Neophyte

Blood

Padres Federico and Lucas said their goodbyes to Pascual, and the two men rode away from the ranch. Padre Federico felt the weight on his chest as parts of his plan were going into motion. It would take a while for the information to arrive, as San Diego de Alcalá was far, but he knew it would be worth it.

While he was thinking and taking pride in himself, the Padre didn't notice his fellow brother being quiet and looking disturbed.

Padre Lucas glanced at Federico occasionally; his fellow brother didn't even spare him a mere look. The image of Metztli came to his mind. Padre Lucas knew that Metztli would be trouble when she entered the Mission. It was noticeable how Padre Federico would look at her, and it made sense why he would always be silent during prayers.

Padre Federico desired her.

Padre Lucas couldn't stay silent any longer; he felt compelled to express his sentiments. He then commanded the horse to stop. 

The horse did as instructed, getting Padre Federico out of his thoughts. "Have you gone mad?"

Padre Lucas got off the horse, taking deep breaths. "I wish to know what you spoke of to Pascual." Padre Lucas knew, but he wanted to see if Padre Federico would tell him. To see if Padre Federico would have a sense of trust with him."

Padre Federico raised an eyebrow. "Worry not. It's something between us. It doesn't concern you." 

Hope drained from Padre Lucas; Padre Federico never viewed him with respect or as a person. He had high hopes since he had admired him ever since they met. "You were thinking about her, weren't you?" 

Padre Federico got off his horse. "Pardon?"

"Do not act the fool....Federico. I know you were thinking of that Mestiza. That cursed woman!"

Padre Federico had never heard Padre Lucas speak to him in that manner. "You listened to our conversation, did you?" Padre Federico believed it was pointless to hide who he truly was. "You speak of Metztli? Why would it trouble you, Lucas?"

Padre Federico saying his name casually made him shiver. "It-it troubles me because you made a vow before God that you would forever be virtuous and forever serve him. It is a sin to-"

"I was forced to make that meaningless vow. We are all sinners, and we will all die as sinners, Lucas. You thought I cared about being in my position? You thought that this was the life that I had wanted?" A smirk came across the Padre's lips as he slowly walked toward Padre Lucas. "We all have our secrets and our sins, Lucas. Let us make our confessions to one another, now that we are outside God's walls."

"What are you saying?" Padre Lucas was nerve-wrecked as Padre Federico stopped a couple of inches before him. 

"You are a man, Lucas—a man who has his secrets. What I am curious about is why you have a deep hatred for the Mestiza. Is it because you are attracted to her?"

"I-I am not! I-!"

"Look at you, acting all innocent. You never wanted to be a Padre, did you?" Seeing Lucas violently shiver made Padre Federico's smirk widen. "You and I are not so different. We both hate our position." The Padre shrugged while letting his arms hang slightly outward. "I am a man with desires, needs, and wants. If there is a God, then why should I be punished for it? Why is he allowing us to feel this way? Either he doesn't care, made it our destiny, or he doesn't exist."

Padre Lucas' shiver continued. "I-I heard some of the things that you spoke about with Pascual. Y-You have something against the Bishop. Y-You are doing this for her. Aren't you?"

Padre Federico rolled his eyes. "Of course, I am doing this for her. I am also doing this to leave this wretched Mission and all those fools who pretend to follow God's will. I have something that will get the Bishop out of my way."

"I-I can't let you do this."

"Really?" Padre Federico slowly put his arms down. "Are you trying me?"

"F-Federico. It is not the reason why you think. I-I will make my confession to you. Indeed, I never wanted to be a Priest. I despise it here. I despise that my family turned me away, forcing me to live a life of servitude. However, everything changed when I met you." Padre Federico's smirk died down looking confused.

"What is it that you are trying to say? You are trying my patience, Lucas."

Padre Lucas heaved. "I cannot contain myself!" Without warning, he grabbed Padre Federico's face and motioned to him; Lucas kissed him.

Federico's eyes widened as he violently pushed Lucas away while wiping his lips. "Wh-What did you-"

"I made my confession, Federico! When I first met you, I felt my heart beat for you! I swore always to do what you have wanted!" Tears dripped from his eyes, and he covered them with his hands. "I am ashamed of who I am, and I ask God why he made me this way! It was his will, and he put you in my path! However, it breaks my heart and soul that your heart belongs to that woman! A Mestiza! That is why I hate her! I hate that she has your heart and-!" Padre Lucas wasn't able to finish when he felt a painful lash on the side of his head. It was so hard that he felt his head had slightly opened. He was then kicked in the stomach so hard that he fell to the ground.

"Y-YOU BLASPHEMOUS SODOMITE! HOW DARE YOU!?" Padre Federico took the time to get the small whip he had hidden under his robe and whipped Lucas. "YOU DARE TOUCH ME WITH THOSE DIRTY LIPS!? YOU DARE EVEN TRY TO TOUCH ME!? I AM NOT A SODOMITE! I AM A MAN!" He continued to whip Lucas until the young man bled and his robes were filled with cuts. Padre Federico eventually stopped when his arm began to tire; he breathed heavily. "You are nothing to me! I will not be-"

"I-I know!" Padre Lucas trembled due to the pain as he was drenched in his blood. "I-I knew that y-you would never return m-my feelings. I confessed to you because that's what I felt was right. Still, I cannot allow you to be with that M-Mestiza. Even if we didn't want to be men of God, we made an oath." The young Padre struggled to stand but eventually managed to do so. Tears of blood came down from his eyes. "I-I cannot let you do this. If you must hate me, then so be it. We both cannot be happy." Padre Lucas limped away, leaving Padre Federico alone.

Padre Federico's mind raced. Padre Lucas knew too much; he had kissed him, had feelings for him, and was going to try to ruin his chances of being free from the Mission and of having Metztli. He saw red. Padre Federico dropped his whip, grabbed a heavy rock, ran toward Lucas, and struck him on the back of the head so hard that a loud crack echoed. Lucas fell to the ground while Padre Federico continued his assault until he stopped on the third strike.

Padre Federico breathed heavily until his anger subsided. He sat on top of Padre Lucas and realized that he wasn't moving. His head was cracked open, and parts of his brain were seen; blood flowed down like a waterfall. 

Seeing everything, Padre Federico dropped the rock and realized what he had done.

He became a murderer.