Neophyte

Eternal Bloom

Mitena was in her home grinding herbs.

There was nothing else she could do to help stop the stress and worry. It was only a matter of time before the villagers began asking questions about the whereabouts of Toypurina and the others. Mitena didn't want to think of the worst.

She wasn't alone since Valentina was with her, making jewelry. "Thinking about them?" Valentina asked.

"I cannot help it. I am worried for them. They do not have the weaponry to fight against the Soldados de Cuera."

"Nonantzin, you must not think of the worst. What will you gain?" Valentina chuckled. "Only grinding herbs to the point that they are unviewable."

Mitena looked down at the herbs, realizing that she overgrounded them. "Oh." Sighing, Mitena stood, picked up the wood she had received from another villager, and put it in the center of the kitchen. "I know that worrying will not have uses, nopiltzin (my child). I cannot help but worry since people I love may get hurt or worse."

Valentina knew that her mother had every right to worry. She didn't want to admit that even she was worried for everyone, especially for Metztli. She had been imprisoned for a long time. Valentina thought of the worst possibilities, but her heart told her that Metztli's spirit was still strong. 

Metztli was still alive and safe. 

"I worry too, Nonantzin. I also think about Metztli, but since she has a strong spirit, I know she will be safe." Valentina continued to do her jewelry, but squinted in slight pain. She felt the being in her womb moving and had been hitting and kicking her insides. The movement had been constant and painful every time. Valentina believed it was normal in pregnancy; she didn't tell her mother due to not worrying her. 

"How are you feeling, Nopiltzin? Any new movement or feeling from your pregnancy?"

"Movements here and there."

"I know you have been through so much, and I didn't have the time to speak with you fullheartedly. I was worried about your feelings regarding your pregnancy and-"

"Nonantzin. I know you worry, but this is my choice. I will not lie, I do have some hatred toward this being. I fear that when it is born, it will look like...him. I still have nightmares; it hurts."

Mitena slowly walked and sat before her daughter. Valentina was focused on her craft. "I am sorry that I wasn't there to protect you. I know that Victoriano still has guilt for not protecting you. We-"

"Enough with the guilt and pity. It hurts me. I have been healing the best I can, and if I hear more of this, then none of us can move on. Besides, Metztli is my granddaughter from the future. She was conditioned from her time, but meeting us and seeing the truth brings me hope and joy. Metztli will be the voice of our people of the future. She now knows herself and her people's history." Valentina looked up from her crafts and to her mother. "So, we and the next generation will have to keep enduring pain and suffering for the future generations to bring peace once again."

Valentina's words made Mitena's heart skip a few beats. Her daughter had hope. After so long, Mitena saw light in her daughter's eyes. "Valentina, you-"

"Aggghhh!" Valentina yelled in pain, dropping her crafts to the ground. She clung to her stomach. 

Mitena immediately held her daughter. "Valentina, what's wrong!?"

"I-I don't know! I feel pain! It's getting stronger."

A pop echoed, and water spilled beneath Valentina.

Mother and daughter noticed.

Valentina's water broke.

"N-No! This cannot happen yet! It is still too early!"