Neophyte

Nightmare

Metztli had her eyes closed and felt that she was floating in mid-air. It felt tranquil, and she wanted to wake up to know where she was, but her eyes felt as if they were glued shut. Eventually, Metztli felt like she stood on hard ground; the air was so hot that she felt her skin would burn. 

"Am I in hell?"

When trying to open her eyes, Metztli was relieved to see, finally, but confusion set in when she realized she was outside and far from the Mission. Looking at the skies, the sun was scorching hot, and Metztli walked toward the Mission to shield herself from the heat. However, walking toward the Mission felt like she couldn't get closer to it.

It was as if the Mission was straying away from her. 

The situation was reaching a point where frustration was building. "Why can't I?" Metztli tripped onto something, making her fall to the dirt. However, whatever she fell onto felt soft yet rough. Opening her eyes, her mouth widened in horror, and she screamed in terror. She fell on top of the body of a middle-aged man whose eyes were emotionless. His skin was turning blue. Metztli immediately exited him and was about to walk away, but she felt something else blocking her path.

Looking behind her, there was another motionless body of a man who had a bullet wound to the head. When Metztli looked around, to her horror, there were many bodies of dead men surrounding her. 

Her screams echoed so loudly that people from the Mission would have heard her. "DEAR GOD! BISHOP!? MARIANA!? WHERE ARE YOU!?" She closed her eyes and shut her ears, praying to God to take the sight away. 

"Metztli..."

"Huh?" Someone called out her name, but what confused her was that she could hear the voice perfectly, although her ears were covered. 

"Metztli." The voice sounded clear and soft, but still familiar. 

She waited for the voice to call her again, but there was silence. Metztli feared opening her eyes and seeing the dead bodies. However, she couldn't keep her eyes shut for long. Taking deep breaths, Metztli opened her eyes.

Her eyes widened in confusion and horror. Her throat became dry, preventing her from screaming. Her body felt stiff and rigid as stone. Before her stood many lifeless bodies of men. Many had one or both eyes; some had none. Most of their bodies had deep wounds where blood dripped from their bodies. They all looked at Metztli, but then she felt someone standing behind her.

With all her courage, she turned but was shocked to see Toypurina standing behind her. The confident and stoic look she always had was no longer apparent. Her hair was in disarray, her skin dirty with bruises and scrapes, and Toypurina's clothes were dirty. When looking at her eyes, Metztli noticed that they were tear-stricken. She displayed a smile as small as if they were hiding her anguish. "T-Toypurina? What...?"

"Otitopoloque."

"Wh-What does that mean? What-?" Then, the dead bodies slowly walked toward Metztli and constantly echoed Toypurina's words. Everyone was getting closer and louder; their voices echoed in Metztli so much that it became painful.

"TOYPURINA!"

Metztli sat in bed, breathing heavily; sweat drenched her back and neck. Looking around, she noticed she was in her room; it was a dream. She slept late last night since the guest left almost close to dawn.

"Nightmare?"

Valentina stood in front of the mirror, braiding her hair. 

"Y-Yeah. Sorry about that. Was I talking in my sleep?"