Anglerfish

Title: Anglerfish

Author: Alexandria Stanwyck

Logline: A young couple, Reggie and Emma, get ready to celebrate their one year dating anniversary, with Reggie putting the finishing touches on a surprise for Emma. What neither one knows, however, is they are in the crosshairs of an infamous serial killer.

Synopsis: Anglerfish follows the story of Reggie and Emma, a couple who are ready to celebrate their one year dating anniversary. While Emma goes into town, Reggie finishes putting together a surprise for Emma, one a year in the making. What he and Emma don't know is they are in the crosshairs of an infamous serial killer - the Anglerfish. He's been playing the long game too, and unwittingly, they are already caught in his trap, and each step they take, brings them closer to their end.

Let it be known, though, not everything is as it seems.

Author's Notes:

So this is a risky idea, using something I am currently working on as an idea for this challenge, because, of course, I can't reveal everything here. It does, however, make this the perfect way to start building up anticipation.

Anyone who knows me personally, knows who much of a fan I am of Criminal Minds. Watching a team come together, delving into the traits and psyche of serial killers, kidnappers, and the like in order to catch them, has intrigued me since the very first episode. So, yes, this short story project and movie idea is a romantic/crime thriller.

It explores the idea of a human taking on a persona of, you guess it, the anglerfish, known in the dark depths of the ocean for luring a potential meal into its jaws with a bright light. And unfortunately, people can be the same way, luring people in with gifts, pretty words, and/or charm before destroying them. This also explores the idea of how upbringing, traumatic events, and grief shapes a person. Will the person allow a dark past to turn them into a monster or can they overcome it? Or perhaps, do they become a necessary evil so others don't have to suffer what they did?

As far as casting, I don't have any particulars, and certain things I can't give away because it would spoil a few future plot twists, but I do know I want the actor playing the serial killer, Anglerfish, to be handsome. He would have to be able to wield his charisma and looks as bait, and be able to come across as good while letting glimpses of his true, evil character underneath to the surface when asked.

***

And now to whet your appetite for what is to come, here is a small snippet from what I've written so far.

A young teenager stood before the gravestone, shivering, drenched by the sky’s tears. But it was not the rain that caused them to shiver. No, it was the blue fire anger coursing through their body, incinerating everything inside into ash. All that was left was a destroyed forest, waiting to be born anew. What that forest would become, they didn’t completely know, only that it would be stronger than before.

As far as when I'll start publishing, I am writing out most of the story now so I'll can make sure it stays on the schedule I'll later set. There will be a small piece written when I am about to start publishing.