fiction
Mystery, crime, murder, unsolved cases. Contribute your own tales of crime to Criminal.
Chasm
My bed shakes the way mom would shake the end of the bed to wake us up for school. Then the shaking gets more intense and I realize I’m twenty-seven and I don’t have school anymore. It’s the middle of the night. I wake up in a jolt. It’s an earthquake. What are you supposed to do during an earthquake when you're barely awake? I yank the quilt off of me and head to the door, hoping to find my dad. We find ourselves in the hallway at the same time. We look at each other through bleary eyes and hang on to our door frames. The sound of glass, metal, trees and concrete breaking, is all I can hear now.
By Eddamar González5 years ago in Criminal
Hope
“My baby, where is my baby?” Maddie’s voice cracked with horror. The first time mother opened the little pink blanket and saw a stack of money, where her baby should have been. Underneath the twenty thousand dollars? A note with an all too familiar address. It’s her first day home from the hospital. She must have just dozed off for a little while, long enough for a break-in, apparently.
By Samantha Kressevich5 years ago in Criminal
The Little Black Book
It was a hot and sultry July afternoon in 1985. I had been walking in the heat in and out of thrift stores in search of something different to add to my antique collection. As I walked through the door, I could feel the stores stale AC hit my sweat dripping face when I man in worn clothing came running towards me to the door, bumping me and pushing me aside into the box of umbrellas. As I began to get my balance, two other men in Dormeuil Vanquish Suits stormed past me pushing back into the same box of umbrellas. I could not help but notice the flash of their Rolex watches and alligator shoes. They certainly did not fit the usual thrifters. As I stood up and watched them leave, I could not help but noticed not only were they wearing identical suits, but they also appeared to be twins. At that moment both turned and made eye contact with me. I must admit I felt a bit apprehensive when they pressured themselves into my space asking if I saw where the man went. The sweat that had begun to dry from the AC began to bead again on my forehead and it was not from the July heat. I swallowed what little spit I had in my dry mouth as I pointed in the direction, I saw the man run and they left my side.
By JT Thompson5 years ago in Criminal
A Commuter
Damn it I'm running late, yet again, to catch my last bus. I usually don't mind catching it, but on a cold damp night it's not the best. I dash down the block past two guys drinking beer and talking sports. Almost there. I turn another corner and see my bus only a few yards away.
By Gabriella Duncan5 years ago in Criminal
Bag Number 5
“Where did you get this” Tasha ask ? “You won’t believe this” says David, closing the paper bag , at the same time peeping through the window shades. I had just left the interview for the waitstaff job at the hotel, and as soon as I get on the elevator, along with 5 other applicants, “wait David,” says Tasha. What does this have to do with this bag. “If you let me finish I will explain”David yells. Now like I was saying, as the elevator starts going down, it just suddenly goes dark and stops. Everyone starts freaking out, especially me, because you more than anyone else knows that I’m super claustrophobic. David will you just tell me what happened. And besides that , what does this have to do with this bag? David grabs her and tells her “to please be quiet and listen.” Alright David ,but I’m warning you, this Better be legit. It is , “trust me” says David , “can I finish my story now?” “Go ahead” says Tasha. As I was saying, it was pitch black in there , so we all put our cell phone flashlights on so we could see. Not even a minute later, the lights come on and the elevator starts working again. “Crazy right” says David. Here’s where it starts getting strange. There are six of us on the elevator, so the elevator stops, now the one person who wasn’t there for the interview gets off. As the elevator starts going down, one of the other applicants tells us that the person who got off , left five paper bags behind. We all just look at each other confused as hell. I told them how I found that odd, that there are five paper bags, and five of us. They all agreed. I stated that “I don’t know about their intentions, but I’m taking one of the bags.” One of the guys says “there’s something not right about this,”I ask him “what does he mean by that?” He states “it’s something just not right.” I tell him “to think about it,” “six of us got on the elevator, and one of us got off , the one who got off didn’t come here for a job interview.” “What are you saying”another person ask? I tell them that the guy more than likely, left it for us on purpose. One lady says “no that’s not it , we don’t know what’s in those bags, and besides, that’s strange and creepy.” “Ok ,” I tell her, “but as strange and creepy as it may be , I’m taking one those bags.” “Alright” says another lady, “but I’m telling security as soon as we get to the lobby.” “I think it’s something bad in those bags, and I’m not touching them.” Of course everyone agreed except me, so I grabbed one ,but I wasn’t going to open it up until I left the hotel. As we reached the lobby, all of them started calling for security. As security approached, I calmly eased away and walked right out of the hotel. One block from the hotel I boarded a bus. While on the bus I started to panic because I didn’t know what was in the bag. I know that if it was something dangerous, I definitely didn’t want anyone getting hurt. At the next stop I got off . I started walking to the nearby Park. I wanted to find a large empty space so that if it was something dangerous , the only person that would get hurt would be me. I found the perfect spot. Now my heart is beating at what seems like a thousand beats per second. I slowly unfold the bag, and boom, there it is , four stacks, five thousand per stack, 20,000 dollars. I fell to my knees. Just as soon as I fell to my knees, I got up and started to walk away in a hurry. I saw two guys approaching me. Now whether they were a threat or not , or just paranoia setting in, I didn’t care. I was out of there. As I was walking, this cop pulls up out of the blue. The first thing he does is ask me “why was I walking so fast?” I told him “I just needed to get home because I had something important to do.” He asked me “if I was sure of that,” and asked “what was in my bag?” I had to hold it together because now I’m nervous as hell. “What did you tell him”Tasha asked? I told him “that it was personal items for my girlfriend,” and he just stared at me. It’s just funny. “What do you mean” ask Tasha? It’s like he was getting some kind of sick kick out of watching me panic. Anyway he tells me to be safe, and he left. I tell you Tasha , after that, I got here as fast as I could. So now you know where I got this. Tasha grabs the bag of money, and says “this money can help us out so much, but we can’t keep it.” “You know what Tasha , I thought about that , but look at how I got this” David says. I told you everything that happened. What’s the chances of six people getting on an elevator, then one gets off, and leaves five bags ,and presumably all five bags had 20,000 dollars in them. That’s fate, come on Tasha , just think about it. That’s not a coincidence and you know it. “Whatever it is David ,we can’t keep it”, says Tasha. We are struggling Tasha , I know right is right and wrong is wrong, but come on . Grabbing the money out of the bag and holding it in his hand ,David says “this kind of money doesn’t fall into your lap every day.” David walks around and says, “hell this kind of luck never happens to me ever, until now.” “I know”says Tasha, somewhat agreeing with David. As David puts the money back in the bag he feels something. “David what’s wrong” Tasha ask? There’s something else in this bag. I was just so enamored with the money I forgot to check for anything else. “Well what else is in there” ask Tasha?” It’s a small black notebook “A small black notebook”ask Tasha ? “Yes”says David. “What does it say inside”ask Tasha? “Well it’s only two pages in this thing”says David. It says finders keepers losers weepers. David laughs out loud joyously, ok I guess there saying this money is mine. “What does the second page say”ask Tasha? It says, to the person who has this 20,000 dollars , all I want in return, is that you bring this small black notebook to the following address, and just put it in the mailbox. After doing so, the money is yours to keep, no questions asked. “Is that all it says”ask Tasha? Yea and it has the address written on the bottom of the page. “Well, what do we do”ask David ? “If we keep the money, and I’m pretty sure they know we have it, we will probably be looking over our shoulders forever”says Tasha. “Ok let’s just go buy a car and have a little fun with some of this money”suggests David . “No , let’s just go and get this over with”says Tasha .”Yea , you’re right.” “I am tired of looking over my shoulder anyway”David says. “Tasha, call a cab and let’s go now.” “It’s on it’s way”,Tasha yells out to David from the bedroom. As the cab approaches the address on the little black notebook. Something seems weird. David and Tasha notice a tv crew and people with smiles, flowers ,and balloons ,like they are having a celebration of some sort. Hello and welcome . A familiar looking man opens the cab door for David and Tasha. “ Are you David?” “Yes that’s me”says David. And who might this pretty lady be? I’m Tasha. Well nice to meet you ,“I’m Brian, and I’m the host of a new tv show”, “hold on wait a minute,”David stops him,“ you are the guy who interviewed me for the waitstaff job today at the hotel.” “Hold on, these are the people in the elevator and at the hotel”David says confusingly. “Hey what’s going on?” David ask smiling. Well David you are the big winner on our new reality game show. The big prize is 20,000 dollars. David and Tasha scream “yes”simultaneously. On this episode ,there were hidden cameras everywhere ,and we followed your every step. You had to complete every task in order to win. You had to take the money, leave the building, open the bag in a safe location , not spend any of the money , read the contents in the small black notebook , and bring it all back to this address. David you did them all. So David my friend , you are the big winner. Everyone , give David a round of applause . Everyone starts clapping and cheering for David “Thank you ,thank you so much”says David . Brian, I have a question , “What’s the name of the show,” Tasha asked? The show is called “Finders Keepers Losers Weepers.” So David, by finding the bag with 20,000 dollars , and following the instructions written in the small black notebook, you are the big winner on this show. Now David , let’s say it together. Brian puts his arm around David’s shoulders and they both shout out , “Finders Keepers Losers Weepers”. “Wow”says David ,this is fantastic! Oh and David , one more thing Brian pauses, and says “if you believe that, then you’re A Damn Fool”. “What”screams David . “I’m detective Brian Eason, and you’re under arrest for five outstanding warrants in the state of Maryland, along with theft, and other charges.”“Read him his rights and take him away.” As Tasha stands crying , and David is driven away, Detective Brian smiles at his undercover special task force , and looks into the camera , and says. “20,000 dollars and a small black notebook will catch a criminal every time.” Goodnight folks , and see you next time on , Finders Keepers Losers Weepers. As the police car carrying David drives by, he mouths something to Tasha and she slyly grins. Detective Brian looks at her and ask “what did he say?” “Don’t worry about it”says Tasha, because like you said, “Finders keepers losers weepers.”
By Jerry Davis5 years ago in Criminal
Guilty Notes: A Hitman's Tale
As Tommy turned the corner, he realized he was being followed. Security had been heightened for a few days anyway, but that was because some of Don Giovanti’s men were being targeted by rival gangs and smaller factions trying to create a reputation for themselves. Even though he refused to be associated with this group of men, he knew well enough to stay away; as far away as possible, but even now he knew that was going to be impossible. When Giovanti wanted to see you, he would have you brought to him one way or another.
By Amanda Castelli5 years ago in Criminal
Rush Of Blood To The Head
Everything started with the damn notebook, I bought it…No, let me be honest for once, I lie too much anyways. Lying has become such an essential part of my life. I am not even sure how or why, but it has, slowly and deliberately, bit by bit lies enveloped, engulfed every aspect of my being till there was nothing else left, only lies. I see it so vividly now. It all seemed innocent and simple at first, it seemed nothing at all. I didn’t have any nefarious reasons or plans to lie, all I wanted was to look better, to make others want me, appreciate me, love me after all. It never occurred to me that I could be loved, appreciated or accepted the way I was, I absolutely had to pretend and one would lead to the other, like a web. I would tell stories about who and what I was to intrigue people, make them curious about me. Truth was too simple, too mundane. The truth was that I was a thief, a lier, a fucking whore, but I needed to seem, I needed to be something better, lies were small price to pay. If I couldn’t become a worthy human being in reality, at least I could be that in the eyes of others, for a minute, an hour, a few days.
By Oksana Dolna5 years ago in Criminal
The Wall of Love & Good Fortune
It was my last day, and it was time. Thirty years on the force, eighteen as the robbery unit's lead detective. I dedicated my life to this job and the community I serve, but my tacklebox was ready, and I could hear the loons calling over the glass-calm misty morning water. Is there a prettier sound? If so, I haven’t heard it.
By Miss Charlotte5 years ago in Criminal
Bulldog Chronicles
Some days I wonder about the celestial events that bring us all together. The things beyond the monetary value of existence. Lone rover landing on Mars. Acquisition of objects that without memory mean nothing. The shells of old love collected on the beach, which now serve as ashtrays. Or the juggling balls gifted for Christmas; which you never learned to juggle, but cherish because grandma remembered you always wanted to be in the circus.
By Calla Kennedy5 years ago in Criminal
