Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
This week’s hand-warming photo is provided by Anshu Bhojnagarwala.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Anshu Bhojnagarwala
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Blaze
A pall of black smoke hangs over the port.
The chandler’s shop is ablaze, as is the restaurant beside it.
I stand behind the red and white tape, exchanging theories with Portuguese Tony.
He knows everyone in town.
He is trading information with people on all sides.
Neither he nor his contacts know what happened here today.
I do.
I know who set the fire.
I know that when they find the body there will be confusion.
I don’t know how much, or for how long.
I am unsure just what flames can disguise.
Will they know she was strangled?
How does he know.? Is he a witness, or the guilty party?
Short snappy sentences, lots of detail, questions unanswered, all give us a good story. Well written – loved it
gramswisewords.blogspot.com
Thank you for your kind words, Mrs Green, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Great details. Brilliant.
Thank you, I am happy you enjoyed it
Portuguese Tony, so as to distinguish him from Italian Tony?
Who in the name of the wee man is Italian Tony?
Well, I don’t know him personally..
The calm, unconcerned telling of this gives it just the right atmosphere. I really enjoyed it.
Happy you did, Michael, thank you
I was not surprised that the narrator would know. Actually I suspect he frequently knows more than Portuguese Tony, but he doesn’t share. Setting all of those buildings on fire though…that might have been overkill. hahahaha. 😀
You sussed it, Sascha, Tony ain’t the slickest sardine in the shoal!
And the fire wasn’t all my fault, the Mistral arrived and spread the flames out of control.
(And I like ‘overkill’!)
I had to look up Mistral. What a wonderful word, and I’ll take your word for it that it was to blame. 🙂
My sweet Sascha, would I ever lie to you?
lol
I love your details in this dark tale, C – the chandler, the restaurant, ‘Portuguese Tony’ (who wouldn’t love a character called that?). They all add texture to this creepy piece. I wonder if your narrator will be caught? Lovely writing
Glad you enjoyed, Lynn, but beware, Portuguese Tony has an eye for the ladies!
Thank you for very kind words.
Always my pleasure C. But tell Tony to keep his hands to himself! 🙂
I will defend your honour with my life, dear Lynn!
Thank you sir 🙂
Enticing hints of a bigger story here – I’m betting this girl isn’t the first he’s eliminated. And I’m intrigued by Portuguese Tony. Fabulous.
Margaret, are you suggesting that my chap here is a bit naughty?
And yes, Portuguese Tony is an interesting dude.
Whoa, creepy!
I like ‘Whoa, creepy!’, thank you, Lisa
Awesome read!!
Gone with the Fire
Hi, and thank you for visiting, your comment went to my Spam.
Happy you enjoyed, ma’am.
I doubt the authorities will suspect foul play. They’re not any brighter than Tony.
Next time just give the girl a knock-out drug and let the fire kill her. Then there’d be less to worry about.
Jings, Russell, do I look like the kind of guy who wanders around with pockets full of knock-out drugs?
My fingers, however, are always handy!
💟🧢
Merci, madame
Oooooooh. creepy 🙂
Oooooh, cool!
Once again we are in the dubious position of being your character’s confessors. I wonder how your character will manage to get away with it, although clearly, Firewill hide a number of sins.
Laughing.
I hadn’t thought of it that way.
Tune in next week to see who gets away with what!
I’ve heard it said, the guilty returns to the scene of the crime. A little bit edgy maybe or just curious. An entertaining, expertly woven, tale! =)
You are too kind, Brenda, thank you.
And it’s a small town, easy to look in to see what is burning.
Great atmosphere and voice. If she’s unimportant enough he may just get away with it. I think they can detect if smoke was inhaled. But I’m not sure.
Thank you, but unimportant? Surely not!
As to detection, it might depend on whether she is ‘bien cuite’!
Just the thought makes me nauseous. 🙂
From your well crafted, but dark stories, one can only surmise that your velvety voice hides the potential for something more sinister. As always, well done, C.E.
‘Velvety voice’ makes me laugh, Dawn, thank you for that.
But you are right, there is always something more sinister lurking in the darkness behind…
Intriguing. I so love this group of writers, and often imagine how much fun it would be to sit down with a good cup of coffee, or a glass of wine, and share stories. Hearing your voices only makes it more compelling.
Light and dark. Hmmmm.
Sinister!
Thank you, sinister is good!
Ah, the killer knows what happened. Now he is eager to find out more. From a charred body it may be difficult to find out strangulation marks.
Here’s hoping, sir!
He can always strangle the Forensics team too 🙂
Laughing.
Comment of the day!
Ew, another murderer hoping to get away with it — I hope they catch him! Perhaps Portuguese Tony knows more than he’s letting on.
Tony knows nuttin’, Joy.
And they’ll never take me alive, I tell you, never!
He’s better hope so! I’m betting on Tony, myself. 😉
Portuguese Tony – what a clever name! Enjoyable and a very clever story! Well done!
Not so clever, he’s from Portugal and his name is Tony…
But happy you enjoyed, Nan
Oy! 🙁
Hmm, thanks, I think…
hmmmm … yeah, I think … 😉
It was well done … just oy-vey in the outcome …
Oooh that’s good, I love Portuguese Tony, I reckon he’s not cleaner than clean either
He is a strange dude, for sure
This really makes me want to read more, the suspense is superb
Thank you, Gisselle, very kind
You will be found out I think… you should take down Tony too… he knows more than he tells.
Bjorn, I am shocked!
Are you inciting me to murder here?
You had me wondering why she had to die, I guess we will never know
Overcooked the lamb, Michael.
Superb writing. I wonder what goes on in your head.
Thank you, Indira.
My mother once described me as having a head full of broken bottles.
Does that help?
Super write, CE! You give plenty of specific details that both make the scene vivid and add verisimilitude to the narrative. I’m with Rochelle – one of your best stories yet!
Thank you, Penny, you have made my day!
He hasn’t got long – they will work it out.
Nah, totally unconcerned here!
An anxious few days lay ahead. I won’t tell.
Do you speak Portuguese, Keith?
Oh querida, acho que você me descobriu!
Rindo!
Portuguese Tony… a masterful touch. If anyone has the inside track a man with name like that will have it. Your narrator would do well to keep in touch. Good one.
He is better known here as Tony Casquette, but I thought I’d leave him some anonymity!
Dear C.E.
One of your finest murders to date.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, m’lady, very kind
He strangled her & then set fire to cover up his murder.
There is a Hindi movie in which this takes place. The police later discover that he is the killer as her ghost comes to testify the murder. They find her skeleton beneath the chandelier…
I feel karma catches up and people will get punished for their wrong doings.
Well expressed.
The Night of Bonfire – Anita
Think I should sue them for stealing my plot?
A mystery – good one!
Thank you, Jennifer
I love the name Portuguese Tony – I could instantly see him. Best to keep on his nice side, I imagine.
He is actually a sweet guy, Jilly.
And I wonder how your image fits the reality.
I’m with Iain. If Portuguese Tony can play both ends against the middle he’s no dummy. Excellent write CE.
Tony is really just a gossip, won’t put it together.
If he knows what’s good for him…
He does go over the top to cover up one teensy murder, eh?
Just a wee conflagration, no big deal
Tight tale, complete with misdirection and a not quite finished business…
Good stuff.
Yeah, Tony might have to go swim with da fishes
Portuguese Tony will figure it out eventually, of this I am sure. And then what price to keep his secret safe?
Nah, Tony ain’t too bright, in truth
For some reason I was really tickled by the chandler’s shop
Happy to tickle, Neil, metaphorically, of course