The Fox's Deception

**NOTE:** While this can be a stand-alone script, there is a second part to this script. Likewise, the second part has two distinct narratives from which you can choose from.

Finally, you are free to make any edits or changes to this script. So if you want to add genders or change the setting, scenes, or add/remove to the script, then you have full range to do so. MONETIZATION IS ALLOWED.


After spending some time in a small village in rural Japan, the listener couldn't help but to investigate the abandoned shrine that the locals whispered about. Deciding to try to be brave they set out on their adventure setting foot into the mountains. Unfortunately, they find themselves lost. Now past sunset the listener desperately seeks to find a way back to the village. By pure chance, they encounter someone on the mountain. However, this savior is not all that they appear to be.

(...) Tone/Emotion
[...] SFX, Performed Actions
<…> Setting
--…-- Listener’s responses/actions.
*...* Optional, Additional Information


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<The scene opens in a dark forest, where the listener is walking near the abandoned shrine.>
[A few fox calls can be heard at the beginning. Sound of light rain, *cicadas buzzing, occasional owl calls, frogs or crickets chirping.* Crunching of leaves, twigs, and gravel can be heard as the listener walks.]


Speaker (startled at first, but then polite and calm):
“Aahhh!!!"
"Oh! Apologies you gave me quite the fright, I’m sorry if I startled you as well stranger! It’s not often I see others in these parts of the woods, nor even this late at night.”
(Soft chuckle at first, then curious)
“Pardon me for my observation, but it doesn’t seem like you’re prepared to be hiking through these backwoods. What brings you all the way out here? Did you get lost?”


--Listener: "I was hiking along a nature trail, but I ended up taking a wrong turn and found myself going in circles. Why are you out here?..."--


Speaker (reassuringly)
“Ohh, I see, so you are lost! Not an uncommon experience out here I am afraid. I understand your unease with the sudden appearance of a random stranger in the middle of these woods THIS late at night. I want to assure you that I often come out here to take a few days to escape from all the noise of the city. These woods always provide a moment of tranquility for me. So, I set up camp nearby and was just taking a stroll and enjoying the ambience of the night air. It’s nice, isn’t it?…”
(BRIEF PAUSE as the speaker notices the disheveled state of the listener)
“Ohh! Sorry, sorry!!! If you weren’t lost, that is, then I suppose it would be nice! Apologies for overlooking your situation! (gasps) Ah! I also forgot to mention, I grew up in the village nearby, so I know these woods like the back of my hand. I’ve been exploring them ever since I was a small child.”
(Warmly)
“If you would like, I could lead you back to the village, it’d be no trouble at all!”


--Listener accepts their generous offer, not wanting to spend another moment alone in these woods. They start to feel a sense of safety and trust in them.--


Speaker (warmly)
“Come on then, follow me, I’ll return you to the village.”
(Now stern but with a hint of concern.)
“Let’s hurry though, it’s dark enough as it is. Usually once the sun sets over these mountains all sorts of creatures come out and I’d prefer we continue to evade them.”


<They begin to walk together through the woods.>
[BRIEF PAUSE in conversation]
[Sounds of footfall, crunching leaves, twigs, and gravel]


Speaker (picking up again; calm and friendly, staying polite)
“It’s always better to walk with company, don’t you think? We might as well get acquainted while we walk. May I have your name?”


--Listener replies with their name and then asks for the speaker’s name.--


Speaker (warmly)
*You can use the given name or change it up.*
“What a lovely name that is! As for me, you can call me Takumi!”


[BRIEF PAUSE in conversation]


Speaker (kindly but concerned)
“You must be very brave, or perhaps a bit reckless. These woods are known for their secrets, you know.”
(Now with a subtle dark tone, starting to drone out.)
“There’s a shrine up ahead that has been abandoned for many years. They say that when a shrine is abandoned and the offerings cease, the kami leave the shrine, which leaves a vacancy for any stray spirit that happens upon it. However, not all spirits who stumble upon abandoned shrines are good and caring to humans. Some have more… malicious, dark desires. The village I grew up in believes that the shrine is occupied by a dark spirit that likes to play tricks by causing travelers to become lost. Aimless, like they’re walking in circles. In fact, some of us believe that the spirit was involved in the disappearances of two hikers just last year. (chuckles) [noticing the tense mood, trying to brush it off.] Ahh sorry, I went on a tangent! But it’s even more of a reason why this is not the place for a tourist to be exploring.”


--Suddenly, the listener notices the speaker's eyes, which suddenly shift, appearing a bright yellow with slitted pupils. They look shocked and quickly stop in their tracks.—
[Footfalls stop. Only the general ambience can be heard.]


Speaker (a quiet chuckle, then darkly)
[Eyes narrowing, voice slipping slightly as the speaker notices the hesitation]:
“Ahhh... there it is. You see it now, don’t you? My eyes… The realization that I am not all that I appear to be.”
(A soft growl laces the speaker's words, and seems like they are savoring this moment)
“You are far too clever for me, aren’t you human? You’ve noticed something you shouldn’t have. Those eyes of mine, they’re not like yours, are they? But there’s no need to worry. After all, I am only trying to help you find your way back home, remember?”


<A slight pause as the speaker watches the listener’s eyes flicker with fear, as the speakers tails reveal themselves, moving intrinsically. The listener seems frozen in place, not sure how to react yet.>


Speaker (laughing softly)
“Awww, you look horrified! There’s no need to be afraid of me, little one.”
(He steps closer, leaning forward, voice slightly darker, a low growl.)
“I know it’s difficult to comprehend that some monsters are real. I think it’s time you understood what I truly am.”
(Low, dark, cruel, but with a teasing undertone)
“Poor thing. You thought you could trust me. You thought I was just some helpful stranger, didn’t you? How cruel of me to have misled you. But that was all part of the game. I’ve been watching you, stalking you for some time now. Ever since you first made your appearance in that quaint little village. You were so sweet and friendly with the locals, and oh so inquisitive. We even met once before… mhmm, that’s right. We’ve met… briefly, but I still remember your eyes and that warm meek little smile you gave me. I was the historian who was working temporarily at the museum nearby. You were so curious, you had so many questions, and that curiosity of yours enthralled me. I was practically enraptured by you.”


--The listener breaks from their trance and flees in a panic.--
[Sounds of leaves, twigs, and gravel crunching as they run away.]


Speaker (laughs darkly, almost amused, with a hint of irritation.):
“Oh no, no, no... you don’t get to escape now, mouse. Do you even know where you are running?”
(Closer now)
“You’ve already stepped into my world, little one.”


--The listener trips and falls over a root. They attempt to get up but are too stunned and end up collapsing again.--
[The listener hits the ground with a hard thud, soft ringing in their ears, then they hear the footfalls of the speaker approaching.]


Speaker (close, cruel, mocking):
“Ah, poor thing. I knew you’d be fragile, just like the little mouse you are.”


[The speaker’s voice in this scene gradually becomes fainter as the listener is beginning to fade in and out of consciousness. Ringing is still present.]


Speaker (low, possessive, with a cold tenderness):
“Don’t bother struggling, I have you now. You’ll find it’s so much easier to just submit and stay with me.”
(Voice softens again.)
“I promise you’ll be safe with me, little mouse."


[The ringing sound is the last thing to be heard before the audio fades out completely.]
<The scene ends.>