My theme for this year’s Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is Crime Stories in 55 Words. Today’s story, A is for Arson…
![55 Fiction[3]](https://shilpaagarg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/55-Fiction3.png "55 Fiction[3]")
Smoke billowed into the air, and debris littered the lawn.
The fire-fighters were taming the flames which were engulfing my house from all sides, as my neighbors and I looked on with disbelief and shock.
A veiled look of panic crossed my face when the officer asked, “Why there isn’t any furniture in your house?”
Image Courtesy : Pixabay
131 Responses
Ok, that has left me with questions! Intriguing one. All the best for the challenge and do tell me why? :p
Glad that you found this intriguing! Reasons… could be many!
One could be he deliberately set fire to his house to claim fire insurance!
Thanks Anmol and good luck to you too for this A to Z Challenge!
Haha…amateur arsonist! Great start Shilpa.
You bet! Thanks Sanch!
Scandalous!
Love your theme, Shilpa. What an exciting start to the A to Z Challenge. Keep ’em coming
Thank you, ME. Glad you liked the theme and this story! 🙂
Well, you were first out the house Shilpa for sure! It’ll be several hours before my ‘A’ post goes up!
I am looking forward to read your posts, Susan 🙂
That was a brilliant start 🙂 Way to go Shilpa 🙂
Thank you, Swathi. Loved your take on various Arts too 🙂
Brilliant – Definitely left me wanting more!
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie! Glad you liked this attempt!
And she begins with a spark! What a spark to be sure. You are going to ace this A to Z 🙂 Fabulous arson story, Shilpa!
Thank you for kind words, Shaialja. I am hoping so too!
Loved your story with a fab twist too 🙂
Aha The Queen of 55er.This one ain’t getting any insurance money for sure.
Not a single penny for him from the insurance guys, for sure!
Thanks a lot, Rachna. You are generous! 🙂
For a crime fiction, this one has great tongue in cheek humour!!! Brilliant.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s tale!
Glad you liked this 55 Fiction, Shalini 🙂
Interesting! Well, at least they caught him. Such a perfect start Shilpa!
They are smart guys, indeed!! Thanks Parul 🙂
Ah ha.. why did he have in mind? I may go with Rachna ‘s comment… If its for insurance he surely isnt getting amything….
Yes, claiming insurance money was on his mind!!
Shilpa you are the queen of the 55s. Trying to cheat is a silly thing to do. Nicely written.
Well said. You can go a long way on the path of cheating and fraud! Thanks Suzy!
lovely tale with a twist !
Thank you, Pooja 🙂
Now that’s an interesting twist! And in 55 words – kudos!
Thank you, Shinjini 🙂
Fraudulent fire insurance claim? 😀
Yesss… that failed! 🙂
Yes! Well done. Perfect punch line, Shilpa! Caught eh? What a great beginning for a story!
Thank you so much, Vidya!
Loved your today’s post 🙂
Looks like she didn’t get away with it. 🙂 This is a fun theme. Looking forward to reading more.
No, she/he didnt get away with it!!
Thanks Debbie. Looking forward to your visits here and I must tell you that I enjoyed reading your boarding school memories 🙂
Your theme seems quite difficult!
I like the first story (and I learned the word arson!
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Name: Eva
Blog: Mail Adventures
#AtoZ Challenge Theme: Postcards
Letter A: Adventurers. Because any postcard is a little adventure, isn’t it?
Yes, it is a bit challenging but I love it 🙂
You have an interesting theme, Eva. Liked your postcard on Wright Brothers today 🙂
Hmm! This post made me a Watson to your Sherlock! I am currently in a detective mystery fiction stage, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to be hooked to all your posts. 😉
A brilliant start to April, indeed. 🙂
I have been reading thrillers and mysteries off late and hence the inspiration for this theme. Thank you, Mithila. Glad you liked this story!
Oh I love crime stories. And this is an amazing start! Keep ’em coming!
Thank you, Ramya! Glad you liked this fist story in this series!
Intrigue, panic and caught in just 55 words! love the theme & the story. Adding you to my everyday visit list
Thanks for dropping by Namratha and glad that you liked this piece of writing. 🙂
Loved your cousins artworks on mental health! Kudos to her!
Aha! Brilliant twist and tale, Shilpa. Looking forward to the others.
Thank you, Soumya and I am looking forward to your take on various books this April 🙂
You’re back with your witty stories, Shilpa! This is going to be fun. 🙂
Yes, am glad to be back at this space. Thanks Vinodini and loved your today’s letter on taming anger! Very relevant!
Clever idea. But tough to tell a tale in 55 words! I know some people can’t even tell the story over an hour!!!! Look forward to other blood curdling stories ….
Yes, weaving a tale in 55 words is challenging but I love to challenge myself in this way. Thank you, Sunita and looking forward to see you here and read your fascinating tales on textiles from A to Z too 🙂
Really nice take off towards crime fiction . Waiting here as a eager beaver to read your full story.
My wishes to you
Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to read this 55 Fiction. Thanks for your good wishes and good luck to you too 🙂
Aha! And therein lies the plot twist.
Glad you liked this twist in the tale, Kalpanaa 🙂
Interesting theme … Is it just insurance or something more sinister i wonder
I guess, insurance 🙂
Good to see you participating for this year’s A to Z, Jayashree 🙂
woaa that is very very suspicious!! what an ending!!! Loved it.
Glad you liked this attempt, Raj! Thanks 🙂
Crime 55-ers look like a great idea! You are a master of twists!! Loved it!
Thank you, Shubhangi. Glad you liked the theme and today’s 55er too.
Loved your advice on dealing with argumentative people!
I am so happy you are back with 55ers! Loved this! Great start! 🙂
I am glad to be back too, Aditi! Thanks for your support.
Loved your take on Hanuman’s birth story! Very beautifully done!
Well, that didn’t work! Great little story.
Click HERE to read my 200-word tale
Yes, it didnt! Serves him right, though 😀
Thanks, Keith. Loved meeting Arthur at your space today 🙂
So super duper happy you’re participating in the challenge! It’s been while I’ve read you!
And this 55Fictioneer is perfect comeback!!
Cheers
I am glad to be doing this challenge with you too, Geetika.
Thank you for your kind words and looking forward to read you too, this April. Cheers 🙂
Ooooooh, love this!
Great start to the challenge! Im excited to follow along 🙂
Believe In Fairy Stories – Theme – Folklore & Fairy Tales
Thank you, Jodie. Hope I am able to manage the excitement till the very end. 🙂
And you start the challenge with a bang! Love your theme, Shilpa and this story is definitely intriguing! I thought somebody stole his furniture. Shheee.. Crap! I lack imagination 😛
😀 That made me laugh. That, or you just assume the best of people.
Isnt she a sweetheart, Holly? 😀
That’s some imagination, Shailini 😀
Thank you for the nudge, Shalini. Appreciate your mail back then! 🙂
And I looking forward to lots of mouth-watering recipes and travel tips! Cheers 🙂
The Queen of 55 fiction! Loved the ending.
Thank you, Sheethal. Glad you liked it 🙂
i look forward to reading your posts. 55 words…i’m impressed!
i’ll be posting mine later today. goodluck! Nancy at Lightheaded
Thanks for dropping by, Nancy. Appreciate it.
And am looking forward to know all about your mother 🙂
i look forward to reading your posts.
55 words…i’m impressed!
i’ll be posting my blog for AtoZ later today. goodluck! Nancy at Lightheaded
Thank you, Nancy. Good luck to you too 🙂
Oops! Poor planning. Congrats on jumping into the A to Z!
Yesss, after all he was not all that clever! Thanks Lee.
Wish you were joining in too!!
Loved the twist, despite the poor planning:)
Thanks Mayuri. Glad you liked this 55er 🙂
well, yes, why there aren’t furniture in the house? curious story. great start for the a-z challenge
have a lovely day.
May be was trying to act smart but was not so smart after all.
Thanks for dropping by, Lissa. Hope to see you around 🙂
A good start Shilpa! Loved your theme for the challenge! Waiting to read more of those stories. Best of luck!
Thanks Sheela for your kind words.
Glad that you are participating too this time. Looking forward to read your 55ers 🙂
And your A to Z begins with an explosion!
I love these intriguing tales written with so few words and end with the reader going “Ahhhhh, so that’s what that was.”
Thanks a lot, Sreesha. I am glad that you liked this attempt.
I loved your idea of sharing the story in snippets and then leaving it for the reader to interpret the complete story. Looking forward to read your stories 🙂
In those limited lines you say a lot, there is always hidden something and I so love reading you 🙂
Thanks a lot for your kind words, Shesha! You made my day ♥
Arent you participating in AtoZ this time?
Hahahahah!! Well done.
Just like your house. 😉
Thanks Holly! 🙂
Wow! The end was the beginning of too many questions.
Thank you, Manisha. Glad you liked this 55 Fiction.
Well, let me just tell you, that last sentence chilled me!
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir
Thank you Sarah. Good to see you here 🙂
Crime stories! My favourite! You are back in action with 55ers! Good luck!
Thank you, Nibha.
Loved your theme and I am looking forward to your snippets of love too.
Interesting question. I wonder what the answer is….
Arson!! 🙂
Furniture is expensive I guess, that he removed it before the arson! 😉 Loved the twist again!
LOL 😀 May be… who knows what goes on in a twisted mind.
Thank you, Vinay. Glad you enjoyed this 55er 🙂
Nicely done!
Thank you, Dahlia 🙂
Great twist to your piece!
Thanks Michelle.
I love crime stories Shilpa, waiting for more.
Hmmm….interesting!!!
Thanks Karishma!