The One and Only

Act I

     It's always interesting when others try and see through you when you meet them, especially when their brains aren't advanced enough to succeed at doing the task they set out to do. With those who can read others, it's fun to watch them squirm when they finally figure out who you are. Seeing into their eyes, you see them fill up to the brim with fear and misery. They know the darkest parts of yourself and the best part is seeing them suffocate on their emotions. Many will try and politely excuse themselves. Others flee the scene immediately. One, however, blinked and grinned at the dark.

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     His eyes shined a bright hazel, darkened locks flowing in the breeze. The very essence of the man beside him exuded light and contrasted greatly against the clouded, dark skies. Dorian's feet and his both swayed in synchrony, leaning against one another for warmth and company. A hand grasped one of the others and held it close, pulling it up to their lips to kiss it gently. Dorian replied with a laugh and leaned closer to kiss the cold cheek of his lover..

     "You're such a romantic, Basil."

     The other's face somehow brightened more as his lips formed a wide smile.

     "Only for you, Dory."

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     The funny thing about darkness is that it's always there and, when a light source dims, it grows. When a source is broken, however, other things shatter along with it. Trust. Love. Hope. Pride. Confidence. Sanity. But, when darkness grows, so does one's soul. Misshapen, it forms into one of insanity and pure madness. Paranoia. Mania. Numbness. Guilt... Misery... Isolation... He grinned at the dark within Dorian, face crazed as he crushed two lamps under his feet. As Dorian laid on the floor, writhing in pain and agony, Basil crushed another and left alongside it.

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     The bodies of Henry and Margaret Vane were now ash, caught in the crossfire of the fight. Adrenaline and anger pumped through his veins, his brain too busy to process the injuries he gained. With his last burst of energy, Dorian screamed and tore out the core of the one he loved. The light died from Basil's eyes and the light inside Dorian vanished. A painful sob wrecked through his entire being, falling onto the man he married and cherished with all of his heart. His entire body throbbed, holding onto the still-beating heart of Basil with the only limb he had left. Anger dissipated. Sadness took rage's place. With one final look up at his lover, he fell into a deep sleep against his chest... just as he always had done.

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     Turmoil. Grief. Sadness. Chaos... As much as he didn't want to admit it, betrayal grasped his heart and shook up all he thought was good and right. Shadows grew larger, the silence deafening. Even so, he couldn't help but lay in their bed, hugging himself as best as he could with one arm and convincing himself that Basil was still there. The truth ripped him apart. Knowing wasn't a blessing; it was a curse. As his love lay there on the cracked wooden floor and he slowly fell unconscious, Dorian heard it one last time.

     "I love you, my sweet honeydew... I'm sorry it had to come to this... I..." A pause could be heard as the darkness took over his vision, Basil gasping for air. "Forgive me, my dear..."

     Dorian found himself sobbing for the fourteenth time since he had woken up. He let out a loud scream, right hand clawing at his face. Dark crimson liquid easily found its way down his face as a woman rushed into the room and peeled his hand away. Pinning him down wasn't hard and Dorian gave up quickly. He felt himself being pulled into a hug and, as his sister held him, black dots refilled his vision. She laid down as he wept and Dorian Vane passed out in her arms.

    Knowing was a curse, but it was a curse Dorian embraced wholeheartedly.