Neophyte

Noose

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 heartbeat 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, and 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 saw 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 breath. "Valentina, raped. Raped! God! Why do you allow suffering to be 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?"