Us Dark Few (Us Dark Few, #1)

by Alexis Patton

If life was measured by the lessons I’ve learned, I would be immortal. – Khalani Kanes

Whoever first said “there is nowhere to go but up,” lied. Things can always get worse. Always. You can plummet further between those cracks and crevices, because no true rock-bottom exists to halt the descent of misfortune.

Love was like gravity. Pulling and tugging you down to the deepest depths, exposing your core vulnerabilities, ripping barriers apart, and leaving you with nothing but space.

she ignored the obvious red flags and insisted they were a deep shade of orange.

Friendships don’t have to make sense to those outside it.

when Khalani found the courage to open the pages, she swiftly realized the contents weren’t beautiful, picturesque, or gentle. They were raw. Unrestrained. Every word was laced with passion and vigor, awakening a part of her she didn’t know existed. She continued reading because it was the first time her brain and her heart dared to be on the same page. She kept it to escape. To be free. She read to stand on the earth and bellow out her dissent.

Give stupid people power, and they’ll abuse it as they see fit.”

“Wouldn’t you do the same? Wouldn’t you go to the ends of the underground for your family?” There was that word again. Family. No matter how many failures, fights, or disappointments, they were the solid foundation that was supposed to anchor you to the ground. Family could drive you crazy while restoring your sanity in the same breath.

She was always more comfortable being alone. It was safer that way.

Having principles was easy, but sticking to one’s principles when it required sacrifice…that was another matter entirely.

“Don’t waste your time hoping for things down here,” his intense voice echoed past her. She turned back in surprise. Takeshi stood against the wall like an indomitable force. He was still. Too still. “What, hoping is for the young?” she asked warily. “No. Hoping is for the foolish. If your plan is to garner my sympathy to help your cause, you’ll be severely disappointed.”

“Are you scared now, Kanes?” He cocked his head. “Yes,” she admitted. He nodded. “Good. Fear is essential to understanding consequences.

She was drowning in seas that didn’t exist and living a life that was no longer hers. She was getting through the day minute by minute, and there were some minutes when she wanted time to cease completely.

The truth is, it’s not the hurt you see that’s dangerous. It’s the hurt you hide that’s the real menace.

“You have no idea what I’m feeling.” Her eyes sliced back to his. “Your feelings are meaningless down here. They will feast on your tears and eat you alive when the bars close at night. You have a lot to learn before Braderhelm breaks you.”

What better way to make someone depend on you than to isolate them?

“Have you always been so positive?” Khalani asked. “No. But why worry about something that hasn’t happened yet? That’s just putting yourself through it twice.”

I am not a singular object or definition Infinite variations of my soul exist

That’s the beauty of knowledge. If it’s remembered, the meaning can’t be fully erased.”

Nothing is as beautiful, harsh, or unforgiving as the Earth.”

If you have a thought, do your mind a favor and speak it, so it doesn’t have to house it forever.”

the Apollo Councilmen want is for its citizens to become inspired and creative. They want their people to remain content. Obedient. Art has the ability to embolden and galvanize people to desire more. They can’t have that.”

“For what it’s worth, even though I think what you did was stupid, you showed courage down there.” The compliment startled her, and she straightened. “Really?” “Yeah.” He sighed. “Not necessarily weak. Just irrational, illogical, and ill-tempered.”

the only place freedom resided in was dreams. And in death.

“These books aren’t meant to train or give a history lesson. They are meant to stir the mind and the soul. To immerse you in the wonders and hardships of love, the most powerful force in the universe,”

“That’s not the most powerful force.” Winnie tilted her head to the side. “What did you say, dear?” Khalani traced her fingers over the gold writing on the cover. A deep weight rumbled in her chest, forming a lump in her throat. All it took was the thought of them. Gone, like the wind. The most powerful force wasn’t love. “It’s death. That’s more powerful.” Death came for all and spared none. Death was more certain than life. Her assured demise hurtled toward her at full speed, faster than a bullet.

“Do you want to know why Winnie still smiles and keeps going?” Khalani nodded, her chest rising with shallow breaths. “Because the dead don’t want you to die with them,” Winnie stated. “Love transcends space and time. It holds no bounds or limits. Dear girl, love is stronger than death because if you love someone, they can never truly die. Sarah lives on. In me. And your parents live on in you, too.”

She didn’t believe anything could describe the depth of those emotions. For how can words encapsulate the universe? Because it too is infinite. It’s the one power that can tear you apart and reconstruct you all at once. The pure sentiment will have you rage at the world one moment and stand on her highest peaks with wonder and awe the next. To love is to go on.

“What?” “Nothing. I’ve never seen you smile like that.”

Don’t let your emotions dictate your actions.”

Beware the woman scorned. She was more dangerous than any nuclear bomb.

“Just admit that you get personal satisfaction from hammering me to the ground.” His eyes glimmered, and he leaned forward in challenge. “I’d like it more if you didn’t make it so easy.”

“Is this the part where I elbow you in the stomach?” “Not unless you want to be restrained the rest of the week.” He paused. “The kind you won’t enjoy.”

There lies a riot in you. With your very first breath, you cried in protest.

It was controlled chaos.

Alexander Huxley’s eyes sparked with antipathy, but he leaned back and smiled, his perfect white teeth showing. It wasn’t friendly. It was like watching an animal toy with its prey before it went in for the kill.

Takeshi’s black eyes gazing down at her with concern, tenderness, and a depth of angry passion that rivaled every story that’d been written and song that’d been sung.

You’ve taken all my nothings and fashioned them into somethings.

Takeshi didn’t speak for the longest time. When she started to close her eyes, the weight of exhaustion hitting her, he whispered, “I’ll find some flowers for you.”

his pinky grazed hers. And stayed there. Khalani breathed out, feeling like her heart was galloping at the small touch. That was it. They didn’t hold hands. It was the most minimal connection, but those skin cells connected to his were like electrical rods, pulsing and beaming with energy. She didn’t remember what purpose her pinky ever served before it was touched by his.

whatever it is. You can tell me. You don’t have to hold whatever weight you carry yourself. I can help lighten the load, and we can figure something out together. You can trust me.”

I know we aren’t related but you have become my family.”

if she couldn’t forgive herself, then why should anyone else?

Love is worth saving. Life is worth saving. Never forget that.

“We’re not meant to stay underground, Khalani. We were meant for more. Winnie knows this, but you…you don’t want to leave the puppet show.”

Moments may fade, but scars don’t. The pain always remains.

People would perish. Pages could be ripped to shreds and burned beyond recognition, but Khalani’s own life meant the things that mattered most never disappeared from her—not while she remained.

Pain was not something to cower from. Pain was a product of perseverance. When sweat pooled, tears dried, and blood hardened into scabs, only then did the mind rest soundly at night, knowing every ounce of effort had been given.

Good or bad weren’t apt descriptions for Takeshi. He was the warmth of the fire and the sadistic burn of the flames. Men like him should come with a warning sign.

“The truth can’t be taken back, Kanes. It had to be done. And if you think watching your face that morning didn’t make me want to destroy something, you’re wrong. But the idea of not having one more moment where I’m just your trainer, and you aren’t my prisoner, makes me want to kill someone.”