Neophyte

Nightly Visitor

Valentina was outside the Mission, sitting under a small tree under the night sky. She had seen so much tragedy happening in one day. It was nothing new to her, seeing many of her people die from illness, labor, and punishment. What made the day's event different was that Metztli tried to stop it, risking her life.

Metztli was willing to take Anna Maria and her husband's place. No one ever volunteered to suffer in the place of another. The Mission and its Padres made her people worry for themselves and lose their sense of community. When Valentina saw Metztli beg to take their place, she knew it was pointless. The Padres were ruthless in punishing her people; they enjoyed their suffering. 

Even with everything that happened, nothing affected her other than what Metztli told her. "You talk about the suffering of your people, but what did YOU do while Anna Maria and her husband were being whipped? Nothing! You did nothing as you cowarded behind the Soldados! I know I can't make much of a difference, but at least I tried! Did you!?"

Valentina bit her lower lip as she scrunched parts of her arm. Metztli did the one thing that Valentina didn't: try. Knowing that her actions could have caused her to be beaten or even death, Metztli still went against the Padres. Valentina always hated the Mission and the Padres; even with her hatred, she hated admitting that she never did anything to stop the abuses. 

It was difficult for Valentina to admit that, like everyone, she was a coward for not standing up to those who did her wrong. Metztli only reminded Valentina of her cowardice and the fact that Metztli had a stronger will than she ever could. 

"Hola, Valentina," said a masculine voice.

The voice was recognizable, making her violently flinch and look where it came from. Before her was a man sitting on a black horse, wearing long brown leather boots, making him look tall despite being small. The man had medium olive skin with a hint of sweat and dirt on his face, neck, and parts of his white shirt. His wide-brimmed hat was over his unruly black hair; he had a long, black, messy mustache with slight hints of gray hairs. His left eye was black, while his right eye was covered with an eye patch. There was a large scar on his buttoned nose; his arms and parts of his chest were filled with thick black hairs. 

"Pascual!?" The young woman immediately stood up and gave herself space, contemplating whether to run or stay. The sight of Pascual made her want to vomit since he was a horrid sight to behold. "¿Qué estás haciendo aquí (What are you doing here)?"

Pascual smirked, showing his yellow teeth. "Viajé un par de horas desde que supe que el Padre Fermín iba a llegar pronto. Quería reunirme con él (I traveled a few hours since I heard Padre Fermin would arrive soon. I wanted to meet with him)."

Valentina was surprised that Pascual knew about Padre Fermin's visit. There was the possibility that someone from the Mission told him about the news. She was uneasy about why Pascual made the journey to see Padre Fermin. Valentina was a child when Padre Fermin last visited, but her mother once told her that Padre Fermin was devoted to the Mission's way of life. There was a possibility that Pascual would try to get more of her people to work on his land. "Sé que no viajaste hasta aquí por tu supuesto amor a Dios. Tienes malas intenciones; Lo sé (I know you didn't travel here for your supposed love of God. You have evil intentions; I know it)."

Pascual got off from his horse, making Valentina move away from him. His eyes never left her. Whenever he tried to get close to her, she would move away. Since they were close to the Mission, it would draw too much attention to him. Seeing Valentina made blood rush throughout his body. Valentina was beautiful for a Tongva, but he believed she was not just a Tongva. Pascual knew a mestizo when he saw one. "Mis razones son sólo mías. También vine aquí para ver si lo que oí era cierto; te has mudado a la Misión (My reasons are mine alone. I also came here to see if what I heard was true; you have moved into the Mission)."

"Pareces saber mucho. ¿Usando espías (You seem to know a lot. Using spies)?"

A chuckle escaped Pascual's lips. Valentina was intelligent in her way and was very stubborn. He believed that she should have been honored that he, a wealthy landowner, would be interested in her. Many women would do anything to be the wife of a landowner. Valentina was different; she despised and rejected him. 

Like many men, he always wanted the one thing they couldn't have; it made them special. 

"Supongo que el obispo Victoriano planeó esto, pensando que permanecer dentro de la Misión me disuadiría (I assume Bishop Victoriano planned this, thinking that keeping inside the Mission will disuade me)." Pascual walked closer, making Valentina move back further, but he stopped. "Sepa esto, nada ni nadie me impedirá conseguir lo que quiero. Te lo aseguro (Know this, nothing, and no one will stop me from getting what I want. I assure you)." His smirk widened as he got back on his horse and rode off in the night. 

Valentina immediately ran back to the Mission, not looking back. She eventually got inside and didn't bother to look for her mother, brother, or anyone else. Valentina made it to her room, but Metztli wasn't inside to her relief. It suited her fine since she wanted to be alone. The doors were closed, and Valentina lay on her bed with the blanket over her. Pascual's arrival was unexpected; she hoped that being in the Mission would deter his deranged desire for her. 

It didn't. 

She realized that Pascual would never give up his pursuit of her and would always find ways to be in her life. Telling her mother was an option, but Valentina didn't want to worry her more than she already was. 

Valentina hated to admit it, but she was scared and didn't know how being trapped in the Mission would protect her.