forbidden fruit//a.aretas

~Chapter 17~

3rd person

9 year old Jasmine watched two dogs in the ring fighting. It was her least favorite thing her papa did. Underground Dog fighting. It tore Jasmine to see it, but she chose against voicing these thoughts to her papa, as he looked on passively at the fight. It was just another business deal in his eyes. The dogs fighting meant nothing to him.

Jasmine looked at her feet. Swinging them as they didn't quite touch the ground in her chair. She sat in between her papa and Luis who spectated the area. Andrés had mentioned there was a potential mole in his staff here, who was stealing his money. So Jasmine knew what would ensue later on in the night.

Andrés began taking Jasmine on his "business trips" with him. Teaching her the ways of the cartel. He trained her personally in combat and all sorts of tactical weaponry. And she was a prodigy. Andrés was highly satisfied in her capabilities. Like the son he never had. The Alvarez cartel grew very familiar with her and learned that she was ruthless. A tool of sorts, that instilled fear in many. She gained the nickname, El Silbón (The Whistler). After the Colombian myth, of a man who whistled a haunting tune through the Colombian Plains, carrying a bone bag. Containing the remains of his father. Jasmine's habit of whistling started this. Gaining momentum with more kills she gained. In the span of a year, the young girl dropped more bodies than her brothers combined. Heavily pleasing her papa, who wanted someone just as ruthless as him to do his bidding.

Andrés placed a hand on Jasmine's head. Catching the young girl's attention.

"Vamos mi pequeña lobo." (lets go my little wolf) Andrés spoke standing along with Luis. Jasmine scooted off her seat, silently taking Andrés outstretched hand as they made their exit.

"They said he's going to the dump, in the back alley." Luis spoke in a hushed tone. At this, Andrés leaned down to Jasmine's height.

"You need to capture him for your papa. I will be arriving there soon. Don't make Papa wait." He spoke the last sentence harshly. He kissed his daughter's forehead and pushed her off on her way. Luis watched uneasily at their complex relationship, but her knew better than to ask, and face Andrés' rath.

...

Jasmine watched from the shadows as a man named Nathaniel emerged from a door, leading into the alleyway. He was carrying a large bag, that seemed to have movement on the inside. Along with another large bag that was still.

"What's in the bag?" Jasmine asked. The man visibly jumped. The sudden sound of the little girl, spooking him. He eyed the young girl wearily, as much of her was covered by the darkness of the shadows. What could someone so young be doing in a place like this. Nathaniel thought. He smiled at the little girl.

"Just some trash niñita(little girl)" he spoke eyeing the girl who seemed to be stepping closer. Fully into the light she spoke.

"What's in the bag?" She tilted her head. Watching as one bag thrashed in the man's grasp. Nathaniel began breaking out into sweat. He didn't know why. This was just some little girl...why was he so nervous?

But in a flash Jasmine seemingly disappeared back into the shadows. Nathaniel turned back around. Startled by the encounter. He continued walking towards the dump before stopping in front of it. He then set down both bags, and opened the unmoving one. Stacks of cash lay inside. Nathaniel pulled out a suitcase from the dumpster, and began stuffing the cash into the suitcase. But then an eerie whistle echoed through the alleyway. A shrill sound that made Nathaniel pause. He looked around. Unable to pinpoint where the sound came from. He shuddered before retuning to his task. But the whistle sounded out again. This time with an eerie rhythm to it.