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Mariana was in her room, changed into her clothing, and sat by the fire, watching Metztli. She couldn't believe everything that had progressed. Mariana feared the worst when Esteban told her that Padre Federico may have done something to her. She hoped Esteban made it before the Padre did anything else. 

"Mmmnnggh..." Metztli was slowly waking up.

The older woman walked and sat beside the young woman. "Metztli?"

"Nnnooo...get away..."

"Metztli, it is I, Mariana, you're safe, child." 

Mariana gently put her hand over hers, making Metztli violently flinch and sit up in the bed. "No, get away from me! Away! Away! Away!" Metztli slapped Mariana's hand away. 

"Metztli, please, calm down! It's me, Mariana! You're safe! Esteban saved you! Please calm down!"

The door suddenly opened, and Guillermo entered. "Madre, are you alright!?"

"Do not come closer, Guillermo. Metztli, take deep breaths, look at me. It is I, Mariana. Remember?" 

Metztli looked around and realized that she wasn't in the church and noticed Mariana standing close. "M-Mariana? How...?"

"Esteban brought you to me from the church. You are safe, try to calm yourself." Mariana looked at her son, "Guillermo, please leave us and help make breakfast." Guillermo looked as if he was about to argue, but with one glare from his mother, he knew that it was best not to argue. He left and closed the door. Mariana slowly sat back down on the edge of the bed. "Esteban told me some things, but he wouldn't elaborate. Did...Padre Federico, do something to...?" The mention of his name made Metztli violently flinch again. "I shall not ask you again. If you wish to tell me then you may do so, if not, then-"

"He's a monster..." Metztli said in a faint whisper. 

"What?"

"Monster..."

"A monster? You speak of him, right?"

Metztli put her legs in front of her and held them together. "H-He forced them..."

"Forced them?"

"The small house, on the table, and..."

"There is no need for you to speak more of what you saw. Now, I know what you saw."

The young woman slowly looked at Mariana. You knew? You knew what he was doing?"

Mariana sighed. "Victoriano told me what many of the Padres have done to our people. He didn't find out until one day a couple told them what one of the Padres forced them to do in front of them. The Padres view our people as cattle, and many die due to exhaustion. Since our people are seen as cattle, the Mission needs free labor, so they desire a steady population."

"A-Are you saying that the Padres force our people to...?"

"Yes, but Victoriano ordered such an act to be banned, for it is a sin. It was difficult for him to get the other Bishops to agree, but the others relented. Padre Federico would seem to disobey the order." Mariana gently touched Metztli's hair. "I'm sorry that you had to see such a thing."

A knock on the door echoed in the room, making the women slightly flinch. "Mariana, it is I. May I enter?"

"You may enter, Victoriano."

The door opened, and Victoriano appeared. He entered as he closed the doors behind him; everyone was silent. Metztli didn't look at him; she was still traumatized from everything that had occurred. The Bishop slowly walked toward the women, where Mariana got off the bed; he sat beside Metztli. "Esteban told me what happened. You are not hurt, are you?"

"My heart, spirit, and faith are hurt, Victoriano. From what I have seen, how could anyone still believe in god?"

Mariana gasped, not believing what she heard. "Metztli, don't you-!"

Victoriano raised his hand while shaking his head toward her. "Believing in god is never easy, Metztli, it is a special gift that one takes time to recieve."

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! That's rich, coming from the likes of you. You have been graced to kill to protect the woman you love and had children that you felt you couldn't provide for and protect. You became a man of the Mission not because of your love for god but to protect your family; the children that you lied to all their lives."

"Metztli!"

"You think that all you do is for the greater good? It will only be temporary, and once you pass, our people will suffer again. Why is that certain people suffer while others don't? Is it because god has its favorites or there was never a god after all."

The crackles of fire echoed in the entire room. Victoriano held his gaze on Metztli; he would have been angry to be spoken to in such a way. However, there was truth in what she had said. What could he say to persuade her?

Metztli was broken; he couldn't protect her. 

"Metztli, I failed you. I will take responsibility. You can no longer stay here. Padre Federico will be banished, but you will still be in danger. Which is why I shall offer you a choice."

"A choice?"

"I originally planned for you to live with some nuns who are good friends of mine. You will be safe and provided for."

"You can't be serious!"

"Or...you can choose to marry Esteban."

Mariana and Metztli were shocked. Mariana then remembered what Esteban previously mentioned about a plan. "Was this part of the plan?" She stepped forward, "Victoriano, this is too sudden, Metztli can't-!"

"Choose Metztli, you have until the end of the day, or I shall choose for you. I am not doing this out of spite, but for your future." The Bishop stood up from the bed, walked, and opened the door. "You are right. God works in mysterious ways, and he can be unfair. I am not a true man of god, you are right. I failed my family but I will not fail you. Remember, the choice is yours." He left the women alone.

Mariana looked at Metztli; she was lost.