A WRITER'S GUIDE TO MURDER
TRIGGER-WARNING: Vivid descriptions of death and dead bodies.
Liquid nitrogen, a substance commonly used in scientific and industrial settings, can be a highly effective tool for creating dramatic and chilling death scenes in your story.
Picture this: You're in a room. The person you were meeting just left to get something to drink, they closed the door quickly, as if they were in a hurry. Unusual, but nothing suspicious. Something in the corner of your eye suddenly starts moving, slowly but very steadily. A lid had been removed from a box that had stood there, you had noticed it but not given it much thought at all. But now, now that the lid is no longer there, the cold mist starts rolling over the floor. It's almost like the air is being sucked out of your lungs. That is because it is. Liquid nitrogen, creepy as hell, silent, dramatic.
Its extremely low temperature can cause both asphyxiation (no oxygen in the bloodstream, thus choking to death) and intense burns, making it a versatile choice for writers looking to add a unique and horrifying element to their narratives. Here is: Liquid Nitrogen, a writer's guide to murder.
Choking
Liquid nitrogen, when introduced into a poorly ventilated space, can displace oxygen and cause asphyxiation. This is what happened in the little bit in the intro. This method is silent and almost invisible, perfect for a mysterious or unexpected death.
Scenario: Place a container of liquid nitrogen in a sealed room. As it evaporates, nitrogen gas will fill the room, reducing the oxygen level. The victim will gradually lose consciousness and ultimately die from lack of oxygen. This scenario can be set in various locations, such as (but definitely not limited to, go crazy):
Laboratories: A scientist or lab worker might accidentally or deliberately release liquid nitrogen in a confined lab space.
Basements: A sealed basement or storage area can become a death trap when filled with nitrogen gas.
Industrial Sites: Factories or industrial facilities often have the necessary equipment and settings for a liquid nitrogen-based accident.
Intense Burns
Liquid nitrogen can also be used for a more visually shocking and gruesome death. Its extremely low temperature causes severe frostbite and burns upon contact with the skin, leading to almost instantaneous death.
Scenario: Immerse the victim in a bath of liquid nitrogen. The extreme cold causes severe frostbite and burns, leading to a horrifying and immediate death. This method is suitable for high-impact, visually intense scenes and can be set in:
Laboratories: During an experiment gone wrong or a malicious act by a character.
Industrial Sites: Where liquid nitrogen is used for cooling or preservation, leading to a workplace accident or intentional sabotage.
Crime Scenes: A villain could use a liquid nitrogen bath to dispose of evidence or send a terrifying message.
Frostbite and Tissue Damage
Even without full immersion, liquid nitrogen can cause severe damage when it comes into contact with the skin, leading to a slow and painful death due to frostbite and subsequent infections.
Scenario: Splash liquid nitrogen on the victim, causing localized but severe frostbite. The tissue damage would be excruciating and could lead to death from shock, infection, or complications if medical help is not immediately available. This could be integrated into scenes where:
Assaults: A character uses liquid nitrogen as a weapon during a confrontation.
Accidents: An accidental spill in a lab or industrial setting causes severe injury and death.
Explosive Expansion
When liquid nitrogen rapidly vaporizes, it expands dramatically, creating a potential for explosive pressure buildup in a sealed container.
Scenario: Place liquid nitrogen in a tightly sealed container and leave it near the victim. As the nitrogen warms and vaporizes, the pressure buildup causes the container to explode, resulting in shrapnel injuries and a dramatic death. This scenario can add an element of surprise and danger in:
Booby Traps: A character sets a trap using liquid nitrogen to kill or injure someone unexpectedly.
Sabotage: In an industrial or scientific setting, a saboteur uses this method to cause chaos and death.
Psychological Impact
Beyond the physical effects, the use of liquid nitrogen can have a significant psychological impact on other characters, creating more horror and tension in your story.
Scenario: Characters discover a victim who has been killed using liquid nitrogen, their body showing signs of severe frostbite and burns. The sight and implications of such a gruesome death can instill fear and urgency, driving the narrative forward. This can be particularly effective in:
Mystery/Thrillers: Investigators or protagonists uncover the horrifying method of murder, leading to a tense and urgent investigation.
Horror Stories: The gruesome nature of the death adds to the atmosphere of dread and terror.
Jake Zuurbier, born in 2002, is a writer with a broad background. With a degree in both Business and Management, his work in writing is combined with a business in books & home decor, sports clothing & gear and multiple forms of other output like music or meditations. He has worked jobs in retail and horeca, ranging from working kitchen in a hotel-restaurant to a floor manager position in a clothing store.
In his free time, he is just as occupied. Photography, weight lifting, kickboxing, cooking and reading are amongst his hobbies.
To learn more, or get in contact, visit www.apolloimperium.com/jakezuurbier
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Do you think it works in horeca settings? Because some restaurants use it for food. Or do they have too little of it for it to work?