Neophyte

Night Sky

Esteban and Metztli ate their food as they continued talking in front of the fire. They finished eating their food, and then they looked up at the night sky. Metztli decided to lie on her back on the ground to get a clearer view. "It's been a while since I have seen so many stars."

Esteban was amused but decided to follow her lead as he lay on the ground next to her. "The night skies always hold stars. I would imagine you would see them often since you traveled."

"I have been traveling a lot, and I have been preoccupied with surviving that I hardly had enough actually to relax. Sometimes one forgets how to take it easy and see the uni-I mean, the heavens. Even the night holds its beauty and wonders."

"You speak like a poet, Metztli. You are right. We are all trying to survive this life that we forget the beauty of something people are afraid of."

Metztli smiled as she turned to Esteban. "Are you afraid of the dark?"

He looked at her and chuckled. "I used to when I was a child, but I find more comfort in it. I used to believe that the stars in the sky were God's angels to light our way in the darkness." 

His smile slowly faded; Metztli noticed. "But your perspective changed. Is it because of what you have experienced as a Soldado?"

"It's not only from what I have experienced but also what I had to do just to survive. I have done many things that I am not proud of. I dream of them frequently."

Metztli wondered what Esteban did that made him troubled. He seemed to be a gentle soul. However, being a Soldado wasn't an easy task. They had to do what they were paid and ordered to do, regardless of the consequences. "What you're describing it post-traumatic stress disorder."

"Post-traumatic what?"

"Sorry about that. It's something I came up with when I met people who are traumatized by their actions. It's an illness not only in the soul but also in the mind. A person who is a pure soul and is paid with the task to taint it, can lead one to be traumatized by it."

Esteban fell silent as he gazed up at the night sky, his hands clenched into fists. "I wouldn't say I had a pure heart and soul. I-"

"You may not admit it, but you do. Otherwise, you wouldn't feel guilt from what you have done. What have you done that troubles you?"

He looked the other way. "I don't want to-"

"Esteban." Metztli reached out and gently patted his shoulder. "We all have our regrets and secrets, but the more you keep them in, the more they will destroy you. It will also destroy your humanity. I won't force you to tell me but one day, I hope you will find it in yourself to tell me."

"I-" Esteban wasn't able to speak since a strong echo was heard from afar.

The two immediately sat up, looking toward the village's location. "Wh-What was that?" Metztli asked, concerned.

"It sounded as if it came from the village. It is best we go to see if there's an attack." Esteban immediately stood as he turned off the fire. "We need to go back but if the village is being attacked I want you to run as far away as possible." Metztli looked as if she wanted to argue, but he wouldn't have any of it. "You will not argue with me. Do you understand?"

Metztli eventually nodded, and she followed Esteban, who ran toward the village. Many thoughts and possibilities went through her mind. She couldn't help but think of the worst-case scenario and hoped it wasn't the case. They ran toward the village as fast as they could, and when they drew closer, Esteban's men gathered together but didn't enter the village. 

"¿¡Qué está sucediendo (What's going on)!?" Esteban asked as he stopped running.

"Señor, también escuchamos los gritos y pensamos que había un ataque. Nos dijeron que una de las mujeres estaba dando a luz, pero no nos permiten entrar al pueblo (Sir, we also heard the screaming and thought there was an attack. We were told that one of the women was giving birth, but we're not allowed to enter the village).

Metztli froze when she heard the news. She then remembered what she had overheard Mariana and Toypurina. There was an adolescent girl who was raped by a Soldado de Cuera and became pregnant as a result. Metztli glanced at Esteban. "Is he capable of...? No, I can't think that way!" She walked forward. "I'm going to find Mariana and the rest to see what's going on." Before Esteban could say anything, she ran off into the village.

The young woman noticed that many villagers were going to a certain kizh, and she knew where to go. The closer she got, the louder the screams became.  The villagers surrounded the kizh, and many looked confused while others were concerned. Metztli pushed through the crowd while calling out to Mariana, Valentina, and Guillermo.

"Metztli?"

"G-Guillermo?" She saw Guillermo and Valentina standing in the front row of the group. "I-I found you two! What's going on!? I heard that-"

"One of the young women is giving birth. Our mother and the other midwives are inside tending to her."

Metztli wondered if Guillermo and Valentina knew about the adolescent's past, but believed it was best not to ask. "I heard her screams from afar."

Valentina bit her lower lip. "From what I have heard, she is very young. Younger than I. I cannot imagine the pain she is going through to bring a child that was forced upon her." Valentina knew, and she spoke with venom. 

"How long has she been like this?"

"An hour ago, we think, Toypurina and the other midwives checked on her earlier in the day, and it looked like she was giving indications of labor," Guillermo answered. "We hope to God that-" He noticed his sister giving him a deadly glare.

"Do not bring your God here. Look at the harm that it brought to our people."

Metztli got in between them. "Both of you, we shouldn't argue amongst ourselves. It's not the time and place. All we can do is hope for the best." 

Everyone became silent as they stood outside the kizh where the adolescent girl was giving birth. Many of them said a silent prayer to their Gods and Goddesses for the adolescent's well-being. Metztli wanted to pray, but for the first time, she was conflicted. Conflicted about who and what to pray for. Valentina made a valid point. Her God allowed such suffering to the Tongva. She closed her eyes and hoped for the best.

Whenever there was a scream, everyone flinched. 

Eventually, the screams stopped, and there were muffling noises inside the kizh. 

Suddenly, cries were heard. Metztli knew that they weren't ordinary cries and felt her stomach constrict painfully. Suddenly, Mariana walked out of the kizh, her eyes riddled with sadness. Her children and Metztli went to her. "Nonantzin, what happened?" Valentina asked.

Mariana looked at her children, Metztli, and everyone who stood patiently. "The poor child had a difficult labor and she didn't survive. Her child did not survive either." The older woman knelt, looking up at the night sky, and wept.