fiction
Mystery, crime, murder, unsolved cases. Contribute your own tales of crime to Criminal.
As the Crow Flies
The swift murder of crows made its way south chasing a determined cloud. From below, an object shimmered and the group swirled to investigate, one screaming to alert the others. Like a funnel in a snowstorm they descended toward the object, purposely missing a great horned owl rising from the prize she’d already won. The huntress powered through the crowd with a small creature draped limply in its talons. The crows formed an attack frenzy, screaming and cawing like a room full of auctioneers, darting this way and that, up and down. The owl sniggered as it flew away, only bothered by the incessant noise that broke its reverent early morning silence. Before sunrise, three fluffy owlets would eat.
Marisa KellerPublished 3 years ago in CriminalOne Last Job
“One more job Cecily. That’s all we’re asking for.” “Jarrod, that’s what you said about the job two jobs ago.” “What can I say, you’re the best we have and we hate to lose you.” Jarrod sighed heavily “..but I mean it this time. It will be your last. There’s a lot at stake here and this is more of a favor than a job.”
Crystal HollembaekPublished 3 years ago in CriminalSawyer
Gaius Finn’s alarm was blaring and loud, demanding his attention at the unholy hour of 6:17am. He didn’t even bother trying to open his eyes, haphazardly slapping his nightstand as he tried to find the snooze button. Just five more minutes was all he needed, then he would get up and go to work. Mind-numbing, soul-destroying, number-crunching work.
A.N.G. ReynoldsPublished 3 years ago in CriminalWanted: VanGogh's Sketchbook
Lilly, fumbled for her keys to lock her apt. door as she rushed to leave. She didn’t want to be late, as she had been working at the Hanaford Museum in New York in the conservation department.
Robin HutchinsonPublished 3 years ago in CriminalSHE!
...She did it, my god, she did it! She looked over the tub to admire her work and to make sure it was done .17 hours ago today she wasn't even sure if she could follow through with her plan. But she did. It was crazy, she knew that, but nothing could stop her in those moments just before! She looked in the mirror and laughed like the devil possessed her voice box. Just as quick as her body started jolting: thoughts raced into her head “He’s next.”
Paris AllenPublished 3 years ago in CriminalLittle Black Book
Little black book, Little black book, You’re as precious as diamonds are to a crook. Little black book, Little black book,
Now's your chance
Last night I was kidnapped. All things considered it was a pretty polite kidnapping. I was headed home from work, wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking, and bumped into a woman in a Burberry trench coat going the other way. I apologized profusely but was caught off guard as I looked at her face. The woman’s complexion was the soft white of buffed marble. She had eggplant colored hair and the brightest green eyes I’d ever seen. In fact I was so mesmerized by them that I didn’t notice the needle in her hand until it was too late.
Amy M MertzPublished 3 years ago in CriminalThe Gunfight
September 24, 1878, Deadwood, Dakota Territory. Notorious gunslinger James ‘The Butcher’ Jackson, so named since he once worked in a slaughterhouse back in Chicago, rode into town. It was late in the afternoon and James had just completed a long day of riding and was looking for the nearest saloon to wet his whistle. James was the leader of a group of outlaws known as the Butcher’s Brigade. There were usually five others in his brigade, but today, James rode alone as the rest of his gang were going to catch up with him tomorrow, in Deadwood.
Roy TsukishimaPublished 3 years ago in Criminal411 Sandpiper Lane
July 6, 2021 Clayton, Mississippi “Well now ain’t you a sight for sore eyes.” Peach sidled over to a booth occupied by a well-dressed man, flashing her chipped-tooth grin. “What can I do you for today?”
Karen Philippin KilpatrickPublished 3 years ago in CriminalGood Deeds
On a bright morning in May 1948, Clyde Hawkins walked out of the Indiana State Penitentiary a free man. “Never again,” he said to himself as he glanced over his shoulder at the brick behemoth. Behind him was a twisted maze of concrete and steel, of chains and barbed wire. What lay before him was a world of endless possibilities.
Buck A. TurnerPublished 3 years ago in CriminalTueuse
Eloise took a moment to reapply her red lip before stepping over the body. “What a terrible shame” she muttered, shaking her head, getting one last look at her lover. He had a handsome face, she thought. A strong jaw line, high cheek bones, eyes to die for. She’d always been mesmerized by green eyes. She crouched down to get a better look at them. They had once looked at her adoringly, full of love and the promise of a future. She stood up and looked away, immediately regretting her decision. It was chilling, looking into the eyes of a corpse. She felt uneasy, as though somehow he could still see her. She pictured a police officer calling their colleagues over, “I know who did it, look here, you can see it in his eyes.” She scoffed at herself. She was being ridiculous.
The Lakeside Hotel
The Lakeside Hotel had been there as long as Michelle could remember. Her family had driven past it on the way to her grandparents house for Sunday dinners since she was a baby, and it had always stood out to her as a bit of a puzzle. The hotel seemed like nothing more than a bland, grey office building, mismatched with the most charming retro marquee sign at the entrance. The neon had long since gone dark, giving the impression that the hotel was abandoned, and yet there were always cars parked in the lot. The name had never made sense to her either. The property was clutched by woods, but there was no evidence of an actual lake nearby. She had never expected to have a reason to visit the hotel, but her daily scan for jobs on the college bulletin board had changed that.
Leigh-Anne HiltzPublished 3 years ago in Criminal