fiction

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

The Heist
I took my first step toward the bank, scarcely believing that I was really going to do this. A second disjointed step. How had it come to this? I glanced over my shoulder to the spot where we would often park to watch the bank together: just Dad and I. Feeling wholly disconnected to my feet, I still noted that they were moving forward. Almost as if they were on autopilot. All those days spent sitting next to Dad, watching the bank, and chatting about all of our plans for the money that we would soon be rolling in —faithfully noting all goings-on in the little black notebook. In this fashion, we sought to ignore that the dialysis treatments had less and less effect on him.
By Lydia Bowman6 years ago in Criminal
A Costly Shortcut
It was a cold, winter day in Chicago as Mason watched another 18 inches of snow hit the railyard track. Mason came from a middle-class household and believed in strong family values. Today was his daughter's fourth birthday, and he couldn’t wait to get home and see the look on her face when she opened her present.
By Ahsan Saeed6 years ago in Criminal
THE PHARMACIST (SHORT)
The Pharmacist (Short) CHAPTER I City driver - (Car Horn sounds) Move it Jack ass! Julien - Shut up! Where are you going?! There’s literally nowhere to go! That’s why they call it traffic.
By Brandon Mitchell-Williams6 years ago in Criminal
Dumpster Fire No. 50
Cecelia watched Jimmy scoop something out of his jacket pocket and drop it through a hole in the floorboard of the speeding Ford ‘Blazer’. Simultaneously, he maneuvered the truck onto the interstate with his other hand. He eyed the rearview mirror and laughed heartily. P-tang! P-tang! P-tang! "What was that?" Cecelia asked. Jimmy’s mischievous eyes twinkled as he flashed her a broad smile. “That, my dear Cece, was the sound of steel balls hitting the NARC’s car that is following us…but won’t be for long!” Jimmy exploded in raucous laughter. His laugh was infectious and soon she was doubled over in laughter too. She swooned with euphoria at the excitement she felt around Jimmy. Unfortunately, she would soon realize with Jimmy, euphoria and excitement would become something dangerous. One more fire in a long series of 'dumpster fires' that Cecelia identified with her life...just ignited.
By Zamora6 years ago in Criminal
Interstate 17
THEY ARRIVED EARLY, per usual. The house was an old Victorian on Senator Highway, wrapped by a lacey iron gate with a little front garden. The driver pulled parallel to the curb and put the van in park. The passenger exited and walked through the gate up to the front door and knocked and waited for it to be answered.
By alexander gerber6 years ago in Criminal
Sincerely, Russell
The metallic purr of the rust-colored storage unit door came to a halt with a loud thud echoing down the empty hallway as I peered into its contents. One hundred twenty-five dollars in cash made me the proud owner of the solitary box waiting for me in the corner. Storage auctions are more hit than miss with the unwanted, unforgotten accumulations of junk and holiday decorations. Occasionally, there are some worthwhile finds like coins, jewelry or the mountain bike I cleaned up to collect dust in my own garage, promising myself I would ride it one day and finally get into shape.
By Christine 6 years ago in Criminal
A Saving Grace
Pulling into the gravel driveway I could see a grand mansion off into the distance. “Wow” I exclaimed, it took my breath away.
By Jasmine Spencer6 years ago in Criminal
A Matter of Choices
The fridge is broken. The bills are piling up. There’s never enough money. Jake wandered along the city streets, stressing over his dire financial straits. The little black book in his pocket is filled with red marks to track which bills need to be paid and which can wait. The pandemic couldn’t have come at a worse time.
By Alarming Fig6 years ago in Criminal
The Runaway
I could feel the heat- dancing across my skin like his fingers had the night before. This was a bright, blinding world he gave me- nothing like Dull Creek, Oklahoma. Out here you could finally make sense of what they were trying to sell you in the magazines: The American Dream. Dull Creek gave you nothing to hope for but leaving. We all think we will one day. We talk about it as children; we say we’re gonna make it big and never look back. But nobody ever does. I really thought I was something when I got keys to be the overnight attendant at the only five and dime store in town. Soon, I realized it was just more of what the rest of my life had been- drunks and boredom. But I guess there is a God, because I prayed real hard and he sent me an escape.
By Kennedy Roe6 years ago in Criminal
The Black Book, Dansy
“Would you like to tell us what really happened? And what you were doing with all that money we found on you.” The office said, placing the tape recorder in the middle of the table. I stared at that table for a while, cold and shining. The officer’s mug sat there, the words NYPD printed on the side; his aging coffee gone cold. “This is it” he says, “this is the moment to tell your story.” I smirked and replied, “A story...that’s a funny thing to call it considering the circumstances. Some might call it more of a tragedy. But you know, before a tragedy occurs, before the mistake that will end your life is made, there is a moment of hope. This moment is but a breath of time in length—that is all the time life ever gives you to choose—and, win or lose, you will live with all the weight of the decision. So maybe it should be called hope; some people call it sin.
By Ch6 years ago in Criminal
Patient Confidentiality
My eyes were peeled open, glued to the ceiling. I was deep in thought about the events that led to my current circumstances. The mere cold alone was enough to make me regret my decision. The decision that led me here, the same psychiatric ward that I referred my clients to when they were having some sort of mental health breakdown. My psychiatrist entered the cold, stale room, and roared, “Well hello Mrs.Gilbert! Oh, I’m sorry, Dr. Gilbert. How are you feeling?”
By Dee Sha'Ron6 years ago in Criminal
Petty Games
Burn it. Bury it. Both. I eyed it back as it eyed me. The little black book sitting on the nightstand across the room from me in its unrelenting righteousness. I sat in my chair drumming my fingers on the wooden arm rest. Making random rhythms of the rapping sounds.
By K. Thomas6 years ago in Criminal