Neophyte

Pray Tell

Metztli was still in Mariana's room, sitting on the bed, numb. She didn't know what to think or feel. She was given a choice: either be sent away to stay with nuns or marry Esteban. The Bishop wanted to protect her, but Metztli thought that there were other options. Metztli didn't want to go live with the nuns, but she didn't want to marry Esteban either.

Esteban was a good man, but marriage was far from her mind. She wondered whether Esteban knew about the plan or had volunteered to marry her. It was unknown, but what Metztli did know was that she wanted to return to her timeline. She had seen the dark history of the San Gabriel Mission. Metztli realized that the religion she was raised in was used to control her people into submission and slavery. "I have to find a way to get back in my time."

The door opened; Mariana entered. "Dear child, are you regaining your strength?"

"Y-Yeah, but I still feel slightly weak."

"It is understandable. You have been through too much." Mariana closed the door behind her as she put more wood on the fireplace. "Victoriano feels that he failed you. I also feel the same."

"Mariana, don't-"

"No. It is the truth. I also failed to protect my children. I should have convinced Victoriano that becoming a Padre was a terrible idea. We could have gone farther away from San Diego de Acala." Mariana watched the fire crackle. "I could have helped provide for our children, but Victoriano was very stubborn. He believed it was his duty as a man and father to provide for his family."

Metztli was still angry about Victoriano's needing to make decisions for her. However, she was slowly realizing that he felt guilt and anger. He was angry at himself for not protecting her. She knew that Victoriano was a man who only wanted what was best for her. Still, it wasn't entirely his responsibility, like how it wasn't Mariana's responsibility to always protect her. "Men. They feel as if they have to do everything themselves."

"Indeed," Mariana chuckled. "I must admit that that side of him was one of the many reasons I fell in love with him. Now, I'm afraid of losing the man I love."

"What do you mean? Does he still love you or-?"

"I know that he does. I was apalled by the plan. Though I knew that he believed it was bes to send you far from here. I didn't know that marrying Esteban was an option." The older woman looked at Metztli. "He was the one who found and saved you from Federico. Esteban also brought you to me as he went to Victoriano."

"Are you saying that...?"

Mariana sighed while shrugging her shoulders. "There's a possibility, my child. It would seem that Esteban has feelings for you. Though, it must be difficult for him to express it to you."

Metztli blushed; her entire body felt warm. "I-I w-well! We're friends!"

"Perhaps. However, men have difficulty expressing their emotions. They fear it makes them weak. It's frustrating but we cannot change their nature."

"I guess men are the same as the ones in my time. That's why they never change," Metztli thought. "Still, there needs to be a better way. I mean, with what Federico did, he can be sent away."

"I thought so too, but sometimes you cannot let your guard down. Federico may have something planned and that is why we still must be careful. Either way, you are right about one thing: Victoriano is getting older, and he won't be able to protect you and my children. You made him think of the possible future. It would be best to act now before it is too late." 

Metztli noticed that something was troubling Mariana; her eyes spoke it all. "There's something else you're not telling me. What is it?"

Mariana was momentarily silent, but she got a wooden chair and sat on it. "I cannot help but feel that Victoriano is frightened. He even suggested that he could find spouses for our children."