fiction
Mystery, crime, murder, unsolved cases. Contribute your own tales of crime to Criminal.
Serendipity
Azam Ali’s melodic Persian voice stirred Hakeem back to life. He eyes remained closed as he silenced the alarm and let life flood back to his body. Thrusting himself out of bed, he was determined not to be beaten by quarantine. Staring out of the window as he brushed his teeth, the audaciously green palm trees called to him. A perfect morning. He could get used to winter in California. He stopped at his regular coffee haunt on Burbank before proceeding to the park. At 7am, it was sparse. Still, he ventured further in. Taking a solitary bench, he sipped his coffee, closing his eyes to savor the serenity of the chocolate notes.
By Abdul Al Hakim6 years ago in Criminal
The Bounty Hunters' Choice
“What would you do for us to really hit it big?” When Nikki didn’t look up from the magazine she was paging through, I reached out and nudged her with my foot. She shrugged, “Seriously Caren? I don’t know. What does hitting it big even mean?”
By Lady Coy Haddock6 years ago in Criminal
Second Chance Cafe
There it was, just sitting there. Looking deceivingly innocuous and innocent. He should have known better than to give in to his curiosity. But the distinguished looking little black book beckoned to him. Calling to him, sitting pretty on the stained yellowing Formica cafe counter, refusing to be ignored. Stopping dead in his tracks, he took a quick glance around. No one was paying him or the little black book any attention. Without sparing another thought to the other patrons, he grabbed the book in a quick swipe and hid it under the raincoat slung over his arm. He had no idea why he would give in to an impulse to steal someone else's property. It was out of character and against his usually mundane existence.
By Jennifer Newbauer6 years ago in Criminal
Taking Out the Trash
There is only so much I could stand playing Xbox on a Friday night. I thought the “batteries are dead anyway” as I tossed the controller on the recliner. I headed out, down the stairs of my apartment out to the street for a short walk to shed the foul stink of my one bedroom. As I headed out, I debated on where to go when I checked my wallet to see $3. I went to the corner store to grab a snack.
By Travis Leonardi6 years ago in Criminal
Little Black Book Or: The Spider Waits
Strangely, living in the city always provided him with a reassuring feeling of comfort. It was the fantasy perhaps, that all these unconnected lonely people share something, even if they didn’t know it. We all may be strangers to one another, but we’re all in it together and collectively we make a community. For some reason that thought made him happy. It was late in the evening, well into the twilight hours, and from the balcony he could perfectly see the beautiful skyline of the City.
By Brian Glover6 years ago in Criminal
The Black Books
The Black Books The narrow stairs spiral down into the dark café. It’s the only café in Chicago that boasts a brooding atmosphere. Dim lighting and booths with dark upholstery. I strain my eyes as I make my way to the back near the bar, then smash my hipbone into the corner of the table as I plop down in a booth across from Sam.
By Andrea Perno6 years ago in Criminal
Two Wrongs
Roger sat in the old bar chair nursing a drink in one hand and smoking a cigarette in the other. He stared off into nothing as he went over more excuses, he could give his wife as to why he lost another job. “Ro” she’d say in exasperation. “This is the third job this month. How are we ever going to be a family when you can’t even support the two of us”. He smirked as he imagined walking up to her and kissing her perfect pink lips before placing a kiss on her forehead.
By Blue Dymond6 years ago in Criminal
Old Notes
“That’s a lot of money.” “But is it good money?” I looked at Pete. I was about to say that that was a stupid question, but then, to be honest, I had briefly wondered the same thing myself, so I guess it wasn’t so stupid after all. It was old money, anybody could see that, two thick bundles of one hundred dollar bills stuffed in a decaying wooden box laid open on the floor in front of us.
By John Thornquist6 years ago in Criminal
Destination Unknown
Mary stood outside the club and looked at her phone. It wasn’t very late. A quiet sob escaped her throat as she searched for the Uber app and set up a ride home. Friday night, likely a ride will come quickly, she thought, trying to steady her breathing. She knew her face was a mess, but the crowds walking by and the long line of people waiting to get into the club paid no attention to her. She focused on the little car moving across the map on the phone, willing it to arrive quickly and take her away from the loud music and noisy people.
By T. Larissa Fogleman 6 years ago in Criminal
THE RUMMAGE
THE RUMMAGE ONE MAN’S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE BY RENITA GUYTON Ann was exhausted after moving into a new apartment and sifting through one rummage sale after the other. Ann’s was on her way home, but it was something about an old ugly green sofa sitting on the curb with a free sign on it that caught her attention. Ann stopped her truck and walked around and around the sofa checking it out. Despite the old fabric, and ugly color; Ann saw potential in the sofa. She paid the son of a neighbor to go back and help her retrieve the sofa and take it up the stairs to her new apartment.
By Renita Guyton6 years ago in Criminal
