Neophyte

Terror

Padre Fermin was in his room all day until nightfall. He read Victoriano's journal intently until the very end. Victoriano was a young man with hardships, hopes, and dreams. He knew that Victoriano was once a Soldado. Padre Fermin was told that Victoriano believed that the Soldado way of life wasn't for him since he was inspired to do more in life. Meeting Victoriano for the first time, he truly believed that he wanted to make a difference in converting the natives to the path of god.

It was all a lie.

Everything was to protect the family he created before entering the priesthood. Victoriano wrote his confession of killing Soldados de Cuera from Mission San Diego de Acala. He did it to save the native woman named Mitena, but changed her name to Mariana. 

Murder was still murder, a sin in the eyes of god. He didn't do it out of spite but to protect the woman he loved. 

Padre Fermin sat in front of his fireplace, looking at the crackling fire. It was the first time in his experience as a Padre where he was conflicted on what to decide. Victoriano lied for so long, but Federico did as well. Victoriano lied out of love, while Federico lied out of fear and lust. The men made Padre Fermin realize that even with positions for men of god they were still men. Everyone had secrets within themselves.

He hated to admit it, but everyone had secrets, even men of god. The problem was that one was scared to admit such a thing. Putting his hands together, he admitted something about himself. 

He had a hint of jealousy.

Jealousy that Federico wasn't afraid to admit his truth. He was also jealous of Victoriano for having felt and been in love. Like many Padres and Bishops, one believed they were doing god's work. One had to learn the hard way that the path of the Padre wasn't for the faint of heart. Living in the Missions for so long could be depressing since one was isolated from the outside world. 

Federico and Victoriano made Padre Fermin see that truth. 

Since he was the successor to his predecessor, Junipero Serra, Padre Fermin knew he had to make a wise decision. 

There was a knock on the door, making him get out of his thoughts. "Entre (Enter)."

The door slowly opened; Pascual slowly entered, bowing his head. "Padre Fermin."

Padre Fermin glanced at Pascual, confused at his visitor. "¿Quién eres (Who are you)?"

"Soy Pascual. Puede que no me conozcas, pero formé parte de la celebración de su llegada (I am Pascual. You may not know me, but I was part of the celebration of your arrival)."

"Ah, no sabía que los forasteros podían visitar la Misión sin un permiso especial (Ah, I didn't know that outsiders could visit the Mission without special permission)."

Pascual cleared his throat. "Vine aquí por un asunto de gran importancia. Les traigo una carta de la Misión San Diego de Alcalá (I came here for great importance. I brought you a letter from Mission San Diego de Acala)." He motioned out the letter to the Padre. "Me dijeron que lo trajera aquí una vez que lo recibiera (I was told to bring it here once it was received)."

Padre Fermin raised an eyebrow, giving Pascual his full attention. He motioned with his hand for the letter. Pascual gave it to him and watched Padre Fermin open and read it. 

Reading the letter carefully, Padre Fermin was surprised to read that it was from one of the Padres from the Mission of San Diego de Acala. He wrote, remembering Victoriano and the Soldados who were found dead. The letter stated that they had tried to find Victoriano and the native woman who had gone missing. The names of the Soldados killed were listed. The Missions' insignia was at the bottom of the letter, making the letter legitimate.

"¿Quién te dijo que trajeras esta carta? (Who told you to bring this letter?)"

Pascual knew that he had to be careful with his following response. If he exposed Federico, then he wouldn't see his payment. Padre Federico would think that both men were working together. "Recibí instrucciones de un hombre que no conozco, quien, a su vez, también había recibido instrucciones. Me dijeron que esperara una carta y que se la entregara a usted. Eso es todo lo que sé, Padre Fermín (I was given instructions by a man I do not know, who was given instructions. I was told to wait for a letter and bring it to you. That is all I know, Padre Fermin)."

Padre Fermin eyed him carefully and then at the letter. He sighed and said, "Muy bien. Gracias por esta carta. Puede retirarse (Very well. Thank you for this letter. You may leave)."

Pascual bowed his head once again as he left Padre Fermin alone. Walking away triumphantly, Pascual believed that he and Federico brought an end to Victoriano's reign. Victoriano had always given him a hard time when it came to wanting native slaves to work on his land. With him out of the way, Pascual will be able to do what he has always wanted.

What still surprised him was the fact that Guillermo and Valentina were Victoriano's children. He smirked, realizing that Victoriano and Mariana were lovers. He walked out of the Mission, since his men had gone to his ranch to rest. They all had a long day of travel; Pascual also wanted to rest. While walking, he noticed a woman from afar.

Veening, Pascual realized that it was Valentina. All his exhaustion went away as he ran toward her. "¡Valentina!"

Valentina stopped walking as she looked at him. Her eyes and face were partially red. "¿Qué quieres (What do you want)?"

"Oí que eres la hija de Victoriano. Me sorprendió escucharlo (I heard that you are Victoriano's daughter. I was surprised to hear)."

Valentina bit her lower lip. She couldn't believe that someone like Pascual knew the truth, and she wondered whether he had heard it or someone had told him. The shame of being the daughter of a Bishop, much less a Spaniard, was a deep shame for her since Valentina despised them. Ignoring him, she continued walking with her bag of clothes.

Pascual walked beside her. "¿Adónde vas (Where are you going)?"

"Mi verdadero hogar. Vete (I'm going to my real home. Go away)."

Pascual had always pursued Valentina, but she always rejected him. Victoriano always got in the way, protecting her. Federico was right; she was at her most vulnerable. All the memories of her mockery echoed in his mind. 

Valentina no longer had power and protection.

Grabbing her arm tightly, Pascual forcibly motioned her to him. "Siempre pensaste que eras mejor que yo. Siempre me rechazaste (You always thought you were better than me. You always rejected me)." Valentina dropped her belongings as she tried to get away from his grip, but his grip on her tightened. Pascual then grabbed her by the neck. "Todas esas humillaciones por las que me hiciste pasar. Podría haberte dado todo, pero tú, un simple salvaje, te creías superior (All those humiliations you put me through. I could have given you everything, but you, a mere savage, thought highly of yourself)."

"¡Déjame ir (Let me go)!"

"Miedo. Ahora que tu padre ya no está, estás completamente sola (Now that your father is out of the way. You are all alone)." Pascual squeezed her neck tightly as he motioned her farther away. Valentina tried fighting back, but she was overpowered. He then violently pushed her to the ground as he followed suit.

Valentina screamed in terror.