Summary

"Serial Killer: Choose Your Own Path" is an interactive horror fiction series on Medium where readers make choices that determine the story's progression, with new chapters released weekly.

Abstract

The website introduces a unique horror fiction experience titled "Serial Killer: Choose Your Own Path," inviting readers to control the narrative by making decisions for the protagonist, a serial killer. This interactive story, reminiscent of classic choose-your-own-adventure books and games, combines dark humor with a twisted plot, allowing readers to navigate the main character's actions in a fictional setting. Each week, a new chapter is published, and readers are encouraged to participate by selecting the character's next move before a specified deadline. The author emphasizes that the story is purely for entertainment and includes a disclaimer to deter any real-life harmful actions. The narrative promises a blend of suspense, moral choices, and the thrill of living out a serial killer's life from the safety of one's own imagination.

Opinions

The author suggests that the story is a form of escapism and can be as therapeutic as it is entertaining.
There is an expectation that the readers will appreciate the humor and the fictional nature of the story, despite its dark theme.
The author acknowledges the importance of responsible storytelling by clearly stating that the story should not be taken as real-life guidance or encouragement for harmful behavior.
The narrative is designed to be engaging and immersive, with the reader's choices impacting the story's outcome.
The author expresses a personal connection to the choose-your-own-path genre, indicating a passion for interactive storytelling.
There is an underlying excitement about the interactive aspect of the story, with the author looking forward to seeing how readers shape the narrative.

HORROR FICTION

Serial Killer: Choose Your Path

Disclaimer and your first path choice

Adapted by author from an image purchased in Deposit Photos

What is Going on Here?

So, here’s the deal. You are invited to embark on a strange experience that someone on Facebook once called, “Cheaper than therapy.”

Remember those choose-your-own-path books? Zork? The Dandee Diamond Mystery? The Choose Your Own Adventure books? Did you, like me, love stepping into the role of an adventurer and controlling your destiny — sometimes choosing to be evil, sometimes good, because there were no ‘real life’ consequences?

And, are you also a horror fan?

Well, I did a thing. In Serial Killer, and you’re right, the title leaves little to the imagination, you, the reader, get to choose your path as a serial killer — because why not? It’s dark, I hope it’s funny, and it’s definitely twisted. But if you are still reading, it is totally up your alley.

YOU CHOOSE how the story goes. Every week, a new chapter will be released. Make your choice by the date listed at the end of the chapter to have your say. Make sure you follow me and Keeping it Spooky to stay up-to-date with the latest episode. If you’ve found this late, don’t worry, if smart choices are made, this story could be running for many months — plenty of time to catch up and play.

So, let’s begin with a disclaimer.

Disclaimer:

This choose-your-path story is for entertainment purposes only. This is not an instructional manual nor a guide! The actions in this story are entirely fictional and you know what they say — DO NOT attempt this at home, or at work, or anywhere!

Have you ever actually thought about killing anyone? I mean, for reals? Like, not just imagining it in your head and smiling maniacally (because that IS normal, right?), but legitimately deeply given thought to it?

NO? Then please, continue reading and enjoy :D

YES? Please, step away now and get help! Like, seriously. I don’t want that on me! I don’t want my very fictional story to be responsible for anything more than eyestrain. Anything beyond that is totally on you!

By reading on, you agree that you are not actually going to do the things. I can’t believe I had to include this, but a person has got to cover their own butt, right?

Okay… let’s play!

Serial Killer — Choose Your Own Path

Part 1 — Morning!

Let’s get something out of the way, you are a serial killer. It’s your thing. Okay, let’s begin.

You sense it is morning. The warmth on your face suggests the sun is peeking through the curtains and the squawk of birds certainly suggests that life has already begun to rise for the day. Without opening your eyes, you roll away from the intrusive light and pull the blanket up around your ears.

You fall back into a deep sleep.

When you wake three hours later, there is no denying that morning is here and possibly doesn’t have much time left now until it melts into the afternoon. It’s so unlike you to sleep so late, but it was a long night. A very long night. You stretch out and let your muscles wake up a little before pummelling them with demands. You yawn and enjoy the warmth of the super soft and plush covers and the inviting comfort of your pillow for just a moment longer. When you are ready, you roll over and allow the sun, now a steady stream of shining daylight, to invade your sight and kick you into action. You sigh and smile. This is the life.

You don’t really have to get up. You could stay here all day. This is the beauty of self-employment. You did have that one thing to attend to, but it isn’t going anywhere. It will be waiting for you right where you left it when you stumbled in at ridiculous o’clock in the AM. As you finally extract yourself from the covers knowing that today has lots of great things planned for you, you slip on your robe and head to the kitchen. You start up with a nice hot cup of your favorite beverage. As you sip at the mug, you stand by your floor-to-ceiling glass window and look out over the beach. The sun is at an angle that suggests it is around 11 AM by now. You take a moment to appreciate this beauty and thank yourself for all you have done and sacrificed to be here.

But only a moment. Though you are self-employed, you do still have work to do, plus, there is the little matter of your thing to attend to. It could wait, but you know from experience that it is always best to get these things done quickly.

Your apartment is huge. But not so huge as to be pointlessly extravagant. It is exactly right for you, for your collections, and for your needs. Your furnishings are humble yet luxurious, just the way you always imagined. The kitchen is crisp with stainless steel and fresh pine finishes. The walls are adorned with your favorite artworks and hangings. With only one bedroom separated from the large open studio area, it is easy to avoid long-stay visitors — and they are to be avoided. They never tend to end well. You have a passionate hobby that most, well, just don’t understand. Even the thought of it is building the thrill inside of you and the more you think about it, the less that thing seems like a chore and the more you want to get into it.

Cleaning your collection was always your least favorite part but when you have a passion for what you do, like you, even the most mundane and least favorable part is still fun.

Now, you are itching to get to it, but first, you should get dressed and at least check your calendar and emails. You can’t remember if you have a session this afternoon or not and you know that once you start playing, you will be completely absorbed.

You go into the bedroom and throw on something simple dropping your small bunch of keys into the pocket. You quickly brush your hair, but a shower will have to wait.

Okay, you have decided.

Do you want to: 1/ Check your emails? or 2/ Screw it — let’s play!

Simply comment 1 or 2 by 16th September 2021, to choose which way the story goes.

Date’s passed? That’s ok, follow the story chosen so far and have your say on the latest episode.

Serial Killer is part of the Choose Your Own Psychopathy series by Kai Parker — available on Amazon Kindle now. Adapted for Medium.

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