fiction

Mystery, crime, murder, unsolved cases. Contribute your own tales of crime to Criminal.

The Murder In The Rio Hotel Room
The room was what you could expect of a hotel where all the people how slept in the rooms had loads of money stored away, the room was almost the size of a small London flat and had a king-sized bed that before the murder was probably made nicely with the dark sheets a cream. Now they were laced with splattered blood and two bodies, a young girl with black curly hair in a button-up shirt and her partner just newly married as this had been their honeymoon sweet or that’s what the hotel owner had told him. He stood in front of a painting of a young woman with curly dirty blonde hair. Although it was painted all in color, the style of clothing the woman was wearing was roaring 20’s fashion. There was a bright-colored scarlet Macaw on her shoulder, as her hands lay in her lap of her crossed legs a feather fan and thin smoking pi what know would just be cigarette or vape.
By Victorian Black 5 years ago in Criminal
Gallows Eve Mantra:
Apparently, there were no other ways to rearrange the alphabet. He couldn’t help but be a latch key kid that summer night. Melissa thought they were babies having a bonfire and so rapidly she got burned. He smelled like cigarette stains on animal fur. He was passively obsessive, she a bit more overt. She used to think she saw God in rainbows, but that night she wished it not to rain. We seek sunshine and end up with less. It’s quite a dichotomy, the sons and the rain. She picked seashells alone remembering to be cautious with each step for fear of what she might drag with her along the way.
By Danielle Urciullo5 years ago in Criminal
A Dead Man's Legacy
Since he walked in on that hot, humid summer day in July, he’s never even smiled at me once. His name was Paul, and he was a childhood friend of sorts. He just showed up at the bar one day and he’s been a regular ever since. When we were kids, we used to hang out together all the time. We were neighbors so he would often be at my house, or I’d be at his. For the longest time, we were even best friends, but you know how life goes. People grow apart; they’re here one day, gone the next. I tried to ask about him but I never got an answer. So, I moved on. What else could I do? It had been about 12 years since I last seen him. I felt as though it was faith that brought him here. It’s funny how even though I recognized him, I really didn’t at the same time. He was always handsome; I was glad that didn’t change. Age had made me wrinkled and bitter. There were a few new wrinkles on his face too, but Father Time only moves forward? He was more muscular now, but now he walked with an authority he never had before. Stepping on the Earth as if he despised her. Before, he would glide across the ground. Now, he had powerful, robotic strides and angry, forceful steps. It was his demeanor which troubled me most. It was as if he woke up with the weight of the heavens on his big, broad shoulders. Consequently, they were slumped over like a retired boxer. He never smiled. Not when the drunkards fought, not when the karaoke was unbearable, not when women would flirt with him. He was icy. I wanted to know why.
By Maco5 years ago in Criminal
The Assassin
The Assassin by: Dennis R. Humphreys Louis Montaigne was a killer...a cold blooded, precalculating killer for hire. For twenty years he was employed by a wealthy industriaslist who had him dispose of problems and people that interferred with his business, and that included politicians.
By Dennis Humphreys5 years ago in Criminal
The Comfort of the Doomed
It's funny that death is so easy. There one second and gone the next. You'd think that a rich, full life wouldn't snuff out as quickly as it does.
By lucyjb5 years ago in Criminal
My Fairytale Murder - Hometowns
A few years ago I was recording a fairy tale podcast with my friend, both of us inspired by our favorite podcast, My Favorite Murder. Ever since the beginning we wanted to do an homage episode with My Fairy Tale Murder. We each picked a fairy tale that featured a murder and covered the story in a similar fashion to the way that Karen and Georgia cover a true crime each week. Part of the episodes in the first couple years of MFM was reading home town murders that were written in by listeners. For our homage episode, I imagined what it would be like if some of our favorite fairy tale heroines & heroes wrote in their own home town murders...
By Harlequin Curio 5 years ago in Criminal
Houdini
By Rick Hartford “Are you a spiritual man, Mr. Blackbird?” The woman posing the question was wearing a tiny white bikini as she lay on a black leather chaise lounge, smoking a Benson and Hedges menthol cigarette which she held in her left hand. In her right hand: a drink, which she sipped while holding the gaze of Ricardo Blackbird’s very private eyes.
By Rick Hartford5 years ago in Criminal
Unsung Hero Dreamt of Helping Children
After two and a half years of trying to reinvent me in Bali. I faced the prospect of ending up as a 60-year-old vagrant on my stepmother’s doorstep. The building process on my Ubud, Bali villa had depleted my financial resources. and much of my resilience. I had bookings for the villa, but not enough savings to get me through days or weeks of vacancy. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing the place. Having to leave my Tuti (my wife), and head out, yet again, on that unmarked highway.
By Arlo Hennings5 years ago in Criminal
Untitled..
Synopsis: Dre is coming home after a record breaking college football career at USC. He's now waiting to be drafted in April only two months away. In doing so he must go back home to his hood and await draft time. Unfortunately, he lives in the worse city in the country. Dre has to focus on his bright and immediate future in the midst of his tough neighborhood.
By ET Productions 5 years ago in Criminal
A Shot of Bourbon
“Busy?” “No.” My default answer, when you need the money, you need the money. “What you got?” “Simple job, man. Come meet me at Kingsburg. There’s a farm we need to go to, in and out, ten minutes.”
By Malky McEwan5 years ago in Criminal
The Wrong Jacket
A great error It was a clear beautiful fall day with leaves shades of brown yellow and orange layering the street. I had taken my jacket to the cleaners on the corner of Jackson street. There was a dry cleaner near my work. I took my jacket there because they claimed to be the best same-day dry cleaners in the city. After a hard day's work, I went to pick up my jacket. The man gave me the jacket with the same ticket number. I thought everything was fine when I arrived home. I discovered the man had given me the wrong jacket. I checked the pockets of the jacket and found a piece of paper and a small key. The key is small and could fit a mailbox or deposit box. I place the key on my bedroom end table along with the slip of paper. I don’t think about it anymore. I place the jacket over a chair in the living room determined to take it back in the morning.
By Anna cruz5 years ago in Criminal
TREMBLE
TREMBLE By: Sophia Vanguard Chapter 1: Pre-Grad “So…here it is. Our big day……Geez. What are we gonna do?” Chase said as he plopped down with his face cupped in his hands all frustrated. Just sad. That was a ridiculous question, and Chase knew it. Of course, none of us had any idea what we were doing after high school. “What the hell?! What has gotten into you? You’re never like this.” I said with an extreme attitude. Deep down I was scared, and I did NOT want to face the real world. I knew nothing. None of us did. Most won’t admit that. “Yeah, like never.” I loved Lexi’s little stupid remarks. Most of the time. She was such a prep hidden behind a shy persona. The only people who knew her truly were Chase and I. She is kinda a loner…. we all are. “Guys, relax! We don’t have to think of this right now. Graduation is tonight. Our future is tomorrow. Let’s take it one day at a time. Please. Lex, What about this one?” Not even one second after that question, and there she went again with her silly little remarks. Always so quick to respond. “Well I don’t know. I can’t see it.” I was taking one last glance in the mirror before stepping out to face their brutal comments. I knew they hated sequins, but I loved this dress. “Okay, smartass. I’m bracing myself. Sometimes you guys are harsher than Joan Rivers.” I said, rolling my eyes as I stepped out of the dressing room. “So…what do you guys think?” They couldn’t speak. That was rare. “Honestly…. I think I like it.” Lex quickly turned to Chase to see if he agreed but for some reason he was just staring at me. “Uhm…Hello? Earth to Chase!” She said, snapping her fingers in his face. “Gross. I get it, Chase. That dress shows off her curves very well. Hey, at least we know he’s not gay now.” Chase seemed annoyed. “Lex! That was horrible. Not to mention, the guy in the clothing department is gay. Be careful what you say Lex. For once.” Sometimes she seriously had no filter. She didn’t even have anything against gay people. Lex just blurts out what she wants to. “Whatever Lex. You’re just jealous you’re as straight as a corn stalk. You look stunning Chloe.” Lex rolled her eyes and slammed her back up against the chair, crossing her arms. Letting out one big sigh she said, “You HAVE to get that dress. Number one, it looks so good and makes your body bangin’. Number two, I’m getting real tired of Chase and this HAS to be the one hundredth dress you’ve tried on. Number three, the dress will send serious shock waves to the entire senior student body. Everyone suspects you to show up in leggings and a hoodie. You will be the talk of the town. Everyone will want you. Besides, if you have curves, you should flaunt them.” Lex said, shrugging her shoulders. I looked at Chase. His opinion was most important. He was a guy. “Yeah, it’s nice. I like it.” I was shocked. “I did not think you guys would like this. You guys hate sequins.” I said as I was reaching to find the price tag. Great. It was over my budget. Chase knew something was up with my expressions. Lex was too busy scrolling through memes. “What’s wrong? Is it over your budget?” Chase asked sincerely. “Of course, it is. Nothing can ever go right for me.” I was so disappointed. “Well you change and hand all of your dresses to me. I’m sure we can find something.” Yeah, yeah, yeah. Leggings and a t-shirt it is! “Yeah, I’m sure we can.” I said sarcastically. I went into the dressing room, got undressed, and threw the dresses over the top of the door so Chase could grab them. “Thanks Chase! Lex. You can go home if you want. We can just walk over to Brenda’s Closet. I know you’re tired. I won’t be mad.” I could feel her hesitating to answer not knowing what she wanted to do. She was so indecisive. “No, it’s okay. I want to make sure I ride with my besties to graduation. Besides, I don’t want to ride with mom to grad. She will ruin my whole night.” I got dressed and we started walking to the front of the store. “Boo!” Lex and I jumped and screamed in horror. It was Chase, of course. He was hiding in a rack of clothing. He always loved scaring us. “What, did you buy yourself a dress?” Lex said, looking down at the bag he was carrying. “No, I bought her dress.” He pointed to me. “Chase! You’re crazy! That was eighty-five dollars!” I was baffled. Chase smiled. “Calm down. I wanted to see you in something different for a change. Besides, you’ve helped me with so many essays this year during my dad’s fight with cancer. I owe you.” I almost forgot his dad had passed. “Chase, I did that to help. I never wanted anything in return…Thank you, though. That’s really sweet.” I couldn’t help but stare at his goofy smile and blue green eyes with lashes to make any girl jealous. “Gross! Hello? Still here! What? Are you guys going to become a thing now?” Chase and I snapped out of it and laughed the moment off and rolled our eyes. “So, I guess off to hair and makeup now? Lex, are we going to your place?” I asked. “What do you think? I’m the only one with makeup here. Actually, I take that back. I forgot about the makeup hidden in Chase’s closet he hides in” Lex said as she pushed him. Chase pushed her playfully back. “Shut up! Oh wait, you don’t know how to. Oooooooo!” Lexi and Chase were always joking around. They were like brother and sister. They were always making me laugh. “Okay, children. Let’s go.” I wanted out quickly. I could tell people were getting annoyed by us. I don’t blame them. On our ride home to Lexi’s place we stopped for some coffee. We were all exhausted already. It took us two hours to get ready. Chase played video games while we got ready, helping us whenever we needed help. He was such a good friend. “Okay. So where are we meeting our parents for pictures?” I asked. “Mom! Where are we getting our pics done?!” Lex yelled, piercing our ears. Candice popped into the room. “So we narrowed it down. We can take pics at Patterson Park, or we can take pics at the school in their garden.” All three of us had the most disgusted looks on our faces. “No thanks. No more of that school please. Let’s do the park. They have a way better garden and lots of cherry blossoms.” Lex said. “Okay, that’s fine. Just thought taking pics at the school would be more meaningful. What do you kids think? The park?” Candice was so nice. She just tried to control everything all the time. We nodded our heads and smiled. “Okay. Park it is. I will text them to meet us there. Lex, I will meet you there. Don’t be too late.” Candice pinched Lexi’s cheeks and walked out gracefully as always. “Sometimes…I think I have a glass doll as a mother. Scary.” We all laughed, Lex was right. Her Mom was so perfect and sweet. Lex was so fortunate to have a mother like her. I wish my Mom was more like Candice. “Let’s roll!” Lex said, swirling her right index finger in the air. We had to catch up. She had to be in control just like her mom. We went to the park and took pics. Of course, my Mom forgot to charge her phone and did not want to be in any of the pictures. At least she showed up. Probably because she wanted to fool Candice, Jeff and Amanda to make it seem like she cared. Unless she sorta cared. Once Dad left she was never the same. She gave up on life, and on me. She became a rock. No emotions.
By Sophia Vanguard 5 years ago in Criminal