged in horror as the sunlight streamed inside: Janet, the car wash cashier, snored her brains out beside me, looking blissful.

I sat up. Where’s Jasmine? What the hell? I glanced down. No clothing in sight. I felt like a hunted animal. Shit.

I grabbed my phone, hands trembling as I read Danny's text: "Btw, don't drink with that pill. Causes serious hallucinations.”

Now you tell me, I thought.

Seconds later, Janet's eyes popped open, and she flashed a mischievous grin. Then, before I knew what was happening, she climbed on top, duct-taped my mouth, and handcuffed me.

I waited for her thoughts to come—they could help me now—but nothing came. Just silence.

"Shhh," she said, a blade glinting beside her as she prepared a chloroform rag.

Then, I faded out, and everything went black.