a-cure-for-writers-block answered:
Ah this is so good! I wrote a short story a little like this a while back, it was called ‘All Signs Point to Pastora’, I think. Also Pastora is a pretty name. Anyway let’s see what I can help you with…
So I’m guessing your character doesn’t have the best of histories and has a rather rough reputation. It depends on how old she is, but I had a few ideas for why they assumed it was her:
- Always in the wrong place at the wrong time.
- Has a rather terrifying persona, but is actually a rather tolerable person.
- Is known to have a rocky home life. Maybe her family was rather obnoxious or violent when they moved to the new area and assume she will be too.
- Accusations due to appearance, e.g: Tatts, piercings, leather, black clothing. ‘Shady teenager’ look.
- Intolerance to other humans. She definitely values her personal space.
- Half-hearted threats: do you want to take this outside?
- Unsociable or antisocial. (I never really thought these two were different, but they are! Check out the meanings.)
- Often leaves town with no reason. People have come to understand that she is in no real trouble and have stopped going after her.
- She hangs out with two or three others at an abandoned building just off of Route 13, NH. Everyone assumes they’re smoking weed. They play rounders.
- Once broke her wrist and refused to go to the ER because she actually really hates Hospitals. Everyone took it as a sign of rebellion.
- Refuses to join family gatherings, leading her family to believe she has something to hide.
- Always looks like she’s up to something. Her parents and close friends always think she is hiding something and maybe she is???
- Can often change her whole appearance within a day, almost no one recognises her.
- Keeps paper clippings of questionable articles. (I was thinking that they police found them when they were searching her house) Such as monthly crime reports, missing people reports, etc.
- Has harmed one person (accidentally), giving her the reputation of the ‘bad kid’. Most people in the town tend to use verbal abuse compared to physical. So when someone makes a physical act of abuse, it is made a big deal of. Labels such as the ‘town rebel’ often come into play and there is a lot of avoiding from residents.
I don’t know if this is any helpful, but I mainly focused on ways of being accused or reasons she may be a suspect. If you’re looking for something else, drop me another ask or a DM. I’d love to hear from you! Good luck! Lots of love from Yasmine xox
