IAIN KELLY

THE NINE

Rosa Maria watched Alejandro throw open the shutters.

On the corner of Calle 9 and Avenue 5, they were open for business. Alejandro looked at his madre.

This time he would make her proud. Her husband murdered, they had fled from Tijuana. Rosa Maria had scraped together what she could until she had enough to open the small restaurant.

La Nueve‘ for the street, but also la nuevo for the new start, Alejandro,’ she kissed him and headed inside. Alejandro had never seen her happier.

Across the street sat a white pickup. Inside sat two men. Their shoulders and arms were covered in the markings of the Tijuana cartel. One of the men spoke into a ‘phone.

‘We’ve found them. What do you want us to do?’ A voice spoke two words and hung up. The man with the ‘phone nodded to the other man. They got out of the pickup and started walking towards ‘La Nueve.’


Written for ‘What Pegman Saw’, a weekly prompt based on a view from Google Maps. The idea is to write a piece of fiction of around 150 words based on the prompt. Full details can be found HERE. This week we’re in Mexico City.

Note: nueve = nine; nuevo = new.

For more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

22 responses to “THE NINE”

  1. shehannemoore Avatar

    Ve-ery powerful Iain. Well done

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Shehanne

      Liked by 1 person

  2. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    Excellent. The cartel did indeed cast a long shadow, though my Mexican friends make fun of me for my cartel-centric view. Too many episodes of Narcos, maybe.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I agree, I think the problem is outside of Mexico those are the only stories we hear on TV, films (Sicario is excellent) and in books.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. joyroses13 Avatar

    OH NO! You can’t leave us hanging like that. 🙂
    Great story, tugged at the emotions.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Joy. I’ve still to decide what happens next…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. joyroses13 Avatar

        Rosa Maria comes out of the restaurant and blows them away ! There you go… LOL!

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        That’s one possible ending definitely! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  4. jellico84 Avatar
    jellico84

    Powerful. Well written.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. pamelascanepa Avatar

    Oh, Lord! That’s very intense. It begs for a sequel!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Pamela, not sure I would want to write what would happen next!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. k rawson Avatar

    Oh no, so hopeful and then such a dark turn. Great story, as always Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, much appreciated. I couldn’t just let them be happy ever after!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. James Avatar

    Freedom was short lived.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Unfortunately so.

      Like

  8. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    This was so full of hope then BAM! Well done. (I’m on Rosa’s side – I hope she has a little something up her sleeve. Maybe Santisma Muerte!)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      True, we could combine our stories and come up with a happy ending!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Ian,

    This doesn’t bode well for them. Well written.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

  10. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    If you hear what happened next please let us know. Excellent Iain.

    Click to visit Keith’s Ramblings!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith

      Like

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