SECRET THESAURUS

HOLDING SOMEONE CAPTIVE



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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:
If your character is holding someone captive, you're dealing with someone with an extremely troubled emotional life and a disturbing personal history, which will be important to build into the story. Their reasons are unlikely to be acceptable but should make sense to them. Conveying that desperate motivation can help readers understand what's driving the character, encouraging them to overlook their behaviors and stick with them to see what happens.

CATEGORY:
Dark or Disturbing (primary), Illegal or Immoral Acts

SIMILAR OR RELATED SECRETS:
BEING A SERIAL KILLER

SPECIFIC FEARS THAT MAY DRIVE THE NEED FOR SECRECY:
ABANDONMENT, BEING ATTACKED, BEING JUDGED, BEING SEPARATED FROM LOVED ONES, BEING UNABLE TO ACHIEVE A DREAM, BEING WATCHED, BETRAYAL, CERTAIN KINDS OF PEOPLE, DEATH, HUMILIATION, ISOLATION, LETTING OTHERS DOWN, LOSING AUTONOMY, NEVER FINDING HAPPINESS, NOT BEING IN CONTROL, ONE'S INSTINCTS BEING UNRELIABLE, PHYSICAL PAIN, REJECTION

HOW THIS SECRET COULD HOLD THE CHARACTER BACK:
Not being able to go to work
Being constantly distracted
Having to remain isolated from others so no one will find out 
Being paranoid about someone discovering the truth
Struggling with inner conflict (believing they're doing the right thing but still feeling guilty, “loving” the victim but also despising them, etc.)

BEHAVIORS OR HABITS THAT HELP HIDE THIS SECRET:
Sticking to their usual routine
Prioritizing security around the place where the person is imprisoned
Creating a hidden space for the captive (in the basement, a crawlspace, a storage unit, isolated hunting cabin, etc.)
Soundproofing the room where the person is being held
Never having guests over
Avoiding people in general
Fabricating a story to explain why they're so often away from work (they're sick, caring for an elderly loved one, 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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