Neophyte

Signal

Metztli was still in her prison cell; her dress was in disarray. Her long hair was tangled and was slowly starting to smell. It had been a couple of weeks since she was allowed to bathe. It was one of her many punishments by the order of Padre Fermin.

After her whipping, Padre Fermin asked her if she was ready to apologize and repent.

She refused. 

Due to her reluctance to apologize, Metztli was sometimes left to starve for days, but to her surprise, Manuel would arrive to her rescue. He would secretly bring her food and drinks whenever the Soldados were not around. 

Metztli was grateful to him. However, she advised him not to bring her too much, or the others would suspect him of helping her. There were times when Metztli would eat only small portions and hide the rest under the blanket she slept on. 

Manuel was her only sense of protection.

There were times when some Soldados tried to enter the prison and try to take advantage of her vulnerable state. She would scream, and Manuel would enter nd save her. He would sometimes lie that Padre Fermin wanted her unharmed and that he would punish anyone who did her any harm.

Metztli shivered at the memory of the times when she had close calls.

What slightly surprised her was that Federico hadn't visited her once, which suited her fine. She didn't want to see or hear him. Metztli knew that he had gone insane, but she wondered if Federico was still in the Mission or if he had finally been sent away.

Looking at the small window and at the night sky. Metztli bit her lower lip; she was losing hope.

Hope that Esteban and the others would come for her. She knew that they cared and loved her, but they still hadn't tried to come for her, much less see her. Metztli would often tell herself that everyone would have been put at risk, especially Victoriano. If he were ever to return, it could mean his death.

Still, it hurt that there was no attempt. 

For the first time in a long time, Metztli was losing hope.

The door opened, and Manuel entered with a small tray of food. "Metztli, te traje comida (Metztli, I brought you food)."

Metztli looked forward and offered a small smile. "Gracias, Manuel (Thank you, Manuel)." Looking at the food, Metztli was relieved to see some rabbit meat and bread. She learned that her people weren't always given meat because of the fear that it would give them protein to fight the Mission. Manuel gave her the tray of food and walked out of the prison cell, but didn't close it. His action didn't go unnoticed. Whenever Manue gave her a tray of food, he would immediately close her prison cell. ¿Manuel?"

"Me van a trasladar a otra misión (I am being transferred to another Mission)."

"Eh?" Metztli felt her mind go empty for a couple of seconds. "¿Otra misión? ¿Cuál? (Another Mission? Which one?)"

"Misión San Juan Bautista," he responded.

Metztli visited that Mission during her childhood. She remembered that she, her family, and many of their tribe visited their to pay their respects, but she forgot for what or for whom. "¿Cuando? (When?)"

"En dos días, pero no te dejaré sola aquí (In two days, but I will not leave you alone here)."

The meal was all but ignored; Metztli slowly stood up. "¿No dejarme aquí? ¿Quieres decir...? (Not leave me here? Do you mean...?)"

"Lo que quiero decir es que te vas de aquí (What I mean is that you're getting out of here)." Manuel reentered the prison cell and unlocked her shackles. "No puedo dejarte aquí solo. No podría olvidar lo que hiciste. Hablaste en contra de los Padres y los Obispos (I can't let you be here by yourself. I couldn't forget what you have done. You spoke against the Padres and Bishops)."