# Nicholas Devine — The Dark Other character guide > Nicholas Devine in The Dark Other by Stanley G. Weinbaum. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Nick, Devine **First appearance:** 0000-i-pure-horror ## Snapshot A shy, bookish dreamer who shares his body with something that watches Pat through his own red-rimmed eyes. ## Who they are Nick reads Tristram Shandy, quotes it badly, and prefers long night drives to dances, which is why Dr. Horker calls him introverted and repressed. He adores Pat with a tenderness that seems almost too gentle for a man, yet he admits he has been blamed since childhood for mischief he never committed. The strain of holding his other self in check is visibly wearing him thin. ## Relationships ### [Patricia Lane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/patricia_lane) _romantic_ Nicholas is Patricia's troubled lover, torn between his affection for her and the dark influence of his alter ego. ### [Dr. Carl Horker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/dr_carl_horker) _professional_ Dr. Horker is Nicholas's psychiatrist, but his methods are unethical and he views Nicholas as a case rather than a patient. ### [The Other](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/the_other) _psychological_ Nicholas is in a constant internal battle with The Other, his violent split personality that seeks to dominate him. ### [Honey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/honey) _friendship_ Honey is a friend to Nicholas, though her loyalty is primarily to Patricia and she is wary of his instability. ### [Mueller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/mueller) _professional_ Mueller interacts with Nicholas as part of Horker's treatment, often observing or restraining him. ### [Dear Nick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/dear_nick) _psychological_ Dear Nick is the idealized, loving persona that Nicholas struggles to maintain against The Other's influence. ### [The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/the_doctor) _professional_ The Doctor treats Nicholas for his psychological condition, but with limited success against The Other. ### [Patricia Lane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/patricia_lane) _romantic_ Nicholas is Patricia's troubled lover, torn between his affection for her and the dark influence of his alter ego. ### [Patricia Lane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/patricia_lane) _romantic_ Nicholas is Patricia's troubled lover, torn between his affection for her and the dark influence of his alter ego. ### [Dr. Carl Horker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/dr_carl_horker) _professional_ Dr. Horker is Nicholas's psychiatrist, but his methods are unethical and he views Nicholas as a case rather than a patient. ### [The Other](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/the_other) _psychological_ Nicholas is in a constant internal battle with The Other, his violent split personality that seeks to dominate him. ### [Dear Nick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/dear_nick) _psychological_ Dear Nick is the idealized, loving persona that Nicholas struggles to maintain against The Other's influence. ## In the story ### [I: Pure Horror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/i-pure-horror) Expounds on pure horror, cites Poe and Baudelaire, confesses love for Pat, but shows reluctance and hints at a hidden darkness. ### [II: Science of Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/ii-science-of-mind) Mentioned as Pat's new love interest; described as gentle, sensitive, yet commanding, and possibly a genius writer. ### [III: Psychiatrics of Genius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/iii-psychiatrics-of-genius) Arrives for a date with Pat; appears shy and uncomfortable under Dr. Horker's questioning; reveals his literary tastes and his father's profession. ### [IV: The Transfiguration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/iv-the-transfiguration) Nick is tender and poetic at first, but becomes evasive and tormented when Pat probes his secret. He undergoes a terrifying transformation into a demonic figure. ### [A Fantasy of Fear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/v-a-fantasy-of-fear) Nick briefly transforms into a demonic figure with red eyes and a rasping voice, then reverts, expressing remorse. ### [VI: A Question of Science](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/vi-a-question-of-science) Discussed by Pat and Dr. Horker; Pat describes his sudden change after a near accident and his compliment about her legs. ### [VII: The Red Eyes Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/vii-the-red-eyes-return) Nick appears gentle and loving at the start of the date, but his behavior turns suspicious and aggressive, culminating in the reappearance of his red eyes. ### [VIII: Gateway to Evil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/viii-gateway-to-evil) Nick displays a grim, intense demeanor, with hints of red in his eyes, and coldly reveals his plan to use Pat in an 'experiment in evil.' ### [IX: Descent Into Avernus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/ix-descent-into-avernus) Nicholas coldly orchestrates the encounter, striking Pat, forcing kisses, and lecturing her on the glory of evil, revealing his manipulative and cruel nature. ### [X: Rescue from Abaddon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/x-rescue-from-abaddon) Nick appears as a red-eyed demon, dragging Pat through the alley. He is defiant and cold, but at the end his human face is glimpsed. ### [XI: Wreckage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xi-wreckage) Referenced as having transformed during the car ride, with red eyes and a harsh voice, and as the one who struck Pat and spoke of evil's beauty. ### [XII: Letter from Lucifer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xii-letter-from-lucifer) Though not physically present, Nick is the central subject of Pat's thoughts. She recalls his gentleness and his demonic transformation, and his letter arrives at the chapter's end. ### [XIII: Indecision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xiii-indecision) Nick writes a letter to Pat, expressing love and a need to explain his dark nature, and proposes meeting in the park. ### [XIV: Bizarre Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xiv-bizarre-explanation) Found disconsolate by the lake; he is horrified by Pat's bruises and insists he did not cause them, preparing to give a bizarre explanation. ### [XV: A Modern Mr. Hyde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xv-a-modern-mr-hyde) Reveals his dual nature to Pat, describing the 'other' as cold, cruel, and inhuman; admits the struggle has intensified since loving her. ### [XVI: Possessed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xvi-possessed) Nick meets with Pat, explains his dual nature, and prepares to leave; he is watched by Mueller. ### [XVII: Witch-Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xvii-witch-doctor) Nick is discussed at length; his dual nature and the increasing strength of the 'other' are central to the conversation. ### [XVIII: Vanished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xviii-vanished) Has vanished; Pat cannot reach him by phone and fears he has left without a forwarding address. ### [XIX: Man or Monster?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xix-man-or-monster) Sends a note to Pat arranging a meeting, then calls to try to dissuade her, but ultimately agrees to meet. ### [XX: The Assignation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xx-the-assignation) Nick is present but his body is controlled by the other; Pat calls out to him, hoping to reach his true self. ### [XXI: A Question of Synapses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxi-a-question-of-synapses) Nick is mentioned as the one Pat wrote to and hoped to meet. His car arrives at the end of the chapter, but it is unclear whether it is Nick or 'the Other' who alights. ### [XXII: Doctor and Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxii-doctor-and-devil) Reluctantly agrees to meet Horker, describes his dual nature and the other's growing strength, and fails to summon the other on command. ### [XXIII: Werewolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxiii-werewolf) Nick is mentioned as having an appointment with Dr. Horker, and Pat receives a letter from him containing a poem about love and grief. ### [XXIV: The Dark Other](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxiv-the-dark-other) Arrives weary, confesses suicidal thoughts, undergoes his first psychoanalysis session, and reveals childhood memories of being blamed for the Other's actions. ### [XXV: The Demon Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxv-the-demon-lover) Referenced as the weaker half; the 'Other' claims to share his home. ### [XXVII: Two in Hell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxvii-two-in-hell) Nick regains control from the Other, is horrified by his actions, and struggles with the decision to leave Pat forever, ultimately agreeing to stay and fight together. ### [XXVIII: Lunar Omen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxviii-lunar-omen) Nick is somber and philosophical, using the moon as a symbol of death and peace. He prepares the poison but hesitates, ultimately deciding to go through with it for Pat's sake. ### [XXIX: Scopolamine for Satan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxix-scopolamine-for-satan) Nick is passive and miserable, having dashed the poison from Pat's hand. He submits to Horker's scopolamine injection, and his demonic aspect surfaces under the drug. ### [XXX: The Demon Free](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxx-the-demon-free) His demonic 'Other' personality is freed by the scopolamine, allowing him to dominate the scene with hypnotic powers until he is shot by Pat. ### [XXXI: “Not Humanly Possible”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxxi-not-humanly-possible) Lies unconscious with a bullet wound at the base of the brain. Horker bandages him and arranges for surgery; his survival is uncertain. ### [XXXII: Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxxii-revelation) Nick is the patient who survives the removal of the parasitic brain; his future character is speculated to be less meek. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/nicholas_devine - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters