Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Criminal.
James Smith
Saturday June 15th 05:56am Its our anniversary tomorrow, she wants to celebrate the loathsome occasion. I’ll have to buy her a present. The bitch doesn’t cook terribly and performs in bed well. I ordered makeup for her, god knows she needs it. Times like this I miss my ex I’m sick of her incessant whining. Speaking of ex’s, I need to check on her.
By Laura Graham 5 years ago in Criminal
A Stranger's Inheritance
“Your Honor, I did not kill him.” I sat alone now in my cell. The guard that was on duty had come by and removed my fellow incarcerated. Supposedly, the youth had his relative stop by the station to post bail. He had boasted to me that he had burgled a boutique the night before. Two hours and a baseball bat, and the absent-mindedness to not leave his wallet at home. The patrol picked him up after breakfast, and he was leaving before supper. I wonder how that was possible, but I presume it may be related to the distinctive embroidered L and V on his boots. It must be nice.
By Ari Groobman5 years ago in Criminal
Time Served
The call came down right after midnight. Duprey and I had just finished showers in confinement, a four-hour affair most nights that had seemed to take all night tonight. We had kicked our feet up on the desk, prepared to relax a little when the phone rang over the sounds Nickleback that Sergeant Lang was listening to. Lang put down the folder he was going over and paused the music before picking it up on the third ring.
By Joshua Campbell5 years ago in Criminal
The Crooked Connection
No matter what Bert Stone said, I was gonna be somebody. I’d been pedaling his newspapers for a while now and I was good, I could sell. As long as no one nicked my corner, I could set up my board to catch the sharp-suited men whose oversized coats billowed as they headed to Union station and tempt them with the Evening News or Examiner. But from my spot I could also pull out the muckrakers to catch the lowly eye of steelworkers as they trundled past after working on either the Wrigley or Jewelers building, most likely. With their flat caps and cigarettes coupled with their scraggy vests, they had a style different to the office men straight from Vogue (as I imagined not being willing to sell those for 55¢ a copy) but had a rustic working man’s charm all the same. That’s what I loved about downtown Chicago, it was a magical place to me and someday I’d be heading straight to the top. It was 1925 for goodness sake, everywhere you looked we were building and enterprising the way to the future! Whirring electric trams and flashing neon lights glowing through the haze of cigarette smoke and cars honking as they rattled through the busy streets, it never felt like you were alone in Chicago.
By Emma Nicholls5 years ago in Criminal
The little Black Book
Carmelo had been waiting torturously in this cold damp alleyway for three hours without as much as a chance of 'boosting' a wallet off of anyone. The thought of leaving crossed his mind, but his empty growling stomach reminds him that his alternatives are few.
By John Mcmanamy5 years ago in Criminal
Guardian Angel
The car slowed to a stop, she could see the skeleton of a house sneering through the overgrown trees and bushes. It looked as ominous as she remembered. Set back from the road, it wasn’t immediately noticeable, mostly secluded and surrounded by huge trees and corn fields. It stood hollow, with its deep dark vacant windows contrasting the chipped white exterior paint, its door open just enough to entice you closer, but caution entry inside. A feeling of increasing anxiety was intensifying, but perhaps it should be more aptly attributed to the unlawful trespassing she was about to participate in versus an “other-worldly” explanation. For some reason, breaking and entering as a teenager seemed much less of an issue.
By Sara Marie5 years ago in Criminal
Elijio
Elijio Poor young guy who always wanted more than from where he came from. The taste of sweetness from the sugar canes that his family harvested in the border town of Pedras Negras just south of Texas came to become the only rich pleasure Elijio got from working long hours during the harvest season. Watching yet again as dusk started to set in and money being exchanged between his brother and the cartel gave him anxiety and nausea knowing he barely had enough to get by for his wife and daughter.
By Carlos Casarez5 years ago in Criminal
The Darkness Contained in The Cecil Hotel
Many people may not have heard of the Cecil Hotel, before the recent Netflix documentary. The dark malevolence that comes from the place seems to seep from every corridor. Elisa Lam is the most infamous death there, but it certainly isn't the only one.
By Sam H Arnold5 years ago in Criminal
