fact or fiction

Is it fact or merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the myths and beliefs we hold about copycat killers, eyewitnesses testimony, what makes a murderer and more.

Shadows of the Past
Detective Luke Harrison had seen his fair share of criminal cases, but something about this one felt different. The city was on edge. A string of high-profile robberies had been committed in broad daylight, but nothing had been stolen—except for one thing: a strange, cryptic symbol was left behind at each crime scene. The symbol, a twisted combination of shapes, seemed to be a message. But to Luke, it was more than that. It looked hauntingly familiar. The mysterious connection. As Luke delved deeper into the investigation, the clues started to form a pattern, leading him to a place he thought he had left behind—a place he had buried for years. The symbol appeared again and again, like a ghost from his past. It took him back to his childhood, to the time before he became a detective. There was one person who could have had access to the symbol, someone who had once been close to him—David Miller, an old friend who had disappeared without a trace years ago. They had been inseparable growing up, until one night, when David vanished without a word. His disappearance had been a mystery, and Luke had tried to put it out of his mind, focusing instead on his career. But now, it seemed as if David had returned, not as the friend Luke remembered, but as something far darker. A trail of blood. The deeper Luke went, the more disturbing the connection became. Each crime scene was linked to an event from his past, something he had never truly understood. Old family secrets began to resurface, and Luke realized that David had been involved in something criminal long before he disappeared. Luke followed the trail, piecing together the fragments of his childhood, each clue leading him closer to the truth. His childhood home, where his parents had mysteriously died in a fire—could it all be connected? Was David somehow responsible for their deaths? A shocking revelation. The breakthrough came when Luke discovered a journal hidden in the attic of his childhood home. The journal belonged to his father, and inside it were records of a secret that Luke could never have imagined: his father had been involved in illegal activities. His family wasn’t just middle-class—they were tangled in a web of organized crime. And David Miller? He had been part of it all along. David had been recruited into the same criminal organization, and his disappearance had been orchestrated by the very people who had killed Luke’s parents. Confronting the truth. As Luke pieced together the final pieces of the puzzle, he realized the full extent of his connection to the crimes. He was no longer just a detective trying to solve a case; he was now entangled in the very web of crime he had sworn to fight. In a final confrontation with David, Luke learned the shocking truth: David had never disappeared. He had faked his death to escape the organization, but now, years later, he was back, orchestrating the robberies to eliminate anyone who could expose the truth. As the two men stood face-to-face, Luke had to make a choice—stop David, or let the past finally consume him. The price of justice. In the end, justice wasn’t as clear-cut as Luke had hoped. The case was closed, the criminals apprehended, but the cost was high. Luke’s world had shattered, and he was left to pick up the pieces. The man he once called a friend was gone, and Luke was left alone to confront the dark shadows of his past. But one thing was certain—Luke would never be the same again. The criminal world had a way of leaving its mark, no matter how far you ran from it. And for Luke Harrison, there would always be a part of him that would remain tied to the shadows of the past.
By SHAKIB2 years ago in Criminal
A Drop of Goodness in Seas of Darkness
A Drop of Goodness in Seas of Darkness Chapter 1: The City of Blackhaven The wind howled through the dark alleys of Blackhaven, a city suffocating under the weight of crime and despair. The streetlights flickered like dying stars, struggling against the overwhelming darkness. Here, kindness was a forgotten relic, buried under years of greed, corruption, and violence. In the heart of this forsaken place lived Elias Carter, a man whose soul had become as cold as the city itself. Once, he had dreams—dreams of escaping, of making something of himself. But Blackhaven had a way of swallowing dreams whole, leaving only ghosts behind. Elias worked as a fixer for one of the most dangerous crime lords in the city, Vincent "Viper" Moreau. If someone needed a problem to disappear—whether it was a debt, a rival, or even a life—Elias was the man for the job. It wasn’t the life he had wanted, but it was the only life he knew. That night, he stood in a dark alley, waiting. A deal was about to go down, one that would secure his position in Viper’s inner circle. If things went smoothly, he would finally earn enough respect to climb out of the gutters of Blackhaven. But fate had other plans. Chapter 2: The Girl in the Alley As Elias waited, he heard something unusual—a faint whimper. He turned and saw a small figure curled up against the cold brick wall. It was a girl, no older than six, dressed in tattered clothes, her arms wrapped around her frail body. Elias frowned. A child? Here? At this hour? “Hey, kid,” he called, his voice gruff from years of indifference. The girl flinched but didn’t run. Instead, she looked up at him with wide, terrified eyes. “Are you lost?” he asked, his tone softer than he intended. She shook her head. “Nowhere to go,” she whispered. Elias sighed. He had seen many things in Blackhaven, but this… this was different. A child, alone in the dead of night, in a place where even grown men feared to walk. He knew he should walk away—this wasn’t his problem. But something in her eyes stopped him. A flicker of something he hadn’t seen in years. Hope. Against every instinct, Elias knelt beside her. “What’s your name?” “Lena.” “Where’s your family?” She hesitated, then lowered her gaze. “Gone.” Elias clenched his jaw. He knew what that meant. Either they had abandoned her, or worse—Blackhaven had claimed them. He should have left. He should have turned his back, just as the city had taught him. But instead, he did something he never thought he was capable of. He took off his coat and wrapped it around her. “Come on,” he muttered. “You’re coming with me.” Chapter 3: A Dangerous Gamble Taking Lena in was the most reckless thing Elias had ever done. If Viper found out, he’d laugh—then he’d make sure Elias never laughed again. But something inside Elias refused to let the girl fend for herself. He took her to his small, rundown apartment. It wasn’t much, but it was warm. She ate like she hadn’t seen food in days, and when she finally fell asleep on the couch, Elias sat in silence, staring at her. Why had he done this? He had spent his whole life surviving, never caring about anyone but himself. And yet, here he was, risking everything for a child he had just met. Maybe, just maybe, he was tired of being a monster. Chapter 4: The Price of Kindness Word spread fast in Blackhaven, and it didn’t take long for Viper to hear about Elias’s little “charity case.” “What’s this I hear, Carter?” Viper sneered the next night, as Elias stood before him in the backroom of The Serpent’s Den, Viper’s personal club. “You playing house with some street rat?” Elias’s fists clenched, but he forced his voice to stay calm. “She’s just a kid. She was starving.” Viper chuckled darkly. “You going soft on me, Carter? That ain’t a good look.” Elias didn’t respond. Viper leaned forward, his eyes cold. “You know how this city works. Weakness gets you killed. Get rid of the girl, or I’ll do it for you.” A choice. A simple one, really. Let Lena go, or die trying to protect her. Elias had spent his life making the easy choices. This time, he made the hard one. “No.” Viper’s expression turned deadly. “Then you just signed your death warrant.” Chapter 5: A Fight Against Darkness Elias knew there was no turning back. Viper’s men would come for him—and for Lena. So he did the only thing he could. He ran. Through the alleys, through the shadows, he carried Lena in his arms as the city closed in around them. Gunshots rang out. A bullet grazed his shoulder, but he didn’t stop. He knew he couldn’t outrun Viper forever. But maybe, just maybe, he could get Lena out. Chapter 6: A Drop of Goodness They reached the train station on the outskirts of the city. A single train was preparing to leave. It wasn’t much of a chance—but it was the only one they had. Elias knelt beside Lena, gripping her small shoulders. “You get on that train, and you don’t look back. Do you hear me?” Tears welled in her eyes. “But what about you?” He forced a smile. “I’ll be fine.” It was a lie. They both knew it. As the train doors began to close, he lifted her up and placed her inside. She pressed her tiny hands against the window, staring at him as the train pulled away. Elias turned to face the city, his gun drawn. Viper’s men were closing in. For the first time in his life, he wasn’t afraid. Because somewhere out there, in a world beyond Blackhaven, a little girl had a chance. A drop of goodness in seas of darkness. And that was enough. Epilogue Years later, in a town far from Blackhaven, a woman named Lena Carter stood before a group of children in a small orphanage. “This place exists because of a man who made a choice,” she said, smiling softly. “He showed me that even in the darkest places, kindness can still exist.” She looked out the window, up at the sky, and whispered, “Thank you, Elias.” Far away, beyond the reach of the city’s shadows, a drop of goodness had become a river. And the darkness? It never won.
By amgad2 years ago in Criminal
The Untold Story of a Writer's Last Words
Rashmika's death Rashmika Satsarani, one of the most popular writers of the new generation, was found dead with her head bowed at her writing desk. She had already finished writing her latest novel, "Premayakan Bhakta", which was half written at that time. She had passed away before she could finish it... So, you, the readers, will never get a chance to read her novel "Premayakan Bhakta" again...
By Rohitha Lanka2 years ago in Criminal
Inside El Salvador's CECOT: The World's Most Secure Prison Housing the Most Dangerous Criminals
In the heart of El Salvador, nestled within the municipality of Tecoluca, stands the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), a maximum-security prison that has garnered global attention for its unprecedented scale and stringent security measures. Designed to incarcerate the nation's most dangerous criminals, particularly members of notorious gangs like the Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18, CECOT symbolizes President Nayib Bukele's aggressive stance against organized crime.
By Jeeva2 years ago in Criminal
Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage Policy: Everything You Need to Know
Unlike most major U.S. airlines, Southwest Airlines has built its reputation on transparency and customer satisfaction. One of the most notable aspects of its service is its generous baggage policy. While other airlines charge passengers for checked bags, Southwest allows travelers to check up to two bags for free. Yes, you read that correctly—free. This policy has been a game-changer for budget-conscious travelers and has helped Southwest maintain a loyal customer base.
By Bint E Ruqqyyah2 years ago in Criminal
The Hidden Winners of War: Who Truly Benefits from Conflict?
Wars have profound and multifaceted impacts on societies, economies, and geopolitical landscapes. While the devastating consequences for civilians and infrastructure are well-documented, it's equally important to examine the entities that derive significant benefits from conflicts. This report delves into the various beneficiaries of war, supported by data, examples, and case studies.
By InkForChange2 years ago in Criminal
The Silent Witness
A small town covered in mystery soon becomes the scene of a chilling crime. In the quiet town of Brooksville, a place where everyone knew everyone, the unexpected death of George Peterson shocked the tight-knit community. George was a well-liked, charismatic businessman who ran a popular local restaurant. His sudden death was as mysterious as it was tragic, especially considering that he was found lifeless in his office late one night, with no signs of struggle or forced entry. Detective Alan Adams, a seasoned investigator with the local police, was assigned to the case. He had dealt with many crimes in his time, but nothing in Brooksville had ever been this unsettling. The town was known for its tranquility, and even the idea of a murder was something people could scarcely believe. However, George’s murder was real, and Adams had to find out who was responsible. Detective Adams is called to investigate the murder of a well-known local figure. As Detective Adams arrived at the crime scene, the cold air of the early morning sent a chill down his spine. George’s office was cluttered, with papers scattered across the desk and the floor, as though the murderer had ransacked the place. There were no signs of a struggle, and yet, George’s body showed signs of blunt force trauma to the head. Adams immediately began questioning witnesses—employees, friends, and anyone who might have known George. Despite the apparent lack of any suspects, everyone seemed to have their own theory. Some believed it was a botched robbery, while others suspected that George had gotten mixed up in something dangerous. But what struck Adams as odd was how everyone seemed so willing to share their opinions, yet no one had seen or heard anything unusual that night. No one had a concrete lead, except for one peculiar detail—a neighbor who lived next door to George's restaurant claimed to have seen someone leaving the building shortly before the police arrived. The only witness to the crime is a seemingly harmless neighbor. The neighbor in question was Mrs. Clara Dawson, an elderly woman known for her quiet nature. Clara had lived in Brooksville her entire life, and despite her frail appearance, she was sharp-minded and observant. When Detective Adams approached her with the request for her testimony, she seemed hesitant at first but eventually agreed to speak. Clara explained that on the night of the murder, she had been sitting in her living room when she noticed a shadowy figure leaving George’s office building. The figure was tall, wearing a dark coat, and their face was obscured by a hat. Clara hadn’t recognized the person, but she was certain that the individual had been inside George’s restaurant. “She didn’t look like someone who would hurt anybody,” Clara said, referring to the figure, “but there was something in the way she walked—like she knew what she was doing.” Clara's testimony gave Adams a starting point, but there was one problem: when he checked the security footage from nearby cameras, there was no sign of the person she described. It was as though the figure had vanished into thin air. Unraveling the truth proves more dangerous than anyone could imagine. Despite the lack of evidence, Detective Adams wasn’t ready to give up. He revisited Clara, hoping for more details that could lead him to the truth. As he sat in her living room, Clara seemed more nervous than usual. “I didn’t want to say anything earlier, Detective,” she whispered, “but I think I might know who the murderer is. It was someone close to George, someone he trusted.” Clara went on to explain that George had recently become involved in a shady business deal. She had overheard some conversations about money, debts, and people who might be willing to do anything to get their hands on it. Adams decided to dig deeper into George’s financial records and discovered something unsettling—there was a large sum of money that had mysteriously disappeared just days before his death. It pointed to George being caught up in a criminal web, but Adams still had no idea who the actual murderer could be. Then, Clara revealed the chilling truth—she had seen a person leaving George’s building that night, but she hadn’t seen their face because the person had been wearing a hat and coat. The person she thought was the murderer was actually someone she had seen in George’s restaurant many times before—the quiet, kindhearted woman who worked as George’s assistant. As Adams processed this new information, he realized that Clara hadn’t just been an innocent witness—she had been part of the story all along. Clara had known the assistant's secret all along and had stayed silent, protecting her friend. But in the end, the truth had to come out. The assistant had murdered George, but not for money—she was the one who had been trapped in the dangerous business deal that George had been unaware of. Clara, knowing the assistant’s innocence in the bigger criminal world, had become an unwilling accomplice in keeping the crime covered up. In the end, the truth came out, but at a high cost for Clara. The quiet town of Brooksville would never be the same again, and neither would Detective Adams, who learned that sometimes, the real criminals aren’t always the ones we expect.
By SHAKIB2 years ago in Criminal
A woman, a back road, and a crescent moon.... Content Warning.
Short note from the author: I was scared to write about this... because: 1. What if I was in the wrong for wanting to do remote photography in the evening (between approximately 9 and 10pm) with my kids bundled up in the car trying to relax them enough to go to sleep? I mean, how dare I mix something that makes me happy into our family's routine, right?
By Adora Hooper2 years ago in Criminal
Diamonds in the Shadows
Chapter One: The Encounter The sun dipped beyond the horizon of Los Angeles, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets and the ocean beyond. Julian Hart, a successful entrepreneur with a keen eye for investment, stood at the balcony of his luxury penthouse, nursing a glass of whiskey. He was a man who had conquered the world of finance, but life outside of work felt eerily empty. As he gazed at the city lights flickering to life, he knew he was missing something someone.
By MOHAMMED NAZIM HOSSAIN2 years ago in Criminal
Jail Journal: Page 21. Content Warning.
Angel just left. It makes me sad when the chill people leave, but I guess that's why they're chill. Apparently Deebeelynn is also getting out earlier too. Just by a day due to the weekend but, hey that's pretty good.
By Kayla McIntosh2 years ago in Criminal
Jail Journal: Page 20. Content Warning.
I want to write more but I am pretty burnt out. I guess thanksgiving we're given a special meal and possibly even soda. I am looking forward to the soda. Since it is the 26th, it means there is only 4 more days of the month. Deebeelynn is set to leave that time and I'll miss her but, we all deserve to leave this place. Also, it will just be 5 days after that when it is my turn so, it is bringing me relief just thinking about it.
By Kayla McIntosh2 years ago in Criminal
The Enigmatic Lady
Chapter 1: The Enigmatic Lady In a quaint town cloaked in the mist of forgotten tales, there lived an old woman named Beatrice Blackwood. With silver hair cascading down her shoulders and eyes that sparkled like shards of ice, she was a figure both alluring and fearsome. No one knew the dark secrets that dwelled within her heart, secrets stained with the blood of those she had wronged. To the townsfolk, she was simply an eccentric old lady who lived in a decaying mansion on the outskirts.
By MOHAMMED NAZIM HOSSAIN2 years ago in Criminal