fiction
Mystery, crime, murder, unsolved cases. Contribute your own tales of crime to Criminal.
Innerwhelmed
Vernon Peele’s dress shirt smelled like a clogged shower drain. The clip on his ID badge stabbed Gabi’s shoulder as he drew her close, his mouth forming private words she couldn’t comprehend and didn’t want to. When she released herself from the squeeze, he thanked her, told her he’d needed that, reminded her for the umpteenth time about his supposedly unique and urgent need.
By Gina Yates5 years ago in Criminal
Storming The Castle
My partner Chris and I stood at the edge of the moonlight, looking out at Osaka Castle from the dense bamboo brush. Once a former tourist trap, the reconstructed fortress was recently bought by one Takeda Hideyoshi, some eccentric tech mogul who thought it would be neat to live in a landmark. The would-be shogun lusted after Japanese history—apparently, he had halls upon halls filled to the brim with armor pieces, paintings, perhaps even a sacred treasure. Necklaces are nifty, but Chris and I had our eyes set on something with a little more kick—the weapons.
By Grayson Baker5 years ago in Criminal
The Penitent Man
1 The land was dry and flat with nothing but red dirt for miles round. It was that hard pan desert dirt that bakes into a sort of crust and then cracks into perfectly symmetrical patterns like shingles. The sand, carried on the unpleasantly hot wind, piled up in drifts and found its way into everything, into his teeth which were gritty and tobacco stained, into his clothing dark with sweat, even into his water skin which was now half empty.
By Jacob Elliot5 years ago in Criminal
Home Sweet Home
Alex pushed open the darkwood door of 29 Main street and looked around the empty room. There was dust sitting on the air in a spacious living room, catching the mirky sunlight. He placed his suitase, all of his belongings, in the middle of the hallway and paced around the empty house. The large wooden staircase wound away from him and up to the second floor. Alone in his new home, Alex felt for the first time a sense of settledness, he felt his anxiety lift.
By Oriele Anderson5 years ago in Criminal
As the Crow Flies
The swift murder of crows made its way south chasing a determined cloud. From below, an object shimmered and the group swirled to investigate, one screaming to alert the others. Like a funnel in a snowstorm they descended toward the object, purposely missing a great horned owl rising from the prize she’d already won. The huntress powered through the crowd with a small creature draped limply in its talons. The crows formed an attack frenzy, screaming and cawing like a room full of auctioneers, darting this way and that, up and down. The owl sniggered as it flew away, only bothered by the incessant noise that broke its reverent early morning silence. Before sunrise, three fluffy owlets would eat.
By Marisa Keller5 years ago in Criminal
One Last Job
“One more job Cecily. That’s all we’re asking for.” “Jarrod, that’s what you said about the job two jobs ago.” “What can I say, you’re the best we have and we hate to lose you.” Jarrod sighed heavily “..but I mean it this time. It will be your last. There’s a lot at stake here and this is more of a favor than a job.”
By Crystal Hollembaek5 years ago in Criminal
Sawyer
Gaius Finn’s alarm was blaring and loud, demanding his attention at the unholy hour of 6:17am. He didn’t even bother trying to open his eyes, haphazardly slapping his nightstand as he tried to find the snooze button. Just five more minutes was all he needed, then he would get up and go to work. Mind-numbing, soul-destroying, number-crunching work.
By A.N.G. Reynolds5 years ago in Criminal
