# Patricia Lane — The Dark Other character guide > Patricia Lane in The Dark Other by Stanley G. Weinbaum. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Pat, Pat Lane, Little Pat, Pat the Impeccable, Miss Pat **First appearance:** 0000-i-pure-horror ## Snapshot A weary, sharp-tongued young woman who loves a gentle man she cannot save from the cruel stranger wearing his face. ## Who they are Pat moves between her mother's house and Dr. Horker's study, trading barbs with the old psychiatrist while her thoughts circle one man. She loves Nicholas Devine with a fierceness that frightens her, and she alone has seen the other self that speaks through him — cruel, crafty, and unafraid. Her stubborn refusal to abandon Nick, even when reason says flee, makes her the story's beating heart. ## Relationships ### [Dr. Carl Horker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/dr_carl_horker) _psychological_ Dr. Horker is a manipulative psychiatrist who obsessively controls and studies Patricia, blurring the line between doctor and captor. ### [Nicholas Devine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/nicholas_devine) _romantic_ Nicholas is Patricia's troubled lover, torn between his affection for her and the dark influence of his alter ego. ### [The Other](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/the_other) _psychological_ Patricia is both fascinated and terrified by The Other, the violent alternate personality of Nicholas that she must confront. ### [Honey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/honey) _friendship_ Honey is Patricia's loyal and supportive friend, often providing comfort and practical help. ### [Magda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/magda) _social_ Magda is a minor acquaintance who interacts with Patricia in social settings, likely a fellow student or neighbor. ### [Dear Nick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/dear_nick) _romantic_ Dear Nick represents the gentle, loving side of Nicholas that Patricia remembers and longs for. ### [Mrs. Lane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/mrs_lane) _family_ Mrs. Lane is Patricia's mother, concerned for her daughter's wellbeing but often kept in the dark. ### [The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/the_doctor) _professional_ The Doctor is a medical professional who treats Patricia, likely a general physician or psychiatrist. ### [Mueller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/mueller) _professional_ Mueller is a staff member who monitors Patricia during her visits to Horker's facility. ### [Dr. Carl Horker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/dr_carl_horker) _psychological_ Dr. Horker is a manipulative psychiatrist who obsessively controls and studies Patricia, blurring the line between doctor and captor. ### [Nicholas Devine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/nicholas_devine) _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) _psychological_ Dr. Horker is a manipulative psychiatrist who obsessively controls and studies Patricia, blurring the line between doctor and captor. ## In the story ### [I: Pure Horror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/i-pure-horror) Engages in philosophical discussion, analyzes Nick's character, admits her feelings, and is left unsettled by Nick's final remark. ### [II: Science of Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/ii-science-of-mind) Engages in witty debate with Dr. Horker, defends her new love interest Nick, and dismisses past flings as puppy love. ### [III: Psychiatrics of Genius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/iii-psychiatrics-of-genius) Playfully teases Dr. Horker and defends Nick's genius; orchestrates the meeting between Nick and the Doctor. ### [IV: The Transfiguration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/iv-the-transfiguration) Pat is affectionate and curious, pressing Nick about his reluctance and sensing something hidden. She is shocked by his sudden transformation. ### [A Fantasy of Fear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/v-a-fantasy-of-fear) Pat is shaken by Nick's transformation but tries to rationalize it; she later seeks out Dr. Horker. ### [VI: A Question of Science](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/vi-a-question-of-science) Visits Dr. Horker to ask about Nick's father and dual personalities, lies about the near accident, and later recalls a terrifying image. ### [VII: The Red Eyes Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/vii-the-red-eyes-return) Pat enjoys a date with Nick, initially feeling safe and happy, but becomes alarmed by his erratic driving and the return of his demonic eyes. ### [VIII: Gateway to Evil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/viii-gateway-to-evil) Pat is confused and resistant but ultimately complies with Nick's demands, drinking heavily and expressing her love despite his coldness. ### [IX: Descent Into Avernus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/ix-descent-into-avernus) Pat drinks heavily, is struck and kissed by Nicholas, and experiences a mix of pain, fear, and intoxicated elation as she is drawn into his 'experiment in evil'. ### [X: Rescue from Abaddon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/x-rescue-from-abaddon) Pat is exhausted, nauseated, and barely conscious, wearing only a tablecloth after being abducted. She hysterically refers to Horker as Orpheus. ### [XI: Wreckage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xi-wreckage) Awakens with bruises and confusion, recounts Nick's transformation and her own yielding to evil, insists the abuser was not the real Nick. ### [XII: Letter from Lucifer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xii-letter-from-lucifer) Pat is recovering physically and emotionally, wrestling with her promise to Dr. Horker and her feelings for Nick. She reflects on the nature of his dual personality and feels a deep sense of loss. ### [XIII: Indecision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xiii-indecision) Pat reads Nick's letter, feels guilt, indignation, and secret triumph; she argues with herself about meeting him, tries to distract herself, and finally decides to go against Dr. Horker's orders. ### [XIV: Bizarre Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xiv-bizarre-explanation) Determined not to be bullied, she meets Nick in the park despite her fears and her mother's warnings. ### [XV: A Modern Mr. Hyde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xv-a-modern-mr-hyde) Listens to Nick's confession, declares her love despite the horror, and suggests exorcism based on Magda's superstition. ### [XVI: Possessed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xvi-possessed) Pat confronts Mueller and Dr. Horker, defends Nick, and confesses her love for him despite believing he is possessed. ### [XVII: Witch-Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xvii-witch-doctor) Pat is deeply distressed over Nick's absence and her love for him, torn between accepting his dual nature and fearing the 'other'. ### [XVIII: Vanished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xviii-vanished) Frantically tries to contact Nick, then consults Dr. Horker; writes a letter to Nick expressing hope and love. ### [XIX: Man or Monster?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xix-man-or-monster) Anxiously awaits Nick's reply, visits Dr. Horker's library, receives Nick's note and phone call, insists on meeting him despite her fears. ### [XX: The Assignation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xx-the-assignation) Pat approaches the meeting with trepidation, confronts the other, and resists his threats and physical abuse before escaping. ### [XXI: A Question of Synapses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxi-a-question-of-synapses) Pat is terrified and physically injured after her encounter with 'the Other.' She seeks comfort from Dr. Horker and expresses her intention to give up on Nick, though she still longs for him. ### [XXII: Doctor and Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxii-doctor-and-devil) Insists Nick see Dr. Horker, pleads with him, and later defends her belief that Nick's condition is demonic. ### [XXIII: Werewolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxiii-werewolf) Pat is the focal character, wrestling with superstitious fears and her faith in science after hearing Magda's werewolf story and receiving a letter from Nick. ### [XXIV: The Dark Other](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxiv-the-dark-other) Waits anxiously for Nick, participates in the therapy session, and later encounters the demonic Nick on her porch. ### [XXV: The Demon Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxv-the-demon-lover) Abducted by the 'Other' after a confrontation on her porch; struggles and is knocked unconscious. ### [XXVII: Two in Hell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxvii-two-in-hell) Pat is physically and emotionally broken after the Other's assault, but finds strength in her love for Nick, insisting she would rather face the danger than lose him. ### [XXVIII: Lunar Omen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxviii-lunar-omen) Pat is emotionally exhausted and desperate, clinging to Nick and insisting she cannot live without him. She experiences hysteria and irony as they prepare for suicide. ### [XXIX: Scopolamine for Satan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxix-scopolamine-for-satan) Pat is emotionally frayed, alternating between defiance, despair, and hope. She refuses to leave Nick despite Horker's insistence, pleading for him to help. ### [XXX: The Demon Free](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxx-the-demon-free) Terrified and manipulated by the Other, she is forced to bind Dr. Horker and nearly succumbs to the demon's will before shooting Nicholas Devine. ### [XXXI: “Not Humanly Possible”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxxi-not-humanly-possible) Awakens on Nick's couch, distraught after shooting Nick. She is exhausted, physically hurt, and contemplates suicide again, but decides to wait for Nick's fate. ### [XXXII: Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/chapters/xxxii-revelation) Pat anxiously awaits news of Nick's survival, expresses relief and love, and discusses her experience of the creature's influence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters/patricia_lane - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_other_se/characters