SECRET THESAURUS

COLLABORATING WITH AN ENEMY



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HELPFUL TIP:

Secrets represent a past your character wants to forget and a future they want to prevent, so give them something that will change everything if it gets out. Mine their emotional wounds, relationships, fears, or occupations for ideas, and consider how this secret could tie into your story's theme.
ABOUT THIS SECRET:
No one wants to work with an enemy, so when this situation arises, there's usually a strong reason behind it. Such collaboration may be the character's only means of survival, the best chance of defeating a mutual threat, or a way of achieving personal gain. The stakes in this situation are extremely high, since there won't be much trust in the relationship and the important people in the character's life wouldn't understand or approve of the character's choice.

CATEGORY:
Betrayals and Violation of Trust (primary), Dangerous Knowledge, Illegal or Immoral Acts

SIMILAR OR RELATED SECRETS:
BELONGING TO AN UNDERGROUND RESISTANCE

SPECIFIC FEARS THAT MAY DRIVE THE NEED FOR SECRECY:
A LOVED ONE DYING, BEING ATTACKED, BEING JUDGED, BEING LABELED, BEING SEPARATED FROM LOVED ONES, BEING UNSAFE, BEING WATCHED, BETRAYAL, DEATH, GOVERNMENT, HUMILIATION, ISOLATION, LETTING OTHERS DOWN, LOSING AUTONOMY, LOSING THE RESPECT OF OTHERS, PERSECUTION, PHYSICAL PAIN, TRUSTING OTHERS

HOW THIS SECRET COULD HOLD THE CHARACTER BACK:
Hating themselves for working with someone they despise
The character's health deteriorating from the stress of living a double life
Being paranoid that others are watching or following them
Never being able to relax; always having to watch their words, make strategic choices, remember what they've told to whom, etc.
Feeling like a hypocrite
Worrying about the safety of their family 
Difficulty concentrating on work or school
Strained family relationships because of the character's dishonesty

BEHAVIORS OR HABITS THAT HELP HIDE THIS SECRET:
Taking pains to make sure they're not being followed
Varying their routes when meeting with the enemy
Talking about the enemy in disparaging terms
Publicly committing to the people on their side
Taking on an important job or responsibility for their side
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ACTIVITIES OR TENDENCIES THAT MAY RAISE SUSPICIONS:
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SITUATIONS THAT MAKE KEEPING THIS SECRET A CHALLENGE:
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SCENARIOS THAT MAY ENCOURAGE THEM TO LET THE SECRET GO:
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RESULTS OF THE SECRET BEING REVEALED OR DISCOVERED:
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