Neophyte

Noose

Everyone in and outside the Mission knew what the bell tolls meant: punishment or execution.  

The neophyte Tongva dreaded having to see whether one of their own would be punished. They hadn't forgotten what happened to Anna Maria. 

Metztli and the others arrived outside the Mission's church, where everyone gathered. Metztli, however, knew that Pascual would be executed. She hated Pascual with a consuming passion after what he did to Valentina, but she didn't have the stomach to see a person executed. Mitena, Victoriano, and Guillermo went ahead and stood in front of a certain section, wanting to see Pascual hanged.

Esteban stood beside Metztli, gently motioning for her to move to his body. "You do not wish to stand alone with them?"

"No, I know what Pascual did was disgusting, but I can't see someone being killed in front of my eyes. It was hard for me to forget what happened to Anna Maria and Juvencio."

"I understand. Even I do not like seeing people being killed before me."

"You're a Soldado, Esteban. I thought it was a normal day occurrence for you and your fellow Soldados to kill and see death."

Esteban nodded as he continued to look onward. "It is expected for us to see death and cause it, but it doesn't mean that I enjoy it. There are many Soldados, like I feel that our souls become tainted with every death we cause and see."

"Even if it is Pascual?"

"People like that are the exception, Metztli. There have been unfortunate cases in which perpetrators such as Pascual escaped punishment for their crimes. It can taint the heart and soul when there is no justice for those who have no voice. Executions for men like Pascual would be a pleasure to watch."

Looking at Esteban's eyes almost frightened Metztli. They were cold and calculating. She imagined that learning from what happened to Valentina made him angry and helpless. It might have been the first time Esteban would see someone facing justice for their abuse toward the Tongva and other native people. 

Metztli noticed many of Soldados de Cuera walking out of the Mission, surrounding the onlookers to ensure that no one could escape. Two Soldados then walked in front of the onllokers and toward a tree.

A tree that Metztli remembered too well.

It was the tree that Anna Maria was tied to while being whipped to death. A shiver went throughout her body. Then the double doors of the Mission were opened.

Soldados de Cuera forced out Pascual and his men. "¡Déjame ir! ¡Soy inocente! ¡No robé nada! ¡Yo no maté a nadie! (Let me go! I am innocent! I didn't steal anything! I didn't kill anyone!"

Everyone except Guillermo, his parents, Esteban, and Metztli was shocked to see Pascual being forcibly led out of the Mission. The onlookers murmured to one another, wondering if Pascual and his men were the guilty ones.

Then, the church doors opened, and Padre Fermin walked out with the Bishops in tow. The other Padres followed behind their leaders.

Federico was then seen being taken out of the church by two other Soldados, who made him stand behind Padre Fermin and the Bishops.

Metztli hugged Esteban, remembering their conversation. Esteban felt her tight hug, and he hugged her with an arm. 

"Esteban."

Looking beside him, Manuel walked by the couple. "Manuel, ¿dónde has estado? (Manuel, where have you been?)"

"He ayudado a traer el cuerpo del Padre Lucas a la Misión (I have assisted in bringing Padre Lucas' body to the Mission)"