fiction
Mystery, crime, murder, unsolved cases. Contribute your own tales of crime to Criminal.
My Curious Regret
There I sat behind the dusty counter with my sketch pad in front of me and pencil in hand, thinking of what to draw next. I have always loved art and for as long as I can remember, I have had dreams of becoming a famous artist. When business is slow, which is often, I sketch. Sure, I could be working, straitening up or cleaning the dusty old antiques, but I would rather do something I enjoy, something that takes my mind off this old, smelly place. “See you tomorrow, Adam!” my manager yelled with enthusiasm as I unchained my bike from the bike rack. At least it was not his usual corny joke about insurance or me going too fast. My apartment is about 3 blocks from the shop, so it works out perfectly.
By Kourtney Camille6 years ago in Criminal
Till The Last Drop
As Jane learned from her boss and after grant writing for too little money, the wording was everything. So, when she placed the notebook on the table 30 minutes into negotiations, she made sure there was no misunderstanding when she said, “I believe we were at 40 grand.”
By India Davis6 years ago in Criminal
The Blackwood Mystery: A Closed Book?
A cool breeze flicked her auburn hair back and gave her respite from the unrelenting summer heat as she gazed out on to the lake, staring. At what, she could not say. The death of her father was shocking and yet the tears just would not come when she attended his funeral that morning. Her father, Baron Blackwood, had reportedly overdosed on medication. She never got a chance to get to know her mother since she died shortly after giving birth to her brother. The only family she had left were her older and younger brothers, Andrew and Edward, respectively. She felt numb. But why? She wondered. The Blackwood family was old money, very old money. So old that the family had forgotten what made them rich in the first place. She was never particularly close with her father, he was always working on his next project, his next book, his next investment. It was a rarity to even share a meal with him. Baron was a pharmacologist and Caroline was a progressive psychologist. Everything in their waking moments was dedicated to their craft and expanding the wealth of their family. Wealth that she did not see much of. After turning 18, it was her father’s belief that she and her brothers should earn money on their own, hoping they would build a sense of appreciation for it. She could not say what became of her father, all that time after she had left. Apparently, he never once left that old manor, and it became his tomb. Andrew told her that the proud fire that once burned in his eyes was swiftly extinguished the night her mother had passed. And as if this weren’t enough, she had received a letter earlier that week inviting her to come to the manor. “Ms. Claire Blackwood, after the funeral concludes please come to the Blackwood Manor for the reading of your fathers will.” It was even stamped with the family's crest, an owl with black pines surrounding it. Her mind began to think about what could have been; if her mother were still alive and if she had been there for her father. But she had been thinking all day, and she was tired of thinking. Think too much and you'll get stuck in the past. Claire realized. She took one last look at her reflection in the water and started making her way to the manor.
By Daniel Dix6 years ago in Criminal
The Nook
On a bright spring morning as colorful and delicious as ripening grapes on a vine, Fiona was happily strolling to her favorite place in Culver City. Listening to a jazzy number by Louis Armstrong as she bopped along, Fiona was lost in a world of her own thoughts as she imagined what her first day as the new owner of The Nook would feel like. She had known the place well as a patron, but she remembered her conversation with Maggie, one of the previous owners, about the secrets there that lay hidden waiting to be discovered. Fiona was boiling over with the anticipation of possibility and prosperity.
By Wendy Sanders6 years ago in Criminal
Norsemen
EXT. FOREST - DAY Birds chirp and wind whistles. Faint noises of wildlife fills the air. A young Norse man, HALDAR, sneaks in the shrubs. Holding a bow that he handcrafted. He draws back an arrow wrapped in mistletoe. Aims it at a deer tail in the distance.
By Christopher Wagner Lee6 years ago in Criminal
Tick
Flicking a blonde curl out of her eyes, Joelynne Stevens glanced at her computer as she waited for an important email to come through. Seeing it hadn’t come yet she pushed her chair away and stood up and stretched her long arms above her head to relieve her aching muscles. As she put her hands back down beside her white knit jumper and slim fitting denim jeans that she had chosen to wear that day, she sighed and yawned as she spoke,
By Ashleigh Holmes6 years ago in Criminal
How I Beat the Pandemic
My nights end with watching the sunrise. After last call, clean up, then employees’ last call, by the time I hopped – or stumbled, depending on the night – out of the streetcar – the buildings were all outlined in gold light. Getting a camera was one of the many things on the old To-Do list once I had the money. It was, I should say.
By Luiza Araujo6 years ago in Criminal
THE BIG INHALE
Three days ago I stopped breathing. But, hey man, I was desperate, you know? This damn covid thing meant I was out of a job, and my girlfriend kept hounding me to get something else. That wasn't happening so I decided to go back to my old way of making money. Sure I was rusty, but I figured it was like riding a bike. Besides, it would only be for a while. That’s what I kept telling myself.
By Diane Kasulis 6 years ago in Criminal
His Name Was...
It started at the New Years Eve Party last year. I came in with a couple of my girls and he stood over in the kitchen smiling from ear to ear in her face. As it seemed, he could easily fool anyone that he was madly in love with this woman. He fooled me for sure.
By Daisy Lane6 years ago in Criminal
