SECRET THESAURUS

FIXING SOMEONE ELSE'S MISTAKE



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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:
It's difficult to watch a loved one experience hard times, even when it's their own fault due to a mistake or poor choice. A character close to them may choose to save them from hardship by stepping in behind the scenes to resolve the issue. Examples of this kind of intervention include secretly providing evidence that exonerates the person, calling in a favor to help them, fixing something they physically broke, or anonymously paying off their debt. 

CATEGORY:
Positive or Altruistic (primary), Dark or Disturbing

SIMILAR OR RELATED SECRETS:
BEING AN ALLY OR PROTECTOR, SAFEGUARDING SOMEONE ELSE'S SECRET, TAKING THE FALL FOR SOMEONE ELSE

SPECIFIC FEARS THAT MAY DRIVE THE NEED FOR SECRECY:
BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, CONFLICT, CRITICISM, DISCRIMINATION, LOSING ONE'S SOCIAL STANDING, LOSING THE RESPECT OF OTHERS, REJECTION

HOW THIS SECRET COULD HOLD THE CHARACTER BACK:
Having less money or time for their own pursuits
Loved ones in the character's charge having to go without and not understanding why
Not being able to take public credit for their good deed
Worrying that people will find out start expecting the character to help them, too
Expending a resource to help the other party and having to go without
Worrying that their helping is actually enabling the other person
Limiting their time with the person because they're afraid of revealing the secret

BEHAVIORS OR HABITS THAT HELP HIDE THIS SECRET:
Acting naturally around the person; “business as usual”
Never mentioning the situation they helped with
Not leading a paper trail for related purchases
Pretending to be unschooled in whatever skill was used to fix the issue (carpentry, etc.)
Arranging their own anonymity with the required third party (a lawyer, a trades person hired to fix something, etc.
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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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