Fear could be a theme. The darkness in which the murder occurs is often associated with fear. The characters in the story might be driven by fear, either the fear of the unknown killer or the fear of being wrongly accused. Also, the fear of the dark can heighten the tension in the story.
Justice is likely a theme. The search for the murderer is essentially a search for justice. Whether justice is served in the end, and how the characters strive for it in the face of this dark and violent act, can be important elements in exploring this theme within the short story.
One possible theme could be justice. The story might be about how the murderer is brought to justice in a short and concise way. Another theme could be guilt. The killer may experience guilt throughout the story.
Fear is a likely theme. The darkness of the room can symbolize the unknown which often induces fear in people.
One aspect of 'Murder in the Dark' could be its suspense. The title itself creates an air of mystery. It likely involves a murder that takes place in a dark setting, which adds to the spooky and uncertain atmosphere.
One possible theme could be isolation. The dancer is in the dark, which might suggest she is alone. Another theme could be self - expression. Through dancing, she is expressing something about herself.
Another theme might be the power of reflection. Not just in the literal sense of looking in the mirror, but reflecting on one's actions and choices. In a dark mirror context, this reflection could be a source of pain or regret. For example, a character might see in the mirror all the wrong decisions they've made in their life and how it has led them to a dark place. It could also touch on the theme of isolation. If the mirror shows a world that is different from the real one, the character might feel isolated from others who don't experience the same distorted view.
One possible theme could be fear. Since it involves 'the dark ones', fear of the unknown or the malevolent is likely.
One possible theme could be the fear of the unknown. Since it's set in a situation like'murder in the dark', the characters are likely to be in a state of unease about what might happen next. Another theme might be the breakdown of trust. In a scenario where there is a sense of danger, trust among the characters can easily be shattered.
One possible theme could be revenge. Maybe Vivien was killed as part of someone's revenge plot.
Isolation could be a theme. In the dark, one can feel very alone. If it's a story about a person in a dark place, they might be cut off from others and have to deal with their situation by themselves. Also, survival can be a theme. If the 'in the dark' situation is dangerous, like in a dark cave full of hazards, the characters would be focused on surviving.
One possible theme could be fear. The very idea of a dark house often evokes a sense of unease and terror. Another theme might be mystery. There could be secrets hidden within the walls of the house that the characters are trying to uncover. For example, the mystery of what happened to the previous owners or what lurks in the attic.