Mariana sat by the fire, watching Metztli. She couldn't believe everything that had progressed. Mariana feared the worst when Esteban told her that Padre Federico may have done something to her. She hoped Esteban made it before the Padre did anything else. 

"Mmmnnggh..." Metztli was slowly waking up.

Mariana stood, walked, and sat beside the young woman. "Metztli?"

"Nnnooo...get away..."

"Metztli, it is I, Mariana, you're safe, child." 

Mariana gently put her hand over Metztli's, making her violently flinch and sit up in the bed. "No, get away from me! Away! Away! Away!" Metztli slapped Mariana's hand away. 

Mariana flinched from the slap, but she couldn't blame her. "Metztli, please, calm down! It's me, Mariana! You're safe! Esteban saved you! Please calm down!"

Metztli frantically looked at her surroundings. The door suddenly opened, and Guillermo entered. "Madre, are you alright!?"

"Do not come closer, Guillermo." She focused on Metztli, who was hyperventilating. Mariana gently held onto Metztli's face. "Take deep breaths, look at me. It is I, Mariana. Remember?" 

Metztli looked around and realized that she wasn't in the church and noticed Mariana. "M-Mariana? How...?" she said while shakingly holding her elder's hands.

"Esteban brought you to me from the church. You are safe. Try to calm yourself." Mariana looked at her son, "Guillermo, please leave us and help make breakfast." Guillermo looked as if he was about to argue, but with one glare from his mother, he knew that it was best not to argue. He left and closed the door. Mariana slowly sat back down on the edge of the bed. "Esteban told me some things, but he wouldn't elaborate. Did...Padre Federico, do something to...?" The mention of his name made Metztli violently flinch again. "I shall not ask you again. If you wish to tell me, then you may do so, if not, then-"

"He's a monster..." Metztli said in a faint whisper. 

"What?"

"Monster..."

"A monster? You speak of him, right?"

Metztli put her legs in front of her and held them together. The memory of that couple being forced to have sex made her skin crawl violently. "H-He forced them..."

"Forced them?"

"The small house, on the table, and..."

Mariana closed her eyes, shaking her head, knowing what Metztli wanted to tell her. "There is no need for you to speak more of what you saw. Now, I know what you saw."

Metztli slowly looked at Mariana. "You knew? You knew what he was doing?"

Mariana sighed. "Victoriano told me what many of the Padres have done to our people. He didn't find out until one day a couple told them what one of the Padres forced them to do in front of them. That building you went to was described in previous confessions by our people."

"A-Are you saying that the Padres force our people to...?"

"Yes, but Victoriano ordered such an act to be banned, for it is a sin. It was difficult for him to get the other Bishops to agree, but the others relented. Padre Federico would seem to disobey the order." Mariana gently touched Metztli's hair. "I'm sorry that you had to see such a thing."

A knock on the door echoed in the room, making the women slightly flinch. "Mariana, it is I. May I enter?"

"You may enter, Victoriano."

The door opened, and Victoriano appeared. He entered as he closed the doors behind him; everyone was silent. Metztli didn't look at him; she was still traumatized from everything that had occurred. The Bishop slowly walked toward the women, where Mariana got off the bed; he sat beside Metztli. "Esteban told me what happened. You are not hurt, are you?"

"My heart, spirit, and faith are hurt, Victoriano. From what I have seen, how could anyone still believe in god?"

Victoriano raised his hand while shaking his head toward her. "Believing in god is never easy, Metztli; it is a special gift that one takes time to receive."

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! That's rich, coming from the likes of you. You have been graced to kill to protect the woman you love and had children that you felt you couldn't provide for and protect. You became a man of the Mission not because of your love for god but to protect your family, the children that you lied to all their lives."

"Metztli!"

"You think that all you do is for the greater good? It will only be temporary, and once you pass, our people will suffer again. Why is it that certain people suffer while others don't? Is it because god has its favorites, or was there never a god after all?"

The crackles of fire echoed in the entire room. Victoriano held his gaze on Metztli; he would have been angry to be spoken to in such a way. However, there was truth in what she had said. 

What could he say to persuade her?

Metztli was broken; he couldn't protect her. 

"Metztli, I failed you, and I will take responsibility." Sighing, he continued, "You can no longer stay here, for you will still be in danger. Which is why I shall offer you a choice."

"A choice?"

"I originally planned for you to live with some nuns who are good friends of mine. You will be safe and provided for."

"You can't be serious!"

"Or...you can choose to marry Esteban."

Mariana and Metztli were shocked. Mariana then remembered what Esteban had previously mentioned about a plan. "Was this part of the plan?" She stepped forward, "Victoriano, this is too sudden, Metztli can't-!"

"Choose Metztli, you have until the end of the day, or I shall choose for you. I am not doing this out of spite, but for your future." The Bishop stood up from the bed, walked, and opened the door. "You are right. God works in mysterious ways, and he can be unfair. I am not a true man of god, you are right. I failed my family, but I will not fail you. Remember, the choice is yours." He left the women alone.

Mariana looked at Metztli; she was lost. 

Meanwhile, Victoriano ensured that he was far from the women. He quickly walked through many hallways until he reached the Padres' quarters. Putting a hand over his heart, he tried to calm himself.

"How could anyone believe in god?"

Victoriano lied to his children; he killed and only converted himself to protect them, not because he wanted to serve god. Looking at dark gray skies and the rain, he slowly walked away from the building as the rain fell upon him. The cold air and rain slowly drenched him as the thunder echoed through the skies.

"Have you sent her to punish me?" It was painful to think about such a question, but it was on his mind. Metztli's sudden appearance changed everything. Meeting her, Victoriano couldn't help but feel a need to protect her. It was as if she were very special to him, though they had never met. 

Everything was falling apart. Victoriano didn't know how long he could fight on.

"Victoriano."

 Mariana stood in the hallway; she watched him get wet in the rain. "Mariana."

"Please get out of the rain. You will become ill."

"I feel that I already am."

Mariana motioned with her right hand. "Please. We need to speak. We must do so before the others awake."

Victoriano chuckled as he walked toward Mariana, holding her hand. It had been so long since he had done such an intimate act. Ever since he entered the priesthood, he couldn't show any affection for a woman. Today was different. 

Victoriano needed some comfort and reassurance. Touching Mariana's hand and seeing her, even then, made his heart soar.

Mariana then led him toward a storage room where the door was closed. She lit the single candle that was left. "Victoriano, Metztli told me what happened, what she saw."

"I know. I thought I could protect her here, where I would always be, but now I realize that it was a foolish idea. She needs to get out of here."

"Is that why you wanted Metztli to make a decision now? If Federico is given a chance to defend himself, then Metztli would be put at a greater risk, and I may be overruled if the others decide to send her away somewhere unsafe."

Mariana bit her lower lip, so that is why you gave her a choice where to go, but why give her an option to marry Esteban?" Her eyes widened with the realization. "Did Esteban think of the proposal?"

Victoriano nodded. "I was as surprised as you were, Mariana. I realized that he has feelings for Metztli. Though I wished Metztli to go with the nuns, I believe being with Esteban is a safer choice. He would love and take care of her. Esteban is strong and will take her far from here."

"B-But, do you think that Metztli will choose to marry him?"

"I don't know, but that would be the safest option that she would have. Metztli knows that Esteban is a good man. It would bring me relief that she would be safe with him."

"What about our children, Victoriano? I also worry for them."

"As do I, Mariana."

Mariana put down the lit candle on a holder and thought about many possibilities that could go wrong. "Victoriano, I am scared. I cannot help but feel that something terrible is about to happen. Our children may be in danger."

"I also feel that something is amiss, but I cannot think what it is. Once the news reaches everyone about what occurred, it will not be easy to convince the Bishops to send Federico away. Also, with Padre Lucas away, the situation is getting dire."

"Victoriano..." Mariana slowly walked toward him, gently holding onto one of his hands, as she used to when returning his feelings. "What if Metztli is right? Perhaps we should tell our children the truth about us."

"It would devastate them, especially Valentina. She is vindictive and will never forgive us for lying to her and Guillermo. My biggest fear is having my children hate me. I did all of this for you all. To protect you all." Victoriano gently squeezed Mariana's hand.

Mariana nodded. "I know that you wanted to protect us, but we could have had a better life elsewhere, farther than here. Imagine how we could have lived. Sometimes I wonder if this was the right path to have taken."

"I don't know, but it is too late to focus on the past. We must focus on the now. I will speak with the Bishops and Padre Fermin regarding the situation. Be with Metztli and ensure that she makes a decision as soon as possible."

"Victoriano, please. There must be another way."

"I am sorry, but there is no other way. I fear the Bishops and Padre Fermin will want her out of this since she knows too much of the dark secrets of this Mission. Metztli is right. I am getting older, and I will not be able to protect you all forever."

The look of his eyes changed; Mariana noticed, and she let go of his hand. "Wh-What are you trying to say?"

"You all need to leave this Mission. I have secretly saved enough money for them so that they can live comfortably with their future families. It is something we have always wanted for them."

"Victoriano, please, you are speaking nonsense. You-"

"It's my decision."

"Why can't we leave together? There is no need for us to hide and-"

"It is too late. If everyone knows the truth, our children will be disgraced. They will know of my crimes, and I will have to face them. I cannot do that to our children. You will go with them and ensure their happiness."

Tears formed in Mariana's eyes. "Please, don't do this..."

Victoriano opened the doors. "Go to Metztli and inform our children of my decision." Before Mariana could respond, he walked away.

Mariana was heartbroken.