An all-female cartel, secret rulers of this parts
The reason behind it is a somewhat small cartel: the Cartel of Chicania, named after the town that you're on, and that serves as the base of this criminal organization. Unlike all the other Mexican cartels, they do not deal with drugs or other more famous illicit activities. Instead, by unknown means are capable to shrink down people, and based their entire profits of the market they have built around this: several stores are all over the town, selling the shrunken people under the guise of "special" toys to the locals. Not only that, they control or at the very least heavily influence the local media, allowing to spread the existence of the "mants": shrunken people sold as a very realistic dolls or robots for the younger people. Not only that, they are rumors they contact especially rich people, which uses the shrunken people for their benefit in return of hefty sums of money. All of this and more are the business that this Cartel deals with shrunken people.
However, this is not the strangest part: for some reason, only males are affected or kidnapped to be used, while females are the main and probably only sources of costumers for their business. Not only that, but there have never been seen a male wearing the cartel's symbols or badges, even disguised to a point. Apparently, only females are allowed into their ranks.
When she stops speaking, you and the girl remain in silent. Both of you taking the info given, and processing it as best you can. After several minutes, you're the one to speak:
"So, this cartel, they are the ones that are the reason of my conditions? How? And why haven't I heard ever of them?"
"Como dije, no sé cómo lo hacen. Lo que sí es conocido, no solo por yo, sino por todas las mujeres del pueblo es que hacen todo lo posible para mantenerse ocultas. Los métodos detrás de eso no lo sabemos, pero sin duda han sido exitosas: solamente nosotras las locales, y tal vez los carteles vecinos saben siquiera que existen en primer lugar. Lo que ocurre en Chicania, se queda en Chicania."("As I said, I don't know how they do it. What is known, not only by me, but by all the women in town, is that they do everything possible to keep themselves hidden. The methods behind it we don't know, but without a doubt." they've been successful: only us locals, and maybe neighboring cartels even know they exist in the first place. What happens in Chicania, stays in Chicania."), answers the mother, in a calm matter. Apparently, this is sort of common knowledge around this parts.
"No sabía nada de esto, mamá. Sé que no soy brillante, pero creo que podría notar la existencia de un Cártel aquí. ¿Cómo es posible que me enteré de esto recién ahora? "("I didn't know anything about this, Mom. I know I'm not bright, but I think I'd be able to notice the existence of a Cartel here. How is it possible that I only found out about this now?"), ask the girl. Even though she admits her...status, the question she ask is a clever one, or at the very least a clear one. Perhaps this girl can think if she wants. Just like her mother said.
Speaking of her, the woman sighs, and with a sad look, replies:
"Este cartel...no siempre estuvo aquí. Años atrás, llegaron y se apoderaron del pueblo. Todos los hombres y chiquillos...fueron achicados por arte de magia, y tomados presos para ser vendidos o usados como juguetes. A nosotras las mujeres s forzaron nuestro silencio, a cambio de la libertad de disfrutar del servicio que entregaban. Al principio, pocas lo hicieron, pero el cartel logro rápidamente convencer a muchas de esta nueva realidad. Hasta el día de hoy consiente o inconscientemente una buena parte de nosotras disfrutan de los "juguetes" que venden, especialmente las más jóvenes que no estuvieron directamente cuando tomaron, o que llegaron a este lugar en busca de trabajo y/o refugio de otras partes de México. El resto de nosotras, atemorizadas por sus acciones, decidimos que era mejor que ocultáramos como pudiéramos esta verdad las siguientes generaciones. Consideramos que de todas las opciones que teníamos a nuestra disposición...era la mejor alternativa de curso de acción disponible."("This cartel...wasn't always here. Years ago, they came and took over the town. All the men and boys...were magically shrunk, and taken prisoner to be sold or used as toys. Silence was forced on us women, in exchange for the freedom to enjoy the services they provided. At first, few did, but the cartel quickly managed to convince many of this new reality. To this day, consciously or unconsciously, a large part of us enjoy the "toys" they sell, especially the younger ones who were not directly there when they drank, or who came to this place in search of work and/or refuge from other parts of Mexico. The rest of us, frightened by their actions, we decided that it was best that we hide this truth from the next generations as best we could. We considered that of all the options that we had at our disposal...it was the best alternative course of action available.")
After this, silence ensues again, before I ask:
"You seem to know a lot, perhaps...?"
"Se mucho....porque yo estuve ahí. Yo fui testigo de sus primeras acciones, y lo he continuado siendo testigo de todas sus acciones visibles a todas desde entonces."("I know a lot…because I was there. I was a witness to their first actions, and I have continued to witness all their actions visible to all ever since.") replies the woman, with a uneasy tone. Perhaps what she saw left her marked, probably for life.
"Espera, ¿estuviste ahí, mamá? ¿Cuándo...ellas llegaron aquí?"("Wait, were you there, mom? When...they got here?"), ask the girl, in a worried tone. There might be something more to this for her.
"Si, mija, ellos llegaron...poco antes que nacieras....tu padre...se lo llevaron....y no fui capaz...de verlo de nuevo. Tenía demasiado susto...por las consecuencias de intentar buscarlo....no fui la única que sufrió una situación similar."("Yes, mija, they arrived...shortly before you were born...your father...they took him away....and I wasn't able...to see him again. I was too scared...by the consequences of trying to look for him...I wasn't the only one who suffered a similar situation."), replied her mother, tearing.
This reaction was soon mimicked by her daughter, who start to tear as well. She said:
"Se llevaron...¿a papá? ¿Es por eso...que nunca lo conocí?"
"Sí, se lo llevaron...y no pude hacer nada para evitarlo. Entenderás...porque preferí no contarte esto. Era demasiado...doloroso y potencialmente peligroso que supieras antes que hoy. Quien sabe que locura hubieras decidido intentar para vengarlo o incluso buscarlo"("Yes, they took him...and I couldn't do anything to prevent it. You'll understand...why I preferred not to tell you this. It was too...painful and potentially dangerous for you to know before today. Who knows what crazy thing you would have decided to try to avenge him or even look for him"), answered the mother, tearing even more.
Her daughter then rose up, and went to hug her mother. This way, the two giantesses were consolidating one another.
You remain in silent, leaving the two calm one another. So happened the silence for a while, and once the girl returned to her seat, you asked.
"I'm really sorry, for your loss. For both of you. Still, is there more you can tell me about my condition? For example, how I was shrunken out of nowhere as I simply was reaching the entrance to the town?"
"Te agradezco tu preocupación por nosotras. Y en relación a tu pregunta, si la puedo responder: alrededor del pueblo, hay una especie de "aura" o "fenómeno" que pasa, el cual achica a todo hombre que entra en su área de efecto. Fue atrayendo a muchos hombres forasteros que el Cartel consiguió sus primeras víctimas, aparte de nuestros familiares. Con el paso del tiempo han utilizado otras maneras de obtener su "mercancía", pero de vez en cuando un desafortunado llega aquí y sufre las consecuencias."("I appreciate your concern for us. And in regards to your question, if I can answer it: around town, there is a kind of 'aura' or 'phenomenon' going on, which shrinks every man who enters its area of effect. It was by attracting many foreign men that the Cartel got its first victims, apart from our relatives. Over time they have used other ways to obtain their "merchandise", but from time to time an unlucky one arrives here and suffers the consequences. "), answered the woman, while cleaning the few tears remaining. Her answer was a lot calmer. She must have been freed of the bottled up feelings she had to being carrying all these years since.
"I See...Finally, is there a way for me to turn back to normal? With what you have told me I really, really doubt it. But...still." I ask, with a desperate tone. Your chances are ever shrinking. Most likely, you're cursed to remain like this the rest of your life.
The mother does not reply immediately, perhaps thinking how best to answer you the bad news. Then, she says:
"En realidad, puede que haya una forma..."("Actually, there might be a way...")
"Really?" I ask, a bit more hopeful.
"Podría contactar a la actual jefa del Cartel. Tal vez...ella te permita volver a tu tamaño normal. Han pasado varios años desde el último caso después de todo, y hay posibilidades, minúsculas, que te entregue compasión de su parte."(“I could contact the current head of the Cartel. Perhaps…she will allow you to return to your normal size. It has been several years since the last case after all, and there are chances, minuscule, that she will give you compassion from her. "), she answers, with a grim tone.
"Is that so?", I ask again.
"Lo siento, pero eso sería tu única oportunidad."("I'm sorry, but that would be your only chance."), she answers.
Great, your best and only option is to arrange a meeting with a Cartel boss-lady. Well, any chances is better that nothing.
However, this is not the strangest part: for some reason, only males are affected or kidnapped to be used, while females are the main and probably only sources of costumers for their business. Not only that, but there have never been seen a male wearing the cartel's symbols or badges, even disguised to a point. Apparently, only females are allowed into their ranks.
When she stops speaking, you and the girl remain in silent. Both of you taking the info given, and processing it as best you can. After several minutes, you're the one to speak:
"So, this cartel, they are the ones that are the reason of my conditions? How? And why haven't I heard ever of them?"
"Como dije, no sé cómo lo hacen. Lo que sí es conocido, no solo por yo, sino por todas las mujeres del pueblo es que hacen todo lo posible para mantenerse ocultas. Los métodos detrás de eso no lo sabemos, pero sin duda han sido exitosas: solamente nosotras las locales, y tal vez los carteles vecinos saben siquiera que existen en primer lugar. Lo que ocurre en Chicania, se queda en Chicania."("As I said, I don't know how they do it. What is known, not only by me, but by all the women in town, is that they do everything possible to keep themselves hidden. The methods behind it we don't know, but without a doubt." they've been successful: only us locals, and maybe neighboring cartels even know they exist in the first place. What happens in Chicania, stays in Chicania."), answers the mother, in a calm matter. Apparently, this is sort of common knowledge around this parts.
"No sabía nada de esto, mamá. Sé que no soy brillante, pero creo que podría notar la existencia de un Cártel aquí. ¿Cómo es posible que me enteré de esto recién ahora? "("I didn't know anything about this, Mom. I know I'm not bright, but I think I'd be able to notice the existence of a Cartel here. How is it possible that I only found out about this now?"), ask the girl. Even though she admits her...status, the question she ask is a clever one, or at the very least a clear one. Perhaps this girl can think if she wants. Just like her mother said.
Speaking of her, the woman sighs, and with a sad look, replies:
"Este cartel...no siempre estuvo aquí. Años atrás, llegaron y se apoderaron del pueblo. Todos los hombres y chiquillos...fueron achicados por arte de magia, y tomados presos para ser vendidos o usados como juguetes. A nosotras las mujeres s forzaron nuestro silencio, a cambio de la libertad de disfrutar del servicio que entregaban. Al principio, pocas lo hicieron, pero el cartel logro rápidamente convencer a muchas de esta nueva realidad. Hasta el día de hoy consiente o inconscientemente una buena parte de nosotras disfrutan de los "juguetes" que venden, especialmente las más jóvenes que no estuvieron directamente cuando tomaron, o que llegaron a este lugar en busca de trabajo y/o refugio de otras partes de México. El resto de nosotras, atemorizadas por sus acciones, decidimos que era mejor que ocultáramos como pudiéramos esta verdad las siguientes generaciones. Consideramos que de todas las opciones que teníamos a nuestra disposición...era la mejor alternativa de curso de acción disponible."("This cartel...wasn't always here. Years ago, they came and took over the town. All the men and boys...were magically shrunk, and taken prisoner to be sold or used as toys. Silence was forced on us women, in exchange for the freedom to enjoy the services they provided. At first, few did, but the cartel quickly managed to convince many of this new reality. To this day, consciously or unconsciously, a large part of us enjoy the "toys" they sell, especially the younger ones who were not directly there when they drank, or who came to this place in search of work and/or refuge from other parts of Mexico. The rest of us, frightened by their actions, we decided that it was best that we hide this truth from the next generations as best we could. We considered that of all the options that we had at our disposal...it was the best alternative course of action available.")
After this, silence ensues again, before I ask:
"You seem to know a lot, perhaps...?"
"Se mucho....porque yo estuve ahí. Yo fui testigo de sus primeras acciones, y lo he continuado siendo testigo de todas sus acciones visibles a todas desde entonces."("I know a lot…because I was there. I was a witness to their first actions, and I have continued to witness all their actions visible to all ever since.") replies the woman, with a uneasy tone. Perhaps what she saw left her marked, probably for life.
"Espera, ¿estuviste ahí, mamá? ¿Cuándo...ellas llegaron aquí?"("Wait, were you there, mom? When...they got here?"), ask the girl, in a worried tone. There might be something more to this for her.
"Si, mija, ellos llegaron...poco antes que nacieras....tu padre...se lo llevaron....y no fui capaz...de verlo de nuevo. Tenía demasiado susto...por las consecuencias de intentar buscarlo....no fui la única que sufrió una situación similar."("Yes, mija, they arrived...shortly before you were born...your father...they took him away....and I wasn't able...to see him again. I was too scared...by the consequences of trying to look for him...I wasn't the only one who suffered a similar situation."), replied her mother, tearing.
This reaction was soon mimicked by her daughter, who start to tear as well. She said:
"Se llevaron...¿a papá? ¿Es por eso...que nunca lo conocí?"
"Sí, se lo llevaron...y no pude hacer nada para evitarlo. Entenderás...porque preferí no contarte esto. Era demasiado...doloroso y potencialmente peligroso que supieras antes que hoy. Quien sabe que locura hubieras decidido intentar para vengarlo o incluso buscarlo"("Yes, they took him...and I couldn't do anything to prevent it. You'll understand...why I preferred not to tell you this. It was too...painful and potentially dangerous for you to know before today. Who knows what crazy thing you would have decided to try to avenge him or even look for him"), answered the mother, tearing even more.
Her daughter then rose up, and went to hug her mother. This way, the two giantesses were consolidating one another.
You remain in silent, leaving the two calm one another. So happened the silence for a while, and once the girl returned to her seat, you asked.
"I'm really sorry, for your loss. For both of you. Still, is there more you can tell me about my condition? For example, how I was shrunken out of nowhere as I simply was reaching the entrance to the town?"
"Te agradezco tu preocupación por nosotras. Y en relación a tu pregunta, si la puedo responder: alrededor del pueblo, hay una especie de "aura" o "fenómeno" que pasa, el cual achica a todo hombre que entra en su área de efecto. Fue atrayendo a muchos hombres forasteros que el Cartel consiguió sus primeras víctimas, aparte de nuestros familiares. Con el paso del tiempo han utilizado otras maneras de obtener su "mercancía", pero de vez en cuando un desafortunado llega aquí y sufre las consecuencias."("I appreciate your concern for us. And in regards to your question, if I can answer it: around town, there is a kind of 'aura' or 'phenomenon' going on, which shrinks every man who enters its area of effect. It was by attracting many foreign men that the Cartel got its first victims, apart from our relatives. Over time they have used other ways to obtain their "merchandise", but from time to time an unlucky one arrives here and suffers the consequences. "), answered the woman, while cleaning the few tears remaining. Her answer was a lot calmer. She must have been freed of the bottled up feelings she had to being carrying all these years since.
"I See...Finally, is there a way for me to turn back to normal? With what you have told me I really, really doubt it. But...still." I ask, with a desperate tone. Your chances are ever shrinking. Most likely, you're cursed to remain like this the rest of your life.
The mother does not reply immediately, perhaps thinking how best to answer you the bad news. Then, she says:
"En realidad, puede que haya una forma..."("Actually, there might be a way...")
"Really?" I ask, a bit more hopeful.
"Podría contactar a la actual jefa del Cartel. Tal vez...ella te permita volver a tu tamaño normal. Han pasado varios años desde el último caso después de todo, y hay posibilidades, minúsculas, que te entregue compasión de su parte."(“I could contact the current head of the Cartel. Perhaps…she will allow you to return to your normal size. It has been several years since the last case after all, and there are chances, minuscule, that she will give you compassion from her. "), she answers, with a grim tone.
"Is that so?", I ask again.
"Lo siento, pero eso sería tu única oportunidad."("I'm sorry, but that would be your only chance."), she answers.
Great, your best and only option is to arrange a meeting with a Cartel boss-lady. Well, any chances is better that nothing.
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May 29, 2023
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