Neophyte

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Federico was in his room as two Soldado guards stood outside the door to prevent him from escaping. It suited him fine since it was going to be impossible for him to leave. 

Though there was some comfort in being in prison, Federico was still fuming at the verdict. With everything he had said to Padre Fermin and the Bishops, he was still to be a Padre exiled to Mission San Carlos. 

There was one worry off his shoulders, though. 

Pascual. 

He went to visit him as predicted and asked for more money. Since Federico was still to be a Padre, he wouldn't have money on him anymore. The memory etched his mind.

Federico was fuming to the core as he paced back and forth in his small prison cell.  He believed he would be free from the Mission's way of life. He also believed, with all the evidence that was presented regarding Victoriano's crime, that Federico would see him executed.

Nothing went according to plan.

Victoriano would still live. 

Federico would be damned to live the rest of his life as a Padre. 

It was all because of Metztli.

Federico stopped pacing. 

Metztli.

"Yes, this is all her fault! She swayed my mind and body! Ever since her arrival, she has consumed me! Metztli was the one who made me do the actions that I have done! That wench! That seductress! It's all her fault!" Federico screamed all his frustration. He felt weak whenever he thought about her and spoke about her. He hated how Metztli made him feel about her. 

Federico still desired her.

However, she was with Esteban, and it was only a matter of time before she left with him. 

Federico was enraged that it was he who was still to live as a Padre while Metztli would live freely. He was going to live in a prison for the rest of his life, while Metztli would be the wife of another man. He was going to live and die alone, while loved ones would surround Metztli.

"It's her fault. Her fault her! HERS!" He punched the prison bars. "Damn you, Metztli! Damn you to hell!" Federico knelt on the floor as he scrunched parts of his hair that were slowly growing back. 

Noise echoed from the outside; someone was arriving. 

Composing himself, Federico stood up to see who would be visiting him. The door opened; it was Pascual.

Federico bit his lower lip, hoping he had enough time to plan to get Pascual out of the way. There was no other choice, since he didn't have any money to pay and couldn't steal from the Mission's treasury. Pascual was the only one who entered, as his men were ordered to stay outside.

Pascual stood before Federico's cell. He knew something had gone wrong during the trial. "Todavía estás en este agujero de mierda (You're still in this shithole)."

"Hn. No por mucho tiempo. Me niego a estar atado aquí para siempre (Hn. Not for long. I refuse to be bound here forever)."

"Entonces, ¿qué pasó en el juicio? ¿Victoriano será ejecutado? (So what happened in the trial? Will Victoriano be put to death?)."

Federico sighed. "No. Será exiliado de esta Misión (No. He is to be exiled from this Mission)."

"¿¡Qué!? ¡Pensé que nos desharíamos de ese viejo tonto! ¿¡Exilio!? ¿¡Mató a otros y no sufrirá el mismo destino!? (What!? I thought we would be rid of that old fool! Exile!? He killed others, and he is not to suffer the same fate!?)." Pascual was enraged that all the traveling and work he had done had gone to waste. All that time wasted for nothing. Seeing Federico still in prison made his blood boil. "¿Dónde está el dinero que me has prometido? (Where is the money that you have promised me?)."