Art by samalamb-bases.

It was Darlene's turn up to bat with Todd, she was in this for the money.
She had herself ready to go, but was ashamed to let him inside to pick her up. Her apartment was a very cheap one on the town limits, while she carried herself with dignity and tried to not let it show that she was very much down on her luck. She wasn't one to take charity, figuring there were others that needed it more than she did.
She waited out on her little porch for him to pull up, getting cat-called by the ne'er-do-wells in her neighborhood.
Darlene: "Okay this is no big deal just a date with a guy. He's not Heimrich, he's just a corgi. He won't try to hurt you."
She repeated this to herself for a few minutes waiting for him to pull up.
She was worried about this date, trying to keep her wits about her.
It'd been a while since she'd been out with a man, her last boyfriend Heimrich who was an abusive Rottweiler had mostly soured her on dating guys.
Though she mostly went out with Stephanie for companionship, and to have a little fun. After all every woman has her needs.
But for her a $100 was the difference in paying her rent and being homeless, plus the free meal was a nice bonus.
She just had to put up with what she assumed was a rich, womanizing, playboy for an evening.
Before she knew it he had pulled up in her driveway, hopping out of the car he made his way over to her carrying roses and a box of candy, his tail wagging happily.
Todd: "Hello there Darlene! Are you ready to head out? I have a fun evening planned for us."
She tried to sound enthused but half-hoped he hadn't shown up.
Darlene: "Uh sure? What were you planning on doing exactly? Thanks for the flowers schatz."
Todd: "Well I was thinking maybe we could go to the seafood place down by the bay, and maybe out to the club to get our groove on. Wait what did you just call me?"
Darlene's eyebrow raised: "You mean schatz? It's German for darling. I figured you wouldn't mind me calling you that."
Todd: "No problem on my end with it milyy."
Darlene: "Milyy? Was ist das?"
Todd: "Sorry I dated a Russian for quite a while and I guess she rubbed off on me, it's the same as schatz."

Darlene went to put the flowers away, making sure Todd didn't see inside her house before joining him in his front seat.
Darlene: "Well lets get going then, can't be out past town curfew you know. What's up with that anyway? I didn't want to seem dumb asking anyone so I just went along with it."
Todd: "The curfew? Well you see Darlene there is a monster that roams the streets at night looking for some poor innocent soul to devour." Darlene laughed till her sides hurt at the shear absurdity of it.
Darlene: "You mean to tell me that in a civilized town like this you all still believe in monsters? Ha! There's no such thing as monsters that creep around like that."
Todd looked at her and said: "Easy for you to say that, you haven't come face to face with it."

Darlene looked worried she'd been set up with someone who belonged in a psych ward but quickly changed the subject.
Darlene: "Anyway, how is the crab at that place you mentioned?"
Todd: "Pretty good going by what a food critic friend told me. I'm happy with tilapia myself, but you order anything you want."
The pair soon arrived at the restaurant in question being welcomed in open arms by the proprietor, an old friend of the Bakers.
They were given a booth in a private dining area away from the hustle and bustle of the main area.
The candle's were lit and a bottle of non-alcoholic apple cider was being chilled to perfection.
The doggy duo had an excellent meal while beautiful violin music played softly around them. 'though they had a bit of difficulty getting into the crab meat.
Darlene: "You know, I wasn't expecting a private booth. Heck I figured we'd end up at that little diner downtown."
Todd: "What can I say I wanted to try and make a good impression on you."
Darlene: "Well so far so good on that. Will you excuse me just a minute?"
She then headed off to the restroom straightening herself up a bit, making sure she was still presentable.
Darlene: "Okay, not as bad as I was expecting. He's a little weird but he seems harmless. Just have to make it through clubbing with him and then I can go home and collect my money in the morning."
Meanwhile at the table Todd was paying the bill for the evening and thanking the owner for getting the special booth for him.
After about five minutes Darlene returned so they could head out for the nightclub.
It was a reasonably classy place, plenty of room for couples to dance and enjoy themselves.
She had a shot or two of Jägermeister while Todd had a Roy Rogers on the rocks. A particularly lively song started playing and got their toes tapping and both in the mood to dance, despite her being a good foot taller than him he dipped and even lifted her up on the dancefloor.
But alas the good times had to end as it was almost nine o'clock and the pair had to leave.
Driving her back home Todd realized there wasn't time to drop her off and get home himself before the monster would be on the prowl for her next victim.
Darlene started speaking a mix of German and English having apparently taken in more alcohol than she realized.
Darlene: "Ya know, you are pretty fun kleiner mann? Ich bin eine gute zeit haben!"
He chuckled and thought to himself, *I wish I would've learned German instead of Spanish. But she looks happy whatever she just said.* Todd: "You know I wasn't sure about dating another dog closer to my size but you have been a delight."
Just then crossing the street in front of them stood the tall, nightmarish form of the town monster, a Wendigo.
The full moon illuminating her in contrast to the dark woods around her.
Darlene looked ahead seeing her walk across the two-lane road in two steps. Todd tried to keep his cool worried that it might come back and chase them. Darlene however was in full panic mode finally believing the corgis crazy story.
Darlene: "Was zur Hölle war das!!"
Todd: "Now that I understood, that my dear was the monster."

Upon arrival at Darlene's apartment the normally tough and unwavering Doberman said with her voice trembling: "Bitte verlass mich nicht!"
Todd: "Huh?"
Darlene: "What I mean is, please don't leave me! Please come in I don't want to be alone right now!"
He nodded and went inside with her. Seeing her shabby little apartment, the furniture being just a worn out couch, a dresser missing some drawers, and a mini fridge.
Todd: "I'm sorry you had to see that thing."
She was curled up on the couch looking like she was about to have a full blown panic attack. He raised his hand going to reach over and try to console her, but seeing a man in that position above her in her very unstable state made things that much worse.
Darlene: "AHH Heimrich no!!"
She snarled, and bared her teeth at the corgi in self defense. Seeing those snarling teeth aimed at him he hit the floor in fright, backing into a corner and covering his face reminding him of when he was mauled by his ex.
Todd: "No no no not again!!"
Darlene swiftly covered her mouth realizing what she was doing and ran over to Todd, who by now was cowering in the corner. As she charged in his direction he expected to look up and have his throat ripped out. He instead saw Darlene throwing her arms around him. The two just held each other and sobbed for a while.
Darlene: "You are staying here with me tonight. I am not sending you back out with that, that thing on the loose. May I confess something Todd?"
Todd: "Of course, what is it? You can tell me anything you want."
Darlene: "I didn't want to go out tonight, frankly your dad has been paying us to go out with you. Though Kichaa was going to do it for free."
Todd: "I figured it was no coincidence that his workers were so interested in me all of a sudden. I know he just doesn't want me to be alone."
Darlene: "You aren't upset? I figured that might sting a bit. But I'll tell you this, I'm glad we went out. Come let's get some rest shall we?"

The two spent a mostly peaceful night snuggling on the couch for warmth, each waking the other if they had a nightmare. When morning came Todd gave her a kiss on the cheek as she was waking up with a slight hangover.
Darlene: "Hmm? Oh good morning schatz. I would offer to make you breakfast but I'm afraid the fridge is pretty bare."
Todd: "That's okay, I've been awake for a while and I was wanting to ask you something."
Darlene: "What is it Todd?"
He asked her nervously: "Would you like to move in with me?" Darlene was a little stunned by this to say the least.
Darlene: "What!? You want me to move in after one date!? What kind of woman do you take me for?"
Todd: "Don't get me wrong you'd have your own room, my roommate Riley moved out last week and well you deserve somewhere better to lay your head at night."
Darlene: "You mean I... I'm sorry for snapping at you like that. I'm not sure how much rent I could afford to pay you."
Todd: "Did you hear me ask for any? Riley didn't pay any either, I just don't like going to bed in an empty house. Heh, it'd save you some money and I get a good night's sleep again. How does that sound? And the bedrooms are sound proof so if you ever want to bring someone home you don't have to worry about being quiet."
Darlene: "You'd do that? Wait this isn't some kind of trick to get me into some kind of trafficking ring is it?"
Todd: "Do I seem like the kind of guy to do that? You know my dad and do either of us seem dangerous?"
Darlene: "You, no. Your father, maybe."
Todd: "Well anyway let's get you packed up and head out shall we?"
Darlene: "Sure thing schatz."
She gave him a loving hug and a sweet canine lick before they packed up her belongings and moved her to a much safer home.