SECRET THESAURUS

FANTASIZING ABOUT KILLING SOMEONE



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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:
We all have fantasies we have no intention of acting on. But actively dreaming about killing someone takes a character into a different emotional realm, one that can be potentially harmful to them. Voicing their desire may raise flags for others and create unwanted scrutiny—or thwart the character's plans, if they decide to turn their fantasy into reality—making it imperative they keep their ideas to themselves. 

CATEGORY:
Dark or Disturbing (primary)

SIMILAR OR RELATED SECRETS:
BEING A SERIAL KILLER, MURDERING SOMEONE

SPECIFIC FEARS THAT MAY DRIVE THE NEED FOR SECRECY:
BEING CAPABLE OF HARM, BEING JUDGED, BEING SEPARATED FROM LOVED ONES, LETTING OTHERS DOWN, LOSING AUTONOMY, LOSING ONE'S MIND, LOSING THE RESPECT OF OTHERS, NOT BEING IN CONTROL, ONE'S INSTINCTS BEING UNRELIABLE

HOW THIS SECRET COULD HOLD THE CHARACTER BACK:
The character's fantasy world taking over their real life
Not being capable of interacting with the person they fantasize about killing
Missing appointments and shirking their responsibilities because of their obsession
Increased distractibility
Developing mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression
Worrying that they're losing their mind
No longer trusting their own impulses or self-control
Creating a plan or taking steps toward fulfilling their fantasy

BEHAVIORS OR HABITS THAT HELP HIDE THIS SECRET:
Befriending the person they want to kill
Avoiding the person (if the character doubts their ability to hide their animosity)
Feigning kindness and empathy toward the imagined victim
Hiding their internet search history
Taking up a contact sport to deal with their aggressive feelings
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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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