Dark Love

The air conditioner is working perfectly,in this chilled room Samuel Steve is still panting and sweating, wrapped under grey sheets sleeping on his bed being extremely distressed, as his dreams dragged him into darkness he had vivid flashes from his past. He shouts, “I RENOUNCE YOU!”. Hearing Samuel’s shriek, his best friend, Kronos, came into his room.

Kronos, a huge muscular Canis Panther, was Samuel’s best friend and protector. Samuel got out of his bed and petted and comforted Kronos who was worried for Samuel. Samuel then went to the washroom and turned on the shower. The hot steamy water helped him relax as he kept thinking about the nightmare he had.

He looked at himself in the mirror and saw the mark on his back. A Pentagram burned in his skin. Samuel looked at the mark with pain in his eyes and with a soft chuckle he said, “No matter how far I run away, this mark keeps reminding me who I really am. I will always hate you dad for giving me this cursed present on my eighteenth birthday.”

Samuel walked out of his shower and got dressed. He sat with Kronos and petted him gently and with a soft smile he said, “Don’t worry pal I know you are always there for me. My protector and my best friend and I will forever be grateful to you for saving my life and for helping me get rid of that cursed life that consumed my soul and succumbed me to darkness. But we are far away from it. We are finally at peace and you and I are living happily.” Samuel took Kronos for a walk and tried sorting his head and escaping his dark nightmares.

Samuel and Kronos came back home and Samuel checked his laptop. He had an email from the college. He was shortlisted for the scholarship program offered by the university. He was really happy. He finally had a shot at a happy, peaceful and mundane life.

He was excited and exclaimed with happiness, “We are going to college!!” Samuel hugged Kronos tightly and he was feeling on cloud nine. His happiness and excitement had no limits and instantly he started preparing for his college.

Samuel walked through the college gate and was laying low keeping a distance from everyone due to his fear of his cover getting blown but destiny had other plans. Sam met Abi and his eyes locked onto Abi's across the crowded classroom. Their gazes ignited a spark that refused to fade. In those innocent eyes he found the light that he had been looking for, her aura was so peaceful that he felt comfort & sense of piousness just by being around her and for her he felt the love defying logic and reason.

Abigail, a simple beautiful girl, with blonde hair and green eyes, was just an average looking girl but she had something within her that kept Samuel attracted to her. Even though Abi was irresistibly attractive, Samuel decided to maintain a distance from her because Sam didn’t want anyone to learn about his past or his family background.

Soon the classes were over and it was lunch time. Sam decided to sit alone at a corner but Abi was too nice and kind, she noticed Sam sitting alone and joined him at the table.

Abi tried breaking the ice with Sam, “Enjoying the food alone? You know the food tastes better with friends.” said Abigail as she chuckled softly. “I don’t have friends and I don’t want any either. I am an orphan so naturally I prefer staying alone and the only one I can share my time and space with is Kronos.” Sam responded in a cold tone.

Even though Sam had a cold behaviour, Abi’s kind heart just saw loneliness and felt pity for Sam. She consoled Sam and in a soft voice replied, “I am sorry about your family. But family isn’t the people we are born with, It’s the people who stick with us through thick and thin and you still have a chance to make your own family in this college. You can consider me your friend and I would love it if you come along with me and spend some time with me and my friends. They’re really nice people and will surely treat you like a family.”

Abigail’s words worked like magic on Samuel, his gaze softened and his heart melted. Samuel was lost in Abi’s eyes and somehow Samuel agreed with Abigail’s suggestion and just nodded in agreement with a soft smile on his face.

Abigail giggled with excitement and dragged Samuel out of his seat and took him to her friends’ group to introduce him to them. “Alright everyone! This is Samuel Steve, our new family member. We are officially a family of four. Cheers to love, laughter, happiness and family!” said Abigail as she introduced Samuel to her friends, Elijah and Roselynn.

Sam felt like his curse of darkness and solitude was broken because of Abigail’s presence. Abi was like an angel of light who broke Sam out of the misery and Sam felt he was finally at peace and at home. He now had a family, hope and a chance of living a mundane life with happiness and love.

Elijah and Roselynn were happy to see Samuel and they introduced themselves to Samuel. “Welcome to the family, Sam!”. They both exclaimed in an excited tone. “I am Roselynn but you can call me ‘Rose’. Glad to meet you Sam. Tell us something about yourself please?” Roselynn said in a polite and soft tone.

Samuel was really happy at the warm welcome and in a nervous tone he said, “As Abi already told you guys, I am Sam and that’s all there is about me. I am an orphan, I live with a dog and there is nothing interesting about me.” Elijah cheered Samuel up and said, “You’re cool man. You got a dog, I wish I could have one. But don’t you ever say you’re an orphan because now you are our family and you are not an orphan anymore.” Samuel smiled at the kind words of Elijah. Elijah continued, “And by the way, I am Elijah, I am Rose’s best friend and dance partner.” Samuel chuckled, “Dance partner? You two are taking part in a competition or something?”

Roselynn responded, “Yeah we are taking part in the college’s dance competition but not just the two of us, Abi wants to take part too but she hasn’t found her partner yet.” After a short pause, Roselynn continued, “You know what? You are truly a saviour Sam, I hope you know dancing and if not we will teach you. You must agree to being Abi’s dance partner for this competition. The entries are closing today and Abi doesn’t have much time so I will get you two registered while you put on your dancing shoes and start the practice.”

Abigail looked at Samuel with excitement and said, “Great idea Rose! Why didn’t I think of this before? Samuel, you'll be my dance partner for this competition. I really want to win and I won’t take ‘No’ for an answer.”

Samuel panicked and got nervous since the only dance he knew was the one his people used to perform at the satanic rituals. But he couldn’t say ‘No’ to Abigail while she was looking at him with excitement and high hopes. Samuel said in a nervous tone, “Alright I will be your partner Abi, but think again, you might regret this decision. I am a terrible dancer. I can’t promise you victory.”

Abigail looked into Samuel’s eyes and said, “I will never regret doing anything with you by my side Sam. As for dancing, we will teach you and as far as victory is concerned, every moment of joy I spend with you is itself an achievement.”

Samuel was just mesmerized by Abigail’s beautiful eyes that reflected love and kindness and her words melted Samuel’s heart. The entire group agreed to the dance practice and Roselynn got them all registered. They grabbed some food together and were very excited for the dance practices and for the fun moments they’ll have in future.

They decided to begin the dance practice from tomorrow and today they’d just go to a club and celebrate Samuel’s addition to the family. They all partied till late and once they were done with their little adventures they all went home.

The next day, Samuel went to his college just like usual. But today he was hanging out with his new family. He felt peace and comfort especially with Abigail being around him. They took the classes together and had lunch together. After college, Elijah asked Samuel to introduce them to his dog. “He is always with me. Wait, I’ll call him, but I must tell you I don’t have a poodle or something. My dog is a Canis Panther and he may seem scary but he is the sweetest soul I know.” Samuel said as he whistled. Upon hearing Samuel’s whistle, Kronos came running to him. Kronos barked at Samuel’s friends furiously but Samuel calmed him down and told him they’re family.

The girls were a little scared seeing Kronos but Elijah was impressed and thrilled. “You have a cool dog! He was around the campus all this time and we didn’t even notice him. You really trained him well. The bullies need to stay beware of you.” Elijah said as he chuckled softly. “Does he bite?” Abigail asked softly as sh