The rest of the day became a blur for Metztli. It was difficult for her to concentrate on removing the husks from the corn while Valentina gave a lesson on the language. Valentina couldn't help but notice that Metztli looked thoughtful. "Amocualli (Something bad happened)?"

"Huh? Sorry, what was that?"

Valentina stopped what she was doing and sighed. "If you want to learn the language, you have to start speaking it. It is the only way you can become proficient."

"Yeah, but I'm barely learning, and the language is complicated."

"It is only complicated if you make it so. I want you to ask me questions on how to say words and responses." Valentina noticed that Metztli wasn't looking at her. Something was wrong. "Something is troubling your mind."

Metztli flinched as she removed the husk from the corn she held. The truth was ingrained in her mind; Guillermo and Valentina were the children of Mariana and Victoriano. What made it worse was that Metztli knew the truth; she didn't like to keep secrets.

Valentina gently shook her; Metztli violently flinched. "Oh, sorry about that. What were you saying?"

Valentina sighed while throwing her piece of corn into the wooden basket. "Never mind. It would seem you wouldn't be able to pay attention. What's troubling you?" She could tell Metztli looked uncertain. "And don't lie to me. I could tell that something was. Now tell me."

Metztli looked at the corn she held and felt as if the inside of her body were on fire. "I have been thinking a lot about my family lately. I'm slowly becoming homesick." She felt disgusted with herself.

"Oh, right, you were a traveling herbalist, though you haven't done much healing."

"I guess you could say I wasn't given much opportunity. I still miss my family." It wasn't an entire lie. Metztli felt homesick and missed her family. She didn't know how or why she was in the past, and how it was possible. Was it a possibility that something supernatural happened? Did the Mission have a secret portal or..."Is there a possibility that the souls of those who died in the Mission wanted to show me what happened in the history of the Mission?"

"Tell me about your family?"

"My parents wanted me to travel since they educated me. I know that for a woman, it is unheard of, but after they experienced much hardship, they wanted me to be better. You could say that they wanted me to live my life and let me go."

"Wait, are you saying your parents sent you away, alone?"

Metztli's parents would never send her away if she were in her timeline, but she had to be convincing. "Yes, though it was painful for them. My father was very ill and feared that he would eventually die. My mother was old. My parents felt that since it would only be a matter of time before they left this life, they wanted me to travel and try to make a life they never had."

She looked at Valentina, who sat silently and listened. "So...you do not know if your family is still alive?"

"No, but with the conditions they were in, I have a feeling that they are no more." Metztli let out a humorless laugh. She despised herself for lying; her parents were still very much alive, though her father was in the hospital. Her father was diabetic and didn't take care of himself as he should have.

Valentina held her hand.

Metztli couldn't believe it. The touch created a strong connection that was difficult to describe. "I cannot imagine being sent away like that, even if it was for a better future. I imagine that you have experienced dangers from traveling by yourself."

"Yes and no. My parents taught me how to survive certain situations, and I also trained myself in some self-defense moves. It helped me a great deal, especially against those who viewed me as nothing more than a weak woman." Metztli noticed the sun setting and knew Esteban would be waiting for her. "Oh, look at that, it's going to get dark soon, and Esteban invited me to have dinner with him."

"I see. It would seem that he likes you."

Metztli felt her face turn warm and looked away. "I-I wouldn't say that! We-We're just friends!"

Valentina stood up, holding the wooden basket full of corn. "I don't believe he views it as such, though I would be careful. No matter what, he is still one of the people who killed for our land. Come on, we have to take this to the village, and you can meet with your FRIEND."

Metztli groaned as she took her wooden basket, not knowing that Valentina silently snickered. 

The young women went and gave the baskets of corn to the older women who were cooking. Metztli excused herself and walked all over the village to try to find Esteban, but he was nowhere to be found. While looking at the river, she noticed someone familiar. Metztli ran closer to where the individual was and yelled out, "Manuel!" Manuel was on the other side of the river, washing his face. He was surprised to see Metztli. "Hola, Manuel. ¿Has visto a Esteban (Have you seen Esteban?)"

"Ah, sí, lo vi preparando un fuego. Había terminado de cazar conejos y los estaba preparando.  (Ah, yes, I saw him preparing a fire. He had finished hunting rabbits and was preparing them)."

"¿Podrías decirme dónde está para poder ir a verlo (Could you tell me where he is so I can go to him)?"

Manuel pointed north. "Sigue recto y lo verás. (Keep going straight, and you will see him)."

Metztli smiled and nodded. "Muchas gracias, Manuel. Hasta luego (Thank you, Manuel. Until then)." She continued to walk forward until she noticed faint light and smoke. Esteban stood and moved sticks closer to the fire. "Esteban?"

Esteban flinched as he turned around. He sighed in relief, "Metztli, it's you! You gave me a bit of a fright."

"Sorry about that. I guess one shouldn't sneak behind a Soldado."

He chuckled as he walked closer to her. "It wouldn't be a good idea since a Soldado will always do what is needed to protect himself. I am glad you arrived. I got us rabbit, though it's not easy to hunt them."

"Rabbits, eh?" The thought of eating rabbits gave her chills, but people in the past had to eat wild animals to survive. "I imagine that they're fast furballs."

Esteban chuckled. "Furballs, eh? I haven't thought about that." He motioned her close to the fire, and she obliged. They sat close to the fire; the furless rabbits were cooking. "I brought some bread and some corn, although I barely started cooking them." The two sat silently before the fire as food slowly cooked. Neither said anything, and Esteban felt foolish. "I invited her, and I can't have a conversation." He glanced at her and noticed that she was thoughtful. "So, what do you think of the village?"

Metztli got out of her thoughtful gaze. "Oh, it's a beautiful village. It feels like home." 

"The people are friendly, but I know many are cautious, since we're Soldados de Cuera. I can't blame them."

"They see you as people who arrived and made them feel like second-class citizens within their homeland." Esteban was surprised; Metztli noticed and believed she was blunt. "Sorry, I didn't mean to say it rudely after experiencing and seeing everything in the Mission, well, you know."

Esteban sighed as he turned the corn. "What you said was the truth, but we're not all the same. Many of us disagree with how the Tongva and other Natives are treated. Believe it or not, many Soldados are Mestizos, not only Criollos."

"D-Do you plan to be a Soldado for the rest of your life?"

Esteban didn't think too much about his future. Being a Soldado was all he had known. "I don't know."

"I remember you speaking about your adventures. Maybe you should travel more and write a book. You could also write about your experiences of being a Soldado." Realization hit Mettztli, and quietly asked, "Do you know how to write?"

"A little."

Metztli's face shone. "Maybe I can help you! I know how to read and write perfectly, and I can help you write about your life and about your adventures!"

Esteban raised his eyebrows and then massaged the back of his neck. "Quite an idea, but who would want to read about the life of a Soldado? Not many people can read and-"

"It doesn't matter." Metztli gave him her full attention. "For those who can, they can read a different perspective. Understand its joys and its pain. Words can make a difference; words are powerful."

Esteban felt his heart skip a beat or two. Metztli was full of surprises; she made him feel special. He didn't want to admit it, but he yearned for someone to notice and understand him. Metztli was the only one who wanted him to pursue what he wanted in life; she wanted to help him achieve his goals. 

"Uh, Esteban, I think the food is burning."

Esteban got out of his thoughts and noticed the rabbits were getting burned. "Oh no!" He immediately got the rabbits away from the fire. They were burned. "Ohh..."

Metztli laughed. "They're crisped." She immediately went to him and retrieved one of the sticks, then gently tore a piece of the cooked rabbit. "Ah, but the meat still looks good inside. We shouldn't waste food, and we shouldn't judge on appearances." She ate the piece and swayed her head. "Not bad, crispy but still good. I also think the corn is done. Are you ready to eat?'

Esteban nodded as he watched her get the corn and sat back down in his seat.

The duo ate their food as they continued talking and eating their food. They enjoyed the sounds of the fire, crickets, and the sound of the river.

They eventually finished eating their food; Metztli looked up at the night sky. She lay on her back on the ground to get a clearer view. "It's been a while since I have seen so many stars."

Esteban was amused and decided to follow her lead as he lay on the ground next to her. "I thought you always saw stars during your travels."

"I have been traveling a lot, and I have been so preoccupied with surviving that I hardly had enough to relax. Sometimes one forgets how to take it easy and see the night sky; it holds its beauty and wonders."

"You are right. We are all trying to survive this life, and we forget moments like this. I remember how afraid I was of the dark."

Metztli turned to Esteban and asked, "You were afraid of the dark?"

"I used to when I was a child, but I find more comfort in it. I used to believe that the stars in the sky were God's angels to light our way in the darkness. It helped me overcome my fear."

His smile slowly faded; Metztli noticed. "But your perspective changed. Is it because of what you have experienced as a Soldado?"

"It's not only from what I have experienced but also what I had to do just to survive. I have done many things that I am not proud of. I dream of them frequently."

Being a Soldado wasn't an easy task, and Metztli couldn't fathom the thought of what Esteban had to do. Esteban looked guilty and saddened; he was a gentle soul. "What you're describing is post-traumatic stress disorder."

"Post-traumatic what?"

"I met people who are traumatized by their actions. It's an illness not only in the soul but also in the mind. A person who is a pure soul and is given the task to taint it can lead one to be traumatized by it."

Esteban fell silent as he gazed up at the night sky, his hands clenched into fists. Metztli tried to see the good in him, but he felt that he had killed all the goodness in him. "I wouldn't say I had a pure heart and soul. I-"

"You may not admit it, but you do. Otherwise, you wouldn't feel guilt from what you have done. What have you done that troubles you?"

He looked the other way. "I don't want to-"

"Esteban." Metztli reached out and gently patted his shoulder. "We all have our regrets and secrets, but the more you keep them in, the more they will destroy you. I won't force you to tell me, but one day, I hope you will find it in yourself to tell me."

"I-" Esteban wasn't able to speak since a strong echo was heard from afar.

The two immediately sat up, looking toward the village's location. "Wh-What was that?" Metztli asked, concerned.

"It sounded as if it came from the village. Hopefully it's not trouble." Esteban immediately stood as he turned off the fire. "If the village is being attacked, I want you to run as far away as possible." Metztli looked as if she wanted to argue, but he wouldn't have any of it. "You will not argue with me. Do you understand?"

Metztli nodded; both ran toward the village. Many thoughts and possibilities went through her mind. She couldn't help but think of the worst-case scenario and hoped it wasn't the case. They ran toward the village as fast as they could, and when they drew closer, Esteban's men gathered together but didn't enter the village.

"¿¡Qué está sucediendo!? (What's going on!?)" Esteban asked as he stopped running.

"Señor, también escuchamos los gritos y pensamos que había un ataque. Nos dijeron que una de las mujeres estaba dando a luz, pero no nos permiten entrar al pueblo (Sir, we also heard the screaming and thought there was an attack. We were told that one of the women was giving birth, but we're not allowed to enter the village).

Metztli froze when she heard the news. She then remembered what she had overheard Mariana and Toypurina. There was an adolescent girl who was raped by a Soldado de Cuera and became pregnant as a result."I'm going to find Mariana and the rest to see what's going on." Before Esteban could say anything, she ran off into the village.

Many villagers were going to a certain kizh, and she knew where to go. The closer she got, the louder the screams became. The villagers surrounded the kizh, and many looked confused while others were concerned. Metztli pushed through the crowd while calling out to Mariana, Valentina, and Guillermo.

"Metztli?"

"G-Guillermo?" She saw Guillermo and Valentina standing in the front row of the group. "I-I found you two! What's going on!? I heard that-"

"One of the young women is giving birth. Our mother and the other midwives are inside tending to her," Guillermo answered.

Valentina bit her lower lip. "From what I have heard, she is very young. Younger than I. I cannot imagine the pain she is going through to bring a child that was forced upon her." Valentina knew, and she spoke with venom.

"How long has she been like this?"

"An hour ago, we think, Toypurina and the other midwives checked on her earlier in the day, and it looked like she was giving indications of labor," Guillermo answered. "We hope to God that-" He noticed his sister giving him a deadly glare.

"Do not bring your God here. Look at the harm that it brought to our people."

Metztli got in between them. "We shouldn't argue amongst ourselves. It's not the time and place. All we can do is hope for the best."

Everyone silently stood outside the kizh where the adolescent girl was giving birth. Many of them said a silent prayer to their Gods and Goddesses for the adolescent's well-being. 

Metztli wanted to pray, but for the first time, she was conflicted. Conflicted about who and what to pray for. Valentina made a valid point. Her God allowed such suffering to the Tongva. 

The screams stopped; there were muffling noises inside the kizh.

Mariana walked out of the kizh, her eyes riddled with sadness. Her children and Metztli went to her. "Nonantzin, what happened?" Valentina asked.

Mariana looked at her children, Metztli, and everyone who stood patiently. "The poor child had a difficult labor, and she didn't survive. Her child did not survive either."