Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Criminal.
Continuous Panic
My heart is racing as I’m running for my life. I feel the sweat trickling down my back as I make my way up the stairs. I quickly run into my bedroom, and lock the door behind me. I make my way over to the closet, but trip on the rug, landing hard on the floor. I look up in terror and realize that I’m not alone. As I sit up slowly, a rope wraps around my neck. I realize that this may be my last chance to find that book. I struggle to break free of the rope, but to no avail, I cannot fight my attacker. Darkness washes over me as I realize this is the last time I will see the sunlight shining through my window.
By Shaneza Ramnarine5 years ago in Criminal
Finding the Runaway
Lisa ‘s sleep was troubled during the night. She’d went to sleep late having spent the previous day moving into her new home. Everything was in order. It had been a hassle but she was finally settled in. She was so tired when she finally fell into her bed. Exhaustion usually made her sleep peacefully for hours. Not so this time. This house was brand new. Still the minute she fell asleep she started hearing noises. She heard the weak cry of a baby. It sounded so pitiful. She wanted to find it and comfort it. But where was it coming from. Were she asleep and dreaming? The sound seemed to be coming from the floor like it was traveling up from a long distance like the basement – even below that. Then it stopped. Another desperate voice of a young woman sobbing. No milk. No milk. My breasts are all dried up. Please God make mommy and daddy let me out. Then she began cooing to the wailing thrashing baby Soon her sobs mingled with the wailing of the desperately hungry baby. Her stomach rumbled as she crushed the baby to flabby empty breast. Lisa woke with a start. She heard nothing. She glances at her old fashioned alarm clock. Three o’clock. Bother she said as she burrowed back under the bed covers. The second she closed her eyes the heart rendering wailing started again. Lisa awoke again and finding that two hours had elapsed she got up determined to find the source of the noise as awake she was still hearing the wailing of the baby and the soft hopeless sobs of the young woman. Sliding her feet into her slippers as she dragged on her robe Lisa had to find the wailing baby. She slipped out the room quietly so as not to awaken her gently snoring husband who needed to be at work in a few hours. She lighted her way down the stairs with a flashlight. When she opened the door to the basement she was shocked and horrified. She didn’t see her beautifully finished basement. She didn’t know she’d screamed. Her husband was awakened and tore down the steps and found his wife swaying at the top of some dirty steps to an unfinished dungeon like basement and he heard the wailing too. He grabbed her arm and together they descended the rickety steps to the dirt floor. Lisa shined the flashlight in a circle seeing an old fashioned furnace in one corner and a room to the right of the steps with a door that glided open as if someone was expecting them. Focusing her light into the room Jason and Lisa beheld a gruesome sight. Bones. Human bones – not animal. Remnants of cloth still clung to the bones. Obviously a nursing mother and infant.
By Estella Wicks5 years ago in Criminal
Come Find Me
To some it was just a misplaced shoe, dropped along the road while heading home, but to Melissa, it was more than that. The shoe: all black, size 6, laces still tied lying in the dirt could be the only clue to a mystery unsolved. She had taken the photo she would later print and place next to the notes she jotted down in her little black book. Back in the car she tossed the book in the passenger seat, it landed with the others. Right now there were 6, at home it seemed there were hundreds.
By Norlita Brown5 years ago in Criminal
Black book
Cali Slammed the car door, her hand held skyward in protest of the sun, her sunglasses a useless prop. She popped her second Tylenol, washing it down with a gulp of water. Then she said out loud to herself “I am creating and manifesting abundance.” This was a positive affirmation-train Cali had been on for the last six months.
By Kadie Durocher 5 years ago in Criminal
La Talpa
La Talpa My life was never an easy one. You do not become a mafioso for an easy life. No one becomes a mafioso. You are fearless or you are not. You have swagger or you do not. You beat others or you do not. You are aggressive, boastful, and proud of your family. Or you are not.
By Lewis O'Donnell5 years ago in Criminal
The Hatchetman
Twenty thousand dollars is a lot of money. Anyone who says it’s not is lying just plain and simple. In a town like mine that much money buys a lot of things and not the least of which is respect. And respect buys you a lot of other things too. Respect is power and when you’re in the meat grinder power’s everything.
By Aaron Higgins5 years ago in Criminal
