http://slow.writerscafe.org/smoothcriminal The original writings of author Smooth Criminal en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776029493 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 The silence lingered. I realized I was jutting my head out in an odd angle, felt the growing discomfort, and settled back onto my backpack. I sniffed to catch the breath of alcohol, but even the wet smell of my soaked bag had disappeared now. The air was clear.The old man had been the culprit, after.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/2484195/ The whispers were still sizzling when the TTR entered our compartment and asked around for the ID proofs. The man stood next to me, and his perfume kicked back the stench for a while. I produced my voter Id. I could have sworn I saw a look of distaste flit across the official’s face when he co.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/2484190/ I knew all the occupants of my compartment would examine me as curiously as they had done the first time I entered, more so now, for there remained the obvious reason to wonder why I took my backpack wherever I went. I avoided their eyes purposefully, wasted no time in swinging off my backpack and d.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/2484185/ The rocking motion of the compartment felt more pronounced within the confines of the bathroom. With a sigh borne of some relief and much trepidation, I held my backpack away from my body as if it were a pair of stinking socks and examined the damage on my trousers.The stain was not immediately noti.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/2484183/ The first of them had happened four days back. It involved a half full bottle of Royal Challenge ‘half’ I had managed to scavenge from a stopgap birthday party we had thrown last Sunday.Our rented home in Chennai included four other occupants apart from me, and none of us were well-off e.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/2484182/ A shocking stench of urine welcomed me in. I felt the throb of my injured toe and the slick texture of blood where the skin touched my sandal. Bracing against the wall just inside the door, I lifted my right leg cautiously to inspect the damage. It looked messier than I had expected. The nail over t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/2484178/ I tottered towards the track that lay beyond the first platform and surveyed its length. On one side, in the distance, hung the illuminated walkway bridge, and on the other, a near complete darkness. 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His hands were clenched.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/1482785/ A few words before the story http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/1482784/ What if a group of friends opened Pandora's box accidentally and had to shut it down before things got nasty? What if things getting nasty meant the end of the most powerful nation in the planet? http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/1482782/ 22nd September2014, 05.00 P.M.Chennai. Once-a-Ben “I don’tunderstand why you get us back to square one all over again, Sathish.” “You couldjust bring it up to your parents Anu, couldn’t you?” “I c.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/1452625/ 20th September2012, 06.00 P.M.Trichy. Ben Her phone comes to life for whatseems to be the hundredth time. I search into it as anxiously as she. Nomessages. No calls missed. It is not the phone’sfault, after all. She whimperssoftly. 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Madurai. Tee-to-be “- he pretend to call a wrong number?” It takes me awhile to understand we are no longer connected. The call has ended, I see withdismay. I find myself fuming about having been cut off unceremon.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/1452537/ 18thJune 2010, 12.30 A.M. Trichy. Ben-to-be The call comesnot long after I have folded up my labours for the day and settled myself foranother routine night. I am startled awake. Through the gloomof the night, and even murkier shadows of my vision, .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/smoothcriminal/1452532/ This tale is not narrated by its lead characters in English. Theiraccounts are transliterated to English for the reader’s benefit. Their nativelanguage is of obscure origin, beyond the scope of this story. 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