To write a dark romance short story, start by thinking about the themes you want to explore. It could be love and death, obsession, or forbidden love. Then, build your characters. Make one character have a mysterious past or a hidden agenda. For example, a vampire who falls in love with a human. When it comes to the plot, create a series of events that test the relationship. This could be the discovery of a dark family secret that threatens to tear them apart. Also, use vivid imagery to set the tone. If it's a gothic dark romance, describe the dilapidated mansion with its creaking floors and shadowy corners.
Another theme is death and the afterlife. Dark romance often involves the idea of losing a loved one to death and the character's struggle to come to terms with it or their attempts to be reunited in some way. It can also include the idea of loving someone who is already dead or a supernatural being related to death, like a ghost or a reaper.
One example is 'The Fall of the House of Usher' by Edgar Allan Poe. It has elements of dark romance as it tells a story of a decaying family and a strange relationship within the gloomy setting of the Usher mansion. Another is 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte. The passionate and often destructive love between Heathcliff and Catherine is set against the backdrop of the wild moors, filled with dark emotions and fateful events. Also, 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker has a touch of dark romance. Mina Harker has a complex relationship with Dracula that blurs the lines between love and horror.
Another theme is the power of love to both heal and destroy. In short dark romance, love can start out as a glimmer of hope in a dark world but then turn into something that consumes and destroys the characters. For instance, a couple might start out trying to save each other from their own personal demons but end up being dragged further into the darkness because of their relationship.
One common theme is forbidden love. This could be love between different social classes, like a poor person and a wealthy noble in a historical setting, or love that goes against moral or religious norms. Another theme is obsession. Characters might become overly obsessed with their love interests, which can lead to destructive behavior.
Another one could be about a ballerina and a composer. The composer is in love with the ballerina's beauty and grace. However, he has a dark side. He slowly tries to control every aspect of her life. The ballerina, initially in love, starts to realize the toxicity of their relationship but finds it hard to break free due to her deep love for him and his controlling ways which makes for a very dark romance.
A lesser - known but great dark romance short story is 'The Yellow Wallpaper'. It's about a woman's descent into madness while in a relationship where she is not really understood or given the freedom she needs. Her husband's controlling nature and the overall oppressive environment create a dark and disturbing look at a relationship that should be based on love but is instead full of confinement and the destruction of the woman's self - identity.
One great dark romance short story is 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe. It has a sense of mystery and a dark, brooding atmosphere. The narrator's love for Lenore and his encounter with the raven create a unique and somewhat twisted love - related tale.
The 'Dark Dark Wood' short story might be filled with elements of mystery. It could involve a setting within a dark wood, which often symbolizes the unknown or danger in literature. Maybe there are strange creatures or hidden secrets waiting to be discovered there.
It could be a horror story. The repeated 'dark' emphasizes the spooky atmosphere. Maybe there are some unknown and scary things lurking in that dark room.