Short Stories

Unknown Criminal

No one knows of her name, she appeared one day, alone. She never spoke, not even to say hello. She would simply nod at everything said to her.
"What's your name?"
"Where'd you come from?"
"Where are you going?"

She would nod even if it wasn't a yes or no question. She did not care about what people knew about her, for she was a thief. Yet she looked so innocent the crimes she did couldn't be traced to her, since everyone working the cases refused to think that a young girl like her was capable of the crimes. But the only way they could be traced to her, is when she appeared. About the time she came to town, the crimes started. There used to be little to no wrong-doing in the small ranch town, since there was almost nothing to steal. Horses and cattle, maybe, but everyone had them. But when she moved in, she had nothing, just the clothes she wore and a small backpack of essentials. Some water bottles, bags of food, a hand-crafted tent for shelter and a spare outfit. She never officially moved into a house, simply pitching her tent just outside of the town. The townspeople worried about her, she looked no older than 14. Yet she was well off on her own, she stole small things, watches, knives, anything that could be used or sold for some money. She had a whole system set up, keep some of the essential things, knives for protection, food for survival.

But one day the girl never left her tent, sending the whole town into a panicked frenzy. Even though they had their things stolen, they never noticed that she was the culprit. One towns person was brave enough to go to her tent to investigate, only finding the remains of the girl. She had died in her sleep, and a coyote was scavenging for food and found her. He left quite quickly, rushing to tell the town. The mayor heard of the story and told the town that even though they don't know her name, nor did she even live there, she was to be buried in the town cemetery. They obliged and set to work making her a beautiful coffin, digging an almost perfect grave, and prettying her up. Just like they did to all of the dead.

When it came time for her to be buried, the whole town showed up, all somber and zombie-like. None of them knew her, but it's always sad when someone dies, especially at a young age. Once she was buried, they all read the tombstone of her grave.

"Unknown girl
No one knew her, no one probably will, but we all loved her.
Unknown - April 28, 1989"

They left just as somberly as the came after reading it, she seemed to brighten up the town with her silent smile. No one even suspected her of the crimes that she did.