Neophyte

Week

The whole week came and went. 

Metztli couldn't believe that the week was already over, and it was time to return to the Mission. So much happened throughout the week. When the adolescent girl and her child died, the village held a funeral pyre. Since the adolescent's parents were dead and had been buried in an unknown location, they decided to cremate so her ashes and spirit could flow toward the sky. They believed that Chinigchinich (the sky-chief deity) would guide the deceased to help guide the living or would be given the gift of rebirth.

After the funeral, the villagers were seldom for two days; Metztli couldn't help but notice that Esteban and the Soldados wouldn't come close to the village. She remembered Mariana mentioning that a Soldado raped the adolescent girl and became pregnant. It was a disgusting and inhumane act that no one should suffer. The young woman also wondered if Esteban knew that Soldados would do atrocious acts toward women and the Tongva in general. 

She didn't want to think that Esteban was capable of doing deplorable acts; he seemed to be a man of values and respect. Throughout the week, Metztli and Valentina frequently met to teach and train one another. Valentina, however, didn't want Esteban and the others to be in attendance. They were the bitter reminder of what happened to the adolescent girl, and Metztli didn't want to cause tension since she had earned her trust. Guillermo also assisted whenever he could, and he didn't want to mention too much of what happened.

Guillermo tried to maintain his sister's good graces and avoided speaking about what had happened and the Mission. He assisted Valentina in teaching Metztli more about the language. Metztli ensured that she took notes whenever Valentina gave her lectures about the Tongva language, and she felt closer to her culture. She knew that her people in her era had tried hard to decipher the language they had lost, but with everything she was learning, Metztli believed she could help her community bring back their language. 

Metztli also took the time to teach Valentina and Guillermo some self-defense moves she had learned, as well as some offensive moves. Valentina slowly became confident and happier; Metztli couldn't blame her. She was slowly seeing the cruel realities that the Tongva and other Native tribes went through in the past. It wasn't easy to experience the powerlessness in your homeland. 

When the end of the week finally arrived, Metztli and the others began to pack their belongings. Toypurina informed her that she would stay in her tribe, as she had all the information she needed. Metztli was packing her belongings, but then she heard someone walk behind her. Turning around, Mariana was seen. "Mariana."

Ever since finding the truth, Metztli couldn't bring herself to speak with her. It was difficult since Metztli knew a secret that could be devastating to Guillermo and Valentina. She also knew that Mariana had difficulties due to the adolescent's and her child's death, but the feeling of anger was stronger. "I'm almost done, Mariana."

Mariana silently stood as she held her hands together. "I am sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"For you to have to know the truth in such a manner. I had hoped that I would keep this until my dying day, but fate had other ideas."

Metztli closed the wooden chest. "You still don't understand, Mariana. You shouldn't be apologizing to me, but your children—you and Victoriano. I understand that you two only wanted to protect your children and the village, but your children have the right to know the truth. You two made Guillermo and Valentina believe that their father died. You both could have told them when they were old enough to understand but you two still couldn't do that."

"I know. There is no need for me to argue since you are correct. I-I also wanted to thank you for being close to Valentina. She tells how much you have taught her and how happy she was to teach you our language. I haven't seen her so happy in so long."

Metztli didn't know what to think since she felt many emotions at once. She didn't believe it was right for her and Victoriano to keep the secret, but she felt terrible for having to live in secrecy due to their actions of defending themselves. "Valentina was difficult to deal with, and I thought that we might have never gotten along but there is more to her than I initially believed. She is more vulnerable than I thought. Valentina act strong because she never had the chance to experience hardships herself."

Mariana looked down at her hands. "Perhaps you're right. Victoriano and I have shielded and protected our children to the point that we have pushed out fears onto them. I-I will tell my children the truth but there are things that must be done in the Mission."

"I know it will be hard for them but I know they will eventually come around and understand why you two did what you did. D-Do you still love the Bishop?"

"I do."

"Love will be enough. Love has gotten you all to survive. Come on, we don't want to keep the others waiting."

Metztli got her chest, while Mairana grabbed the bags. They walked toward the outskirts of the village. They saw the wooden cart where Guillermo and Valentina were putting objects. Esteban and the Soldados were also seen gearing up their horses. Esteban noticed Metztli, and he hesitated over whether or not to go to her. It had been a couple of days since they had spoken; Esteban didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. 

"Good morning, Esteban."

"Oh, good morning, Metztli. Let me help you with that." He went to her, grabbed the wooden chest, and put it on the wooden cart. Esteban then assisted Mariana with the bags. "I hope you are doing well."

"Yeah, I am. I hope you're feeling well, too. I haven't seen you in a while and I was worried."

Esteban massaged the back of his neck. "I was occupied with guarding the village. Also, after what happened, I didn't want to cause tension within the village or to you."

The two looked at one another as Mariana decided to leave them alone while she and her children got on the wooden cart. "So much happened within the week and to be honest, I am leaving here with confusion and doubts rather than peace. Going to the Mission slowly made sense. Quite a cruel way into looking into things, isn't it?"

"Sometimes I feel the same way. Still, I am happy that you don't, well, hate me."

Metztli raised an eyebrow. "Hate you? Why would I do that?"

"Because of this," he responded while motioning to his uniform. 

"The uniform doesn't define who you are; it's your character and actions," Metztli said as she gently put her hand over his heart."

His face felt warm.

"Hey, it's time for us to go," Valentina announced while watching everything unfold.

The two cleared their throats. "Right." Esteban assisted Metztli onto the wooden cart, and he then got on his horse with his men. Manuel sat in front of the cart with Guillermo and commanded the animals to go onward.

Metztli looked back at the village and saw Toypurina, the Chief, and other villagers standing together. Many waved their goodbyes. Toypurina watched silently as the group went and wrapped her arms around herself. "We will see each other again very soon; the Gods have deemed it.