Neophyte

Honesty

It was becoming dark.

After the execution, Metztli decided to go to the gardens by herself. Esteban wanted to go with her, but she insisted that she would be safe. Metztli knew that he was worried about Federico trying something on her, but they had already met in the kitchen. She didn't tell him what happened since Esteban had other stressors. 

Before arriving at the gardens, she remembered seeing Pascual and his men dangling in the trees. Metztli thought that seeing Pascual pay for his crimes would bring some comfort, but it didn't. It was an endless cycle of suffering and death.

Pascual's death wasn't going to change anything.

Metztli believed that even with one evil doer gone, there will always be another. She knew since she was from the future. Her main worry was Valentina and the aftermath of what was done to her. Metztli, along with Victoriano, Mitena, and Guillermo, was going to go to Jachvit Village. There was nowhere else Valentina would go, since Toypurina and her people were there. 

"Metztli."

Turning around, Esteban stood at the entrance of the gardens with two plates at hand. Metztli wasn't hungry, but it would be a while before she would have a decent meal, so she wasn't going to refuse. "Esteban. Sorry for taking a while. I was losing track of time."

Esteban walked into the gardens, making his way to Metztli. Sitting by her side, he motioned to her a plate of porridge and bread. He watched her take it, break off a piece of bread, combine it with the porridge, and eat it. Esteban knew she wasn't hungry; he wasn't either. However, they would need their strength for what they would face. "How are you feeling?"

"I don't know. I feel tired. I never would have imagined that a place like could hold so much evil."

"I am sorry that you had to witness such things. Unfortunately, it is like this in many other Missions. From what I heard, more Mission are going to be built since they were approved by Padre Fermin. He wants more Missions created to convert many natives into neophytes."

Metztli knew that more Missions would be built because she had visited some of them. "Did they take down the bodies?"

"No. The bodies will be left hanging to show everyone the consequences of doing the Mission wrong. We know that Federico is to blame, but there is no point in fighting against him anymore. He is going to be assigned to another Mission. There will be some peace and justice."

Metztli wanted to believe Esteban, but after one terrible thing happening after another, she wasn't too sure Federico would be stopped. Looking at Esteban, Metztli believed that it was time to tell him the truth. "Esteban, there's something I need to tell you."

Esteban stopped eating and gave Metztli his attention. Looking at her, he noticed she looked nervous. "What is it?" Putting his plate down and giving her his full attention, Esteban gently held her right hand as she too put her plate down.

"I-I haven't been entirely honest with you regarding my origin. What I am about to tell you is something I told Mitena and Victoriano, but I haven't told Guillermo."

Esteban felt Metztli shaking, but with a gentle squeeze, he reassured her that whatever she wanted to tell him would be fine. However, even he felt nervous about what she wanted to tell him. "Tell me. Whatever you say, we can overcome it together."

Taking a deep breath, Metztli gathered her courage and said, "I-I am not from this timeline."

"Pardon?" The nervousness disappeared, and it then turned into confusion. Esteban was trying to comprehend what he was being told. "What do you mean not from this timeline? I am confused."

"What I am trying to say is that I am not from this time. I came from San Gabriel, California, in 2015. I time-traveled here when I visited the Mission. I don't know exactly how I came here, but I believe that I was brought here for a reason. To see the truth." She stopped to let Esteban process everything. His eyes looked empty, not blinking once. "Esteban?"

He chuckled. His chuckle became laughter, letting her go. His response was unexpected, but Metztli didn't have the strength to be upset. She watched as Esteban laughed so much that he looked as if he were about to fall from his seat. Calming himself, Esteban wiped some tears from his eyes. "What are you speaking of!? You cannot be that serious!?" It was difficult for him to believe that Metztli could time-travel, but seeing her serious expression, he realized she was jesting. "Metztli, forgive me, but how am I supposed to believe such a thing? You, coming from the future?"

Metztli stood, taking a glance at the flowers and then at Esteban. "I can't blame you, Esteban. I would have reacted the same way, but it's the truth. Have you ever wondered why I was different from the others? Why can I speak English and Spanish? In my time, people are more advanced, in many places where many languages are spoken. At this time, Spanish is the dominant language, where the Padres and the Spaniards are pushing their influence toward my people. In my time, Los Californias will become California, and the Spaniards will be driven away."

"What? The Spaniards are driven away? I, uh-"

"Come with me. I have things that I need to show you that will make you believe me." Motioning her hand to him, Esteban stood and held it. Metztli led him out of the garden and toward her room. Inside, with the door closed, Metztli got her bag and showed him her phone.  Seeing the phone made Esteban flinch, and then he became stunned when it was turned on. He watched as Metztli used it and showed him everything it had. Esteban saw what were called 'pictures.' Pictures of Metztli with her friends, family, and in different places. Places he had never seen before. Metztli then stood beside him, holding onto his waist. "I am going to take a picture of us. Don't be afraid. Try to smile."

Esteban saw his and Metztli's image on the phone. He was too stunned, but he mustered a smile, the best he could. Metztli also smiled and took the picture. She then showed Esteban a picture of them both.

"How is this possible?"

"It is a sort of technology from my time, Esteban. The phone captures our image, and this is used frequently in the future. Look." She then showed a picture of Victoriano and Mitena. 

Esteban realized and accepted that Metztli was speaking the truth. "Y-You truly come from the future..."

"Yeah. I am sorry I hadn't told you sooner but with everything that happened, I could risk saying anything."

"Why are you telling me this now?" Esteban asked in an almost faint whisper. 

Metztli noticed his tone, and she felt that her answer was something he didn't want to hear but had to. "I-I can't stay here, Esteban. I can't stay in this timeline. I have to find a way to return home. If I stay too long, I am afraid it could affect the future. I'm afraif that I might never see my family again."

Esteban bit his lower lip while looking away. Not only was Metztli from the future, but she wanted to go back. He believed they would get married and have a family, but it was never meant to be. "Y-You don't wish to stay here? With me?"

"When you asked me to marry you. I never felt so much joy in my life. It's difficult to find a good partner in my time, but I can't live in a lie, Esteban. If I don't go back to my time, it can affect my fanily or something worse. I want to be with you but it can't be possible. I have no choice. I need to return."

Both were silent. 

Metztli felt terrible for breaking Esteban's heart. He was the type of man she always wanted, but they were from different eras. She wanted to speak to him, but he beat her to it. "I understand. I can't be selfish. It is no wonder why you were so different and fearless. It brings me joy that women in the future have such strength."

His response was unexpected, and Metztli struggled to speak. "Esteban..."

"Get some rest, tomorrow we all have to leave. I will see you tomorrow morning for we will meet at the Mission's entrance." Esteban left and walked far from Metztli's room until he returned to the gardens, where he saw the plates of food they had left behind. He sat on the bench while looking at the flowers. His vision blurred as tears formed and dripped from his eyes. 

He cried.