Neophyte

Awake

It was 4 a.m., and Guillermo had woken up since the morning mass would occur in an hour. Since he was Padre's assistant, Guillermo had to wake up early to prepare for the morning mass. Due to last night's practice with Metztli, Guillermo was still sleepy and tired. The song she chose was so beautiful that it made him weep. The way Metztli sang, she sang with passion and a hint of sadness due to witnessing Anna Maria's death. He knew the song would touch hearts and make one question their mortality. 

Metztli repeatedly practiced even though he told her how she sang was perfect. Guillermo said he didn't want her to lose her voice when Padre Fermin arrived. When it was time for them to go to sleep, Metztli told him that there were things she needed to do. He didn't want to leave her alone, but Metztli insisted that he could go on and that she would eventually get rest. Not wanting to argue, Guillermo went off to bed. "I need to get everything ready for the morning mass." Once changed in his attire, Guillermo walked outside toward the church while feeling the cold morning chill. His skin crawled with the frigid temperatures, and he ran to get inside the church.

Upon arrival, he entered the church, and to his surprise, the altar candles lit parts of the interior. 

Someone was inside the church. "¿Hay alguien aquí (Is someone here)?" There was no answer, but Guillermo slowly walked closer to the altar and cautiously examined his surroundings. No one was in sight. Guillermo thought another assistant wanted to help, but he heard a sound like soft snoring the closer he got to the altar. Turning to his right, he saw Metztli sleeping on the front wooden bench. She was in a fetal position; hints of saliva slowly dripped from her lower lips. Guillermo couldn't believe that Metztli slept in the church. "After she promised me that she would go and rest." He walked toward her and gently shook her. "Metztli, wake up."

Metztli groaned as she slightly moved to a more comfortable position but didn't wake up. "Mmmmhhh."

Guillermo chuckled while shaking his head. He nudged her more and called out, but Metztli didn't wake up. He thought it was pointless to wake her up and decided to prepare everything for the morning mass. Guillermo carried a lit candle and lit the other candles to bring more light. It was a peaceful and quiet process that he enjoyed; it took Guillermo away from the stress of everyday life. While going to the left side of the church to light the candles, the church doors opened.

Federico entered.

"Oh, Padre. You are here early."

"Indeed, I am. I couldn't sleep very well. The cold is making it difficult."

Guillermo nodded as he gave a quick head bow. "Indeed, Padre. I cannot help but feel that a storm is coming soon. I hear that Padre Fermin is to arrive soon. I hope it doesn't rain during his travels."

Padre Federico walked toward the altar, looking at the wooden cross. "Even if it does rain, it will not deter him. He keeps his word regarding visiting the Missions." When he reached the altar, Padre Federico made the sign of the cross and noticed the sleeping Metztli. His eyes widened. "What is she doing here?"

"Oh, please forgive her, Padre! Since she is to sing before Padre Fermin, Metztli practiced a song before me. However, I didn't expect her to come here. Perhaps she prayed for God's blessing."

"God's blessing, eh?" The Padre slowly approached Metztli, who was still soundly asleep. Her hair was sprawled on the bench, and other parts hung down; it was mesmerizing. "Even asleep, she holds so much beauty." Federico couldn't get his eyes away from her, no matter how hard he tried. The urge to touch her hair was becoming difficult to ignore as his right hand trembled, fighting against his better judgment.

"Padre?"

Guillermo's call to him woke him from his trance. He looked at the young man holding a white candle.  

"Hm?"

"I asked if Padre Fermin is going to arrive soon?"

Federico nodded as he walked to the altar and made a faint sign of the cross; his back turned to Guillermo. He tried calming himself down, realizing what he was about to do. His right hand still trembled, and he didn't want Guillermo to see. The Padre held onto him, taking deep breaths to calm himself. "From what I hear, he might arrive tonight or tomorrow morning. The Bishops are ensuring to prepare everything before his arrival."

"Well, it is exciting for such an important man to visit. He-" 

Groans came from Metztli, making the men immediately look at her. She slowly woke up from her slumber; her vision was blurry, but she eventually regained sight. "Wha?"

"Good morning, Metztli. You slept in the church," said Guillermo.

"I did?" Metztli slowly sat up and massaged her eyes, but she remembered what had happened the previous day. She practiced singing for hours until her voice hurt. Guillermo wanted her to rest, but Metztli didn't want to since it was difficult to forget what had happened to Anna Maria and her family. Sleep was going to be impossible. "Now I remember. After practicing, I came here to get some comfort, and I must have slept here by accident."

"Well, you should return to your room, Metztli. Morning mass for the Padres will soon begin and more preparations need to be done," said Guillermo.

Metztli nodded while slowly standing up. She noticed Padre Federico and violently flinched at the sight of him. Although handsome, his eyes frightened her; they were emotionless. It felt as if the devil was looking at her. The two looked at one another, and neither said anything. Metztli wanted to walk away, knowing that she was being rude. However, she felt his aura off and thought of heeding Mariana's warning. She knew the Mission and many of the Padres, so Metztli thought it wise to listen. 

"Guillermo tells me that you both have been practicing a song that you will sing for Padre Fermin."

His words got Metztli out of her thoughtful state. "Huh? Oh, yes, Padre. I was unexpectedly given this responsibility, and I don't want to embarrass the Bishop."

"You will not disappoint anyone, Metztli. Last night, you sang so heavenly that even the angels would weep." Guillermo felt excited for her; he felt confident that Metztli would impress all those who would listen to her. 

Padre Federico heard Metztli that night of the outing, and she did have a beautiful voice, but he wondered what song she would sing. What concerned him was that many people who lived in nearby villages and towns were invited to meet Padre Fermin since he was a powerful man. If other men saw and heard Metztli sing, they would instantly become attracted to her. Padre Federico didn't want that to happen—many wealthy men would not miss the opportunity to take a beauty as a wife. 

"Well, I guess I will be going. Sorry for interrupting your preparations." 

Metztli walked toward the church exit. Padre Federico wanted to call out to her, wanting to speak more to her. Since he had a class to teach the Natives after mass, Federico wanted to see if he could motivate Metztli to be his assistant. With Guillermo in sight, suspicions arise as to why he would ask her. He watched her leave the church, leaving him alone with Guillermo, who put the last candle on the altar.

"I know Metztli will not admit it, but she probably came here to ask for God's healing from what happened with Anna Maria and her child. From what I could tell, she has an innocent heart and spirit."

Padre Federico still focused on the doors from which Metztli walked. "It would seem that way, but we have laws and our way of life. She will eventually come to terms with it. However, if Metztli disobeys, then she will face punishment." Federico believed that anyone could be broken to submission, Metztli included. It was getting difficult to hold his attraction for her, and he feared doing something rash. In the Mission, the Padres were powerful; Federico could use her weaknesses to get what he wanted.

Guillermo, however, stood under the wooden cross as he looked at the candles. He noticed that Padre Federico called Metztli by her name. It was unheard of by many Padres since they would only call the Natives by their names whenever they got in trouble. The young man slowly turned and looked at Padre Federico who still looked at the doors. Guillermo didn't know why, but he couldn't help but feel something was off.