© Google maps
Humberto waited until the rest of the workers knocked off for lunch. Then he went back to the part of the lot they were working on where he had found it. His mother was Aztec and named him Xochipilli after the god of feasting. His father forbade the ancient ways, so over the years, he met with other Aztecs in secret.
Mama taught him about their history and gods, which is how he recognized the stone figure of Huastec, the life-death idol concealed in the rubble. Who knows how many centuries it had been buried? He wrapped the figure in a small tarp and hid it in his truck. Huastec was a sign, a sign of the return of the rule of the Aztecs. Tonight, Xochipilli would meet with the others and plan. They would rise up. The first human sacrifice in centuries would take place next month.
Huastec – Brooklyn Museum / Creative Commons-BY
Written for the What Pegman Saw weekly photo writing prompt based on a view from Google Maps. The challenge is to use the image to write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. My story is 148. I did a 360 degree turn on Google maps and came up with a different view. I looked up the history of Mexico City and it has a significant Aztec presence. Then I looked up Aztec history and wrote my tale. I’m including a photo of Huastec for reference.
To read other stories inspired the what pegman saw, go to InLinkz.com.
poweredbyrobots.com 
Great take on the prompt! I really want to know what happens next.
LikeLike
Revolution! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read that the Aztec kings mixed blood in their chocolate and played a ball game using a human head. Good research here.
LikeLike
I’m embarrassed at how fast I did the research and the writing. Probably less than thirty minutes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not really what I think of when I think of the Aztec civilisaition. Will steer clear of them in the future!
LikeLike
They were more nuanced than 150 words could do justice to, Iain.
LikeLiked by 2 people
A nice bit of history here, although I could do without the blood sacrifice! Well done.
LikeLike
I needed the story to be sinister. Thanks.
LikeLike
A Native tale well told! Awesome! Loved it! 🙂 Or, as my people would say: AHO! 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
Thanks. I appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear James,
Interesting take on the prompt. My Spanish teacher in high school used to tell us wonderful stories of the Inca, the Aztecs and the Mayans. He was better at it than my history teachers, in fact. Well done…although the human sacrifice line made me cringe.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Well, it was supposed to be horror after all, and it has a historical basis, though I doubt we’ll ever have to worry about an Aztec uprising. Glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike