Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Criminal.
Should Have Known Better
The pipeline was slippery. I was crawling across it, trying to get to the middle so I could leap into the canal. They grease it with tar to prevent us from days like this. The boats were ignoring the no wake signs, speeding without regard for the manatees. It made things more exciting when I stood up and cannon-balled into the water, my feet landing safely on the bottom missing any broken glass or sharp rocks usually trapped there. I pushed upward, swimming against the strong current; splashing through the surface, I was staring at the front of a speeding boat. I quickly duck-dived – a trick I learned when surfing in choppy water only it's much easier when you don’t have a board. After dropping low in the water, I swam to the shore and jumped on my Dino bike. I was already running late for our game of Hunt.
By Kevin Charlton5 years ago in Criminal
Nightcrawlers
Some people live precariously, others vicariously, and still others spend the vast majority of their existence with one foot in the grave. The woman who existed under the rather unimaginative pseudonym of Jane Doe was one of the latter sort…literally.
By Jacynthe Yeo5 years ago in Criminal
Angry Earth
“I am Earth,” she said. I paused, my pen flicking gently over my note pad. Her name at the top. The date and a few notes. History of child abuse, neglect, injecting drug use. I tapped the pen on the paper, smoothing the furrow in my brow before it could form. She looked at me through her rusted curls. Defiant, practised eyes. Delusions of grandeur? I wrote. Delusions at the very least.
By Joanna Savage Coleman5 years ago in Criminal
A SMALL TOWN'S HORROR!
Violence comes, like a dark shadowy cloud, bringing with it the stench of death amid public outcries. That's the headline of the story of a little town in Illinois. While the seedier underbelly of the town is something most of us are all too familiar with, what followed the disaster that was the year 2020, has to be the worst start off to a new year the citizens of Galesburg Illinois have endured. This is the true story of how my hometown started off in 2021.
By Jason Ray Morton 5 years ago in Criminal
The Courier
This little black book, sealed from my eyes, has become the bane of my existence. It taunts me. Haunts me. Having it in my possession has changed everything. Twenty-grand had been offered for its safe return. It should have been a simple courier job.
By Adam K. Ogden5 years ago in Criminal
1964
Sometimes it just clicks. Recovering this airplane for my client is now a must. That was my motivation for sneaking into the Los Angeles Airport. Once inside, I was able to slip past airport security finding my client’s plane, a 1963 Dassault Falcon 20 sitting pretty on the tarmac. This plane is sleek. Let’s see how she flies.
By Kevin Charlton5 years ago in Criminal
A Blessing or a Curse
If there were a way to inherit the life savings of any person in return for their name and their life, would you take it? Guilt, depression, and resentment were permanent residents in Astra’s mind. Her lifestyle was one of luxury, shouldn’t she be happy? Yet the voices would always remind her of what she had done. She knew the book had caused this fate, but would its destruction reverse its effects? Unlikely. Her mind would remain clouded in misery for life, and she knew it. With one last name in the book, her unfortunate existence was cut short and her misery, ended.
By Kayla Egan5 years ago in Criminal
Contract #87
It all started with an unpleasant surprise. Sure, most of you would call an unmarked envelope with twenty grand of sweet smelly cash in it everything but unpleasant - but honestly, it freaked me out on the spot. Right there, sipping my morning coffee and preparing for another busy day, this envelope in my postbox was among the worst things that could happen.
By Ivan Ertlov5 years ago in Criminal
Tony Little Bottles
My name is Tony Viles, they call me Little Bottles. My job usually consists of hanging out with the boys drinking beer and messing with the ladies. Now imagine my surprise when I get a message that the boss wants to see me. I haven’t done anything wrong that I know of. So, I’m a bit anxious to meet him. My time in the mob has been truly uneventful seeing as how I’ve only been involved a year. I just turned 19 but I look 25.
By Kevin Miller5 years ago in Criminal
