Neophyte

Toll

Metztli ran toward Mitena's room as fast as she could. Seeing Federico made her want to vomit, but what he said was what terrified her. She stopped running and looked at the ground, remembering what Federico said about Valentina.

He knew something, but he wasn't willing to admit anything. 

Metztli's heart beat was still rapid; dread overwhelmed her. Closing her eyes and taking deep breaths didn't help. Clenching her chest, she looked ahead where Mitena's room was located. Metztli noticed Esteban, Guillermo, and Victoriano. 

Relief was about to set in until she noticed that Valentina wasn't among them. "Oh no..." Metztli clenched parts of her dress as she walked toward Mitena's room. She hoped that Valentina would be found, but seeing the men, the hope dwindled. "Please, let there be some news. Please..." Metztli was always used to praying to god whenever she had dwindling hope.

Who could she pray to?

God?

Why?

Metztli witnessed suffering in the supposed house of god and he did nothing. Her people were converted through force and fear, where many have died from it. "There's no point. I can only face the truth." She walked forward until she reached Mitena's room. The door was slightly open, and as Metztli was about to enter, she stopped when she heard Mitena scream.

Entering the room, Metztli saw Mitena on the floor, crying as Victoriano was on her level, hugging her. Guillermo and Esteban stood apart from the couple; their eyes were gaunt. 

Esteban was the only one who heard Metztli entering the room and seeing her. He noticed her worried expression. He wanted to shield her from the truth, but it was unavoidable. "Metztli..."

"Esteban. Please don't tell me that Valentina is dead," she quivered while reaching for his hands. 

"No, she is not dead, Metztli. I'm afraid it's something far worse." 

"Please tell me, Esteban. If Valentina is not dead, then where is she? Do you guys have some clues?" Looking at Esteban, pleadingly, he lowered his lips to her right ear and whispered. What he told her made her fall to the floor. "N-No..." There was nothing else Metztli could say. She was in a state of shock from what she was told. "Valentina...dear god...."

Mitena was still crying hysterically; Victoriano hugged her tightly, his head lowered. Guillermo walked away from his parents and toward a wall where he set his head. His tears dripped to the floor.

Esteban knelt before Metztli, hugging her. He felt her hyperventilating and tried to soothe her. "Metztli, please. Try to calm yourself. I do not want you to faint."

Metztli hugged Esteban tightly while trying to regain her breathing. "Valentina, raped. Raped! God! Why do you allow suffering done in your name!? Why!?" Anger and despair were what everyone felt. What terrified her was Valentina's location and well-being. If what Esteban told her was true, then Valentina wouldn't be herself.

Rape can destroy a person's perception of their identity, self-worth, and strength. 

Valentina was a young woman with her pride and self-identity. Metztli dreaded knowing how such a traumatizing event could change Valentina. 

"Pascual was put in prison when we found out that some of the Mission's money was found in his ranch. That's not all. A body was found close to the ranch: Padre Lucas."

"Padre Lucas?" Metztli couldn't believe she almost forgot about him. The Padre was terrible to her and the other Tongva, but she was surprised that he was found dead. "He was found dead near Pascual's ranch? D-Do you believe he killed Padre Lucas?"

"Victoriano believes that Pascual was set up by Federico. The more I think about it. We believe that the two were working together. Pascual doesn't have the courage to steal from the Mission since that would mean certain death."

Metztli eventually calmed down, and her grip on Esteban lessened. "Th-That would make sense. Those two hated Victoriano. If the two worked together, why would Federico want to frame Pascual?"

"We don't know, nor would it matter anymore. Pascual was taken away, and I believe he is to be taken to Padre Fermin and the Bishops. He may try to say that it was Federico, but everything is being blamed on him."

"He will be put to death?"

Esteban nodded. "The possibility is high."

Metztli looked at Victoriano, who hadn't looked up from the ground. Mitena eventually stopped screaming, but tears still rolled down her face. Her watery eyes were hollow. She knew right there and then that no one would fight to stop Pascual's execution, even if he weren't guilty of stealing the money and killing Padre Lucas. 

She also didn't care if Pascual would be put to death either. Metztli imagined that Valentina wasn't the only Tongva woman he hurt. Men wouldn't be imprisoned or put to death for raping a Tongva woman since the women were seen as cattle to be used. If they stopped Pascual's execution, then those whom he hurt wouldn't get justice.

It would have been a secret justice.

"Esteban, tomorrow, Victoriano, Mitena, and Guillermo are going to leave. Will we leave with them?"

"No doubt. Manuel and I, along with our trusted me will take you all back home. I will stay with you all for a while but I will have to return to inform the Bishops of my departure from being a Soldado."

"You do not wish to be a Soldado anymore? You-"

"It was never my dream and I want to achieve more. Since we are to be married, I will want to provide for us from something that does not acquire the blood of others."

Metztli bit her lower lip. Esteban was willing to sacrifice his career as a Soldado de Cuera. She felt sadness that he didn't know the truth about her origin. It was only a matter of time before Metztli would have to tell him the truth.

There was no way that they would have a future together.

Then, the church's bell echoed throughout the Mission. Someone yelled that everyone was to meet outside the Mission's church. Victoriano assisted Mitena to stand. "It's time for the execution. We all will go."

No one argued. Victoriano held onto Mitena as he led her out. Esteban, Metztli, and Guillermo followed suit. 

No one spoke as they saw many of the neophytes walk toward the outside of the Mission's walls.

For the first time, Metztli decided to remain silent. She wouldn't stop someone from being put to death.