Neophyte

Choice

Metztli felt that she was seeing the devil itself. Her lips trembled; her body felt like stone. "H-How...?" she whispered. 

"How was I able to stay here? It was quite simple. I had to convince these fools that the way of the Lord changed me, and I had convinced them that your people were planning for a rebellion."

"What?" Metztli immediately recovered from her shock. She backed herself against the prison's wall; it was going to be impossible to escape. "It was you? You were the one who convinced them that I knew something about a rebellion?"

"Yes."

Metztli's hands turned into fists. "Gah! How dare you!? You damn liar! There is no rebellion!" Federico remained silent, and it angered her even more. "Why!? For god's sake! Why are you doing this!?"

Federico stood silently, then slowly turned toward the prison door to ensure the Soldado didn't enter. When there was no indication, he returned his focus to her. "For you."

Metztli tried to speak and yell, but she became stunned. Taking a fistful of her hair, she screamed, "For me! Me!? I don't have any interest in you! I never will! You monster!"

Federico slowly went to his knees; his eyes filled with desperation and insanity. "I thought that I could get over you. I believed I could hate you for making a fool of me. Not seeing you made me go insane with despair. I wanted to see you even if you viewed me with hatred. I will finally confess to you and before god that I am damned in my desire for you. That I would be willing to go to the utter pits of hell to have a glimpse of you." 

He tried to motion his hands toward her, but Metztli slapped his hands away. "Don't you dare touch me! You monster! You sick bastard! Valentina was right! Your type of people are devils!"

"Call me whatever you want, Metztli. I will take it. Your words bring me nothing but joy. You looking upon me fills me with joy. A reason to live."

"Ugh!" Metztli looked away from him; she felt that Federico's words violated her. "You're beyond reasoning with! Leave me alone!"

"You wish me to leave you, though knowing that you will be punished? Beaten?"

"I don't feel sorry for what I've said. Fermin got enraged when he was told the truth. If I am to face punishment, so be it."

Federico raised his eyebrows. "You speak with courage, but will you hold such sentiment when you face the whip? It will be a pain beyond measure. You will surely break and die."

The mention of the whip brought Metztli back to reality. The memory of watching and hearing Anna Maria and Juvencio in pain as their skin was being shredded into pieces made her tremble violently. She was slowly becoming afraid, but then she remembered that what Valentina went through was much worse. What her people had gone through: torture and enslavement. Metztli then remembered her husband, who made her feel alive and happy. Being part of her culture again brought her happiness; her identity. Her fear was gone.

"I know. If I die, then I will die happy. Happy that I finally found who I am, who I come from, and that I married the man I love."

Federico violently trembled. Her words echoed in his mind. "Wh-What?" When Metztli didn't respond, he immediately went and violently grabbed her arms. "What did you say!? Marry! Who did you marry!? Wait, it is that Soldado, Esteban, isn't it!?" Metztli refused to look at him. Federico squeezed her arms, but he shook his head. "No, your marriage is not accepted in the church. Your marriage is void. You-"

"That is your church, your culture, your belief. We do not follow yours. I am married in the eyes of our beliefs. I accepted my husband, and he accepted me."

"Y-You..." Federico let her go as he was trying to process everything that he had been told. "You gave yourself to him, didn't you?"

Metztli was slightly confused at the beginning, but then realized what he was trying to ask. "That is none of your business!"

Federico then went to her again, but then violently grabbed her throat. He forced her to the wall while squeezing her neck. "You gave yourself to him, didn't you!? You whore!"

Metztli tried to push him off of her, but he overpowered her. His eyes were filled with insanity; she hoped that the Soldados would have heard what was happening and would have entered by now.

They didn't.

With the strength and freedom she had, Metztli yelled, "We didn't do it yet! I was brought here moments after we wed!"

Suddenly, Federico's grip on her stopped. "Wh-What?"

Metztli coughed and hacked while trying to regain her breath. "I didn't have sex with him! We didn't have the chance since I was forced here after our ceremony!"

"Y-You didn't give yourself to him?"

"Help! Help me!"

Federico tried to quiet her. "S-Stop! Forgive me! Forgive me! I lost control! I didn't mean to hurt you!" Metztli didn't listen as she continued for the Soldados. "Metztli, please stop and listen! I know that you will face possible punishment! You will be lashed! You may not even live! I would not bear to see you in pain! I can help you!"

"You, help me!? I will never ask for your help! I would rather die!"

"You do not mean that! If you die, then what of your precious friends!? Why do you think the other reason I have told Padre Fermin and the Bishops that you knew something of a rebellion?"

Metztli stilled momentarily, and her eyes widened. "No..."

"It was to have all those fools killed. Padre Fermin and the Bishops made my plans come to fruition more easily than anticipated. I couldn't get you into the crossfire."

Suddenly, the door opened, and two Soldados entered. "Padre, perdónennos, pero estamos aquí para informar a la prisionera que será azotada (Padre, forgive us, but we are here to inform the prisoner that she is to be whipped)."

"¿Cuando? (When?)"

"Mañana. Discúlpenos, pero no tiene permitido recibir visitas (Tomorrow. Forgive us, but she is not allowed to have visitors)."

Federico looked at Metztli as if pleading with her to reconsider his offer.

Metztli wrapped her arms around herself and looked away, silently. She made her decision. 

Federico walked out of the prison and immediately ran to his room, closing the door behind him. He covered his face with his pillow and screamed in agony.