IAIN KELLY

THE COLLABORATOR

How ironic that he should use this car in order to blend in to the street life of Haifa.

When Elias had been a boy the sight of a Volkswagen would have turned heads. Not anymore.

The man crossed the street in front of the car. Elias glanced at the photograph to be sure. It was him. Thirty years older but there was no doubt.

Elias gunned the engine. The man turned. Realisation spread over his face. His past had finally caught up with him.

How apt that he should be killed by a German car, Elias thought as he floored the accelerator.

vw-in-israel-wmq
Copyright Kent Bonham

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

88 responses to “THE COLLABORATOR”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    A full and satisfying story in 100 words, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Neil, much appreciated.

      Like

      Reply
  2. Varad Avatar
    Varad

    Haha! Loved this one. I realized where this one was going after the third line and as expected the denouement was just spectacular. Cheers, Varad

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, very kind.

      Like

      Reply
  3. jacquelineobyikocha Avatar
    jacquelineobyikocha

    You create excitement and the need to know more with such few words.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    I think it might be ‘closure’ for both of them. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sandra

      Like

      Reply
  5. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    Good story. I like the irony as well, though it was BMW who made the tank and aircraft engines for the Nazis.

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    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks. Volkswagen produced military vehicles during the war for Germany too and their logo in the 1930s was the VW symbol surrounded by a swastika. Mercedes-Benz and a few others were also tainted by this. As far as I can tell (from very brief research) Israel initially did little trade, including cars, with Germany post-war, but by the 1970s this seemed to have thawed.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
        J Hardy Carroll

        You are right! They made tanks! I stand corrected. The whole concept was Hitler’s and Speer’s idea anyway.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    Now THAT’s poetic justice. 😀 Love it. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Rochelle, I’m glad it met your approval 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  7. neeltheauthor Avatar
    neeltheauthor

    Yes, closure, for sure What a complete story_- taut and crispy and served piping hot. Well done, Lian.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Neel

      Like

      Reply
  8. Jelli Avatar
    Jelli

    Karma definitely bit him in the —…. Good story.

    Like

    Reply
  9. Chris C. Avatar
    Chris C.

    Irony, indeed! Particularly enjoyed having the Nazi run over by the car of *that* particular model – and you didn’t even need to spell out who the victim was!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Chris, glad it all worked for you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Moon Avatar
    Moon

    What a Great story !

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Moon.

      Like

      Reply
  11. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    Nicely done Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Mike

      Like

      Reply
  12. Rowena Avatar
    Rowena

    What a great story and I liked how it linked back to the prompt. Well done.
    xx Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rowena, much appreciated.

      Like

      Reply
  13. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    BAM! Great story 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Annie Avatar
    Annie

    Oh, the irony. Great story, Iain 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Annie

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    Justice, action, perfect timing and a wham of an ending. Great story, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Gabi

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Simply brilliant Iain – I can say no more!

    Click to visit Keith’s Ramblings

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      that’s all you have to say Keith, thank you!

      Like

      Reply
  17. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Two stories for the price of one, and a lot of history thrown in. Great.

    Like

    Reply
  18. scr4pl80 Avatar
    scr4pl80

    Good story! I just finished reading a true story about a Jewish family torn apart by the Nazi’s (We Were the Lucky Ones) and I could easily see one of the main characters doing something like this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Janet, sounds like a good read.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Fluid Phrase Avatar
    Fluid Phrase

    It is amazing how much has been told in such little words. The story extends far beyond this. Very well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Many thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Sight11 Avatar
    Sight11

    A German(cough.. Nazi) killed by Made in Germany (cough.. Volkswagen) which ironically was the German(cough.. Nazi) pride.. Hmm.. Justice is served..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. A Writer's Beginning Avatar
    A Writer’s Beginning

    Ouch! Great story – there’s so much depth for only 100 words; you handle the limit so well! Thanks for sharing; I enjoyed the take 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  22. patrickprinsloo Avatar
    patrickprinsloo

    Sweet rev-enge. Hope he gets away with it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, I see what you did there 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  23. wmqcolby Avatar
    wmqcolby

    YES! Satisfaction guaranteed here, Iain! Nice story construction.

    But, how did he drive all the way to Haifa from Kansas …??? 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Maybe he needs that plate for his next assignment! Thanks for reading.

      Like

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      1. wmqcolby Avatar
        wmqcolby

        😉

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Nan Falkner Avatar
    Nan Falkner

    Ian, you are really good – This was a mystery and it makes the reader want to know more! Excellent piece. Nan

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Nan, what a lovely comment!

      Like

      Reply
  25. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    i hope he survived, brought to justice, and sentenced to death by hanging.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think his sentence to death has already been delivered. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. justjoyfulness Avatar
    justjoyfulness

    Nice one Iain. The VW seems to have inspired some ‘German’ stories this week. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you. It certainly has.

      Like

      Reply
  27. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Ha, nice! Full circle, sort of.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks – a story with a nice bookend always feels satisfying.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. beautyswot Avatar
    beautyswot

    Brilliant

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  29. rgayer55 Avatar
    rgayer55

    Good one, Iain. I love the irony too.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  30. Clare Hempstead Avatar
    Clare Hempstead

    Poetic justice. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Clare

      Like

      Reply
  31. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Very well done, Iain. Poetic justice indeed..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dale

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    The perpetrator becomes the victim – justice (or revenge) has a long arm.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  33. Lynn Love Avatar
    Lynn Love

    Be sure your sins will find you out … His past has caught up with him. I wonder if it’s a shock for people who are caught after so long, or a kind of relief? Great tale, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Probably a mixture of both I suspect. Thanks Lynn.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Lynn Love Avatar
        Lynn Love

        My pleasure 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  34. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Ooooo cold revenge for a past that deserves it. Well told Iain. Anger stays with us

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Laurie

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  35. k rawson Avatar
    k rawson

    Superb! Wonderfully written & satisfying.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  36. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    Wooooahhh!! And I was hoping the story was headed for a happy end😊 Great style of storytelling Iain.
    More power to your pen!

    Like

    Reply
  37. Sascha Darlington Avatar
    Sascha Darlington

    You have put so much into so few words. So very well done, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sascha

      Like

      Reply
  38. JS Brand Avatar
    JS Brand

    Good take and beautifully written Iain. It reminded me of the car chase (sort of) in Marathon Man, which heightened the tension as I read. Is it safe?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks

      Like

      Reply
  39. J.A. Prentice Avatar
    J.A. Prentice

    Wonderful story! I could really feel the tension.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  40. James Mathew Avatar
    James Mathew

    A good read. Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      You’re very welcome 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  41. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    You used every word superbly. A great stroy is so few words, Iain.
    I enjoyed your take on the challenge. Well done …
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  42. Michael Wynn Avatar
    Michael Wynn

    Great story Iain, I originally thought of something similar. When I was a boy there was a man in our street, emaciated from his time in a Japanese POW camp. I never forget one of the other neighbours proudly showing off his new Datsun to him and wondering why the man wasn’t impressed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I bet he wasn’t impressed! Thanks Michael

      Like

      Reply
  43. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    Great use of short sentences to build tension, and tell a story that leaves us wanting to know more.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sarah Ann

      Like

      Reply
  44. Lata Sunil Avatar
    Lata Sunil

    Wow.. Quite a story. Could be a movie actually. Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  45. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar
    lingeringvisions by Dawn

    Aaahhh the irony 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  46. mandibelle16 Avatar
    mandibelle16

    Exciting piece! I want to know what happened before now!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It has inspired me to write something longer – whether it ever comes to something, I’ll let you know!

      Like

      Reply

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