fiction
Mystery, crime, murder, unsolved cases. Contribute your own tales of crime to Criminal.
Guilty Notes: A Hitman's Tale
As Tommy turned the corner, he realized he was being followed. Security had been heightened for a few days anyway, but that was because some of Don Giovanti’s men were being targeted by rival gangs and smaller factions trying to create a reputation for themselves. Even though he refused to be associated with this group of men, he knew well enough to stay away; as far away as possible, but even now he knew that was going to be impossible. When Giovanti wanted to see you, he would have you brought to him one way or another.
By Amanda Castelli3 years ago in Criminal
Rush Of Blood To The Head
Everything started with the damn notebook, I bought it…No, let me be honest for once, I lie too much anyways. Lying has become such an essential part of my life. I am not even sure how or why, but it has, slowly and deliberately, bit by bit lies enveloped, engulfed every aspect of my being till there was nothing else left, only lies. I see it so vividly now. It all seemed innocent and simple at first, it seemed nothing at all. I didn’t have any nefarious reasons or plans to lie, all I wanted was to look better, to make others want me, appreciate me, love me after all. It never occurred to me that I could be loved, appreciated or accepted the way I was, I absolutely had to pretend and one would lead to the other, like a web. I would tell stories about who and what I was to intrigue people, make them curious about me. Truth was too simple, too mundane. The truth was that I was a thief, a lier, a fucking whore, but I needed to seem, I needed to be something better, lies were small price to pay. If I couldn’t become a worthy human being in reality, at least I could be that in the eyes of others, for a minute, an hour, a few days.
By Oksana Dolna3 years ago in Criminal
The Wall of Love & Good Fortune
It was my last day, and it was time. Thirty years on the force, eighteen as the robbery unit's lead detective. I dedicated my life to this job and the community I serve, but my tacklebox was ready, and I could hear the loons calling over the glass-calm misty morning water. Is there a prettier sound? If so, I haven’t heard it.
By Miss Charlotte3 years ago in Criminal
Bulldog Chronicles
Some days I wonder about the celestial events that bring us all together. The things beyond the monetary value of existence. Lone rover landing on Mars. Acquisition of objects that without memory mean nothing. The shells of old love collected on the beach, which now serve as ashtrays. Or the juggling balls gifted for Christmas; which you never learned to juggle, but cherish because grandma remembered you always wanted to be in the circus.
By Calla Kennedy3 years ago in Criminal
Lady luck and the cash
Angela had been living the dream, the rural nightmare of snakes in the house, pythons with their heads down the loo and drapped across the cistern, bats flying through and roosting in her bedroom when she thought a couple of days in the city would help. A week of concrete and exhaust fumes, trains, buses, people pushing against each other as they make their way from their home boxes to work boxes to exchange labor for money to sit and sleep in concrete boxes always refreshed her and rebooted her love for nature and her peaceful and productive life as an artist.
By Lindy Collins3 years ago in Criminal
Renumeration
This is it. You're outta luck. Outta luck and outta time. The sudden, stifling journey in the boot of an unknown vehicle all but promised you that. You search, frantic for evidence contradicting your guilt, but it's no use. You know. They know. Pretty much the entire town knows. Something has been amiss over the previous week. The air of the room in which you sit has a dreadful smell. A dampness that tickles the throat and behind that, something sinister.
By Crispin Case-Leng3 years ago in Criminal
Memoirs Of A Paperboy
One second can change your life forever. My one second came when I was just 16 years old. Until now, I have never talked about what happened on the summer day that changed my life. Which set me down the path that brought me to where I am today.
By Edward Anderson3 years ago in Criminal
The Fast Track
“The best samosas in Queens!” His eyes twinkled like the oily sheen on the pastries. “Hot and fresh!” I believed him. Wisps of steam fogged up the glass display case. On any other day, I would have scarfed up enough to make me sick. But today, I was already nauseous.
By Sudipta Quabili3 years ago in Criminal