Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Criminal.
First Disaster
Was it really too much to ask for a simple evening? A pleasant night spent with pleasant company. To enjoy a drink and some scintillating conversation? To not have everything I touch to end in disaster? Apparently so. Okay universe, I got the message. No good times for me. I didn't even understand how this one had happened. I guess that Merlot was hitting me more strongly than I’d thought. Not just me though, as I wasn’t here alone. I wasn’t the only one seeing this. So was the random guy standing next to me with his mouth agape.
By Morgan Christy Rickards5 years ago in Criminal
Find Love or Die Trying
She was looking for a man to make her feel valuable in a society that made her feel worthless, and if she happened to make a bit of money, perhaps a little fame along the way then that was okay by her. She’d played the game so far, bought every product going, enhanced herself, pandered to society’s ideals. All she wanted in return was for someone to treat her like they cared about her. Not another hedonist trying to work his way through sex jokes he’d seen on Urban Dictionary. If anyone ever tried to ‘donkey punch’ her again, they would not live to boast about it.
By Liam Kerry5 years ago in Criminal
Wrath of the Kentucky cannibal
Since childhood, I have been a fan of old westerns. I enjoyed classics like Bonanza, Gunsmoke and anything with Clint Eastwood, John Wayne or James Stewart. The old westerns were called “Spaghetti Westerns” because they were often filmed in Italy. There are also legendary gunfighters that remain forever in old folklore.
By Marc Hoover5 years ago in Criminal
GriveauxGate
As a student in International Law and Political Science, I’ve been brainwashed with the importance of the Rule of law as a barrier to the arbitrary exercise of power, and I must admit that I really did believe in it. The Rule of law is a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities are equally accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, I was taught throughout my ten-year-long studies. Now I’m involved in a political sex scandal, I can assert that the Rule of law is disturbingly, substantially malleable in France, especially when it comes to the idea of equality before the law. I’m glad I was able to confront this reality before I finish my studies: from an intellectual student, I now have the opportunity to become an intelligent woman.
By Alexandra de Taddeo5 years ago in Criminal
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Marcus took another long drag on his cigarette, letting the smoke fill his lungs and holding it briefly as the nicotine shot into his bloodstream, and then exhaled slowly as if letting the smoke go was speeding him closer toward his meeting with death. He wasn’t a smoker. Or a drinker for that matter. But when Henry came on shift and offered Marcus the already lit cigarette, something inside just said “Oh, what the hell.”
By Karen Bouknight5 years ago in Criminal
A Spilled Glass of Merlot
A Spilled Glass of Merlot by: Kristine Mannion Claire hung up the phone after the hours long conversation with her best friend Rose. She couldn't begin to put a name to the feelings that were churning around inside her, but could only say that she was consumed. Her gut rolled, her breath came in gasps, and she felt like pulling her hair out by the roots. She had held it together for the sake of her friend, not given into the depth of her own emotion, but now there was nothing, and she reeled. When her breathing evened out, she planned.
By Kristine Mannion5 years ago in Criminal
A First Date
First Date Johnny sat alone at the booth, tapping his foot nervously. His eyes scattered about as he waited impatiently for his date to arrive. We had agreed to 6:30; it’s 6:45, he thought. He kept looking at his phone, re-reading his last text to her: “HERE.” No response from her yet.
By Zachary J Gittrich5 years ago in Criminal
Chasing Seol
It was finally happening. 4 years, had it been? 4 years since a hooded woman showed up drenched at Tanya's father's clock shop with a gun. 4 years since she first considered the idea that she could actually die young and boring and in the middle of someone else's adventure. It took 4 years for Tanya to get an actual grip on her life, and a first date with the drenched woman, Seol.
By Dipra Jain5 years ago in Criminal
