The Sullivans
It was a month after I managed to trick Mila into letting me into the Orphanage. The law did everything in their power to seek out my "Mother" but of course they never found her. When I first arrived here, I worried that someone get suspicious of me. So eventually, I snuck my way into one of the staff's office and was able to print a false identification. I did this before, at a different Orphanage years ago. I knew how to make it look flawless and precise. I ended up printing it and hid it in my backpack.
Boisterous children screamed their heads off as they played happily. Laughter and giggles of bliss filled the entire building. I found the children annoying, they never shut up! I dreaded being around them, they reminded me of true innocence. The small children were just a reminder of what I yearned for in life. I always wanted a child to nurture and love. I truly wanted a little girl I could call my own. To make it simple, I desired a family of my own.
I sat in the small art room, I decided to draw flowers and animals in my free time. I was talented at art, my drawings were vivid and lively. I hummed to myself to keep myself from dozing off. I hummed the sweet tune of the song, "The Glory of Love." It was a song I treasured when I was a little girl. It reminded me of my childhood, during the time, my Mother was alive and well. She was a loving, meek woman who loved and cared for me. She loved that song and sang it to me when I would go to bed.
Suddenly I heard two voices I never heard before outside the room. Curious, I inched towards the door which was opened a crack. I peeked through the door crack to see a couple. A man and woman conversing with Mila. I studied them, their backs were turned to me so I can't see their faces. From their accents, I could tell they were foreigners.
"I'm positive the children will be delighted to meet you!" Mila chirped. The couple turned around and made their way down the hallway. An idea hatched in my mind and I smiled evilly. I stepped out the room and forced myself to fall to the floor clumsily. I heard a sharp gasp and I quickly felt warm hands pulling me up. Within seconds, I'm face to face with the woman. Her face was brimmed with worry and compassion. "Are you okay?" She asked me. Immediately I realized she was an American. I was born to a Russian Father and a Hungarian Mother, but I was raised in Estonia. I knew Estonian, Russian, Hungarian, and thankfully English. "Yes." I said shyly. The woman was taken aback by my knowledge of English.
"Sorry, that I fell. I was in a rush." I whimpered. I picked myself up and lowered my eyes to the floor.
I then looked at the couple, my eyes grew wide at the woman. I stared at her swollen belly.
"It's okay, darling." My attention was immediately captivated me by the man's voice. I was instantly attracted to him as I laid my eyes on him. He was tall and hunky, with golden blonde hair and soft blue eyes. He wore plain blue jeans and a red T shirt. The woman was quite pretty, she had high cheekbones, wavy red hair, and glistening green eyes. She was slender and had a graceful figure, she wore a pale blouse and a dark long skirt. They looked young for a couple in their mid thirties.
"I know a few things about being clumsy." the man chuckled. The woman let out a giggle and grinned.
I made sure I appeared shy and reserved. I need to charm them! I thought gravely. I opened my mouth to speak, but Mila approached us from behind.
"Oh I see you met Mercedes." She said. "She's brand new here."
The woman's eyes widened. "New, huh?"
I worried that a child would come and ruin everything somehow. But thankfully we were all alone in the hallway.
I cleared my throat and made sure I sounded sweet and innocent. "My name is Mercedes, but most call me Mercy. What's your names?" I greeted them.
The woman smiled brightly as she introduced herself to me. "My name is Sarah Sullivan," she gestured towards the man. "And this is Ryan Sullivan, my husband." Ryan gave me a warm smile and I flashed him one back.
"It's a pleasure to meet you two." I said politely.
Sarah kept smiling. "Wow! Your accent is so cute!" She exclaimed.
Ryan asked me a question in a relaxed voice. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mercy. How old are you?"
"Eight." I lied.
"Well you sounded very mature for a eight year old." Ryan joked.
"You can go into the art room, so you can have a place to sit." Mila then beckoned us back into the art room. Sarah sat in a small chair and Ryan stood by his wife. I hopped in a chair in front of them. My heart raced with excitement. Mila stayed silently in the background, watching us. I wanted Mila to disappear, I didn't hate her, but I wanted to be alone to charm the couple. Sarah placed her hands on her belly. Her eyes softened. "Mercy, how did you end up here? If you don't mind me asking.."
"My Mommy just didn't want me anymore…" I made my eyes fill up with tears.
Ryan was alarmed and Sarah was horrified.
I continued my story. My voice is pitiful and low. "I...don't know what happened. My Mommy met this guy...and she got so mean!" I started to weep. Sarah put a compassionate hand on my shoulder, I looked into her eyes. She was tearing up!
I went on and sniffled. "Her boyfriend was gross!" I screwed up my face. "He liked to touch me and kiss me!" Sarah looked like she was going to throw up in disgust, Ryan narrowed his eyes, pissed.
"Where was Mommy?" Ryan urged, his voice was upset and disgusted.
I wept harder. Thankfully my makeup was waterproof and lasting. I put on many layers this morning. "She just told me to stop whining, she would hit me and scream at me all the time.." My voice drifted off. Ryan shook his head, Sarah wiped a tear from her eyes.
"Then she left me. She told she didn't want me and left me." I lamented.
Sarah sniffled and forced a smile. "Well you're very brave, Mercy. You're a strong person, sweetie."
Ryan chimed. "Good thing, you're here. You can find a nice family."
I smiled when he said that. I then acted stupid. "Why are you here?" I asked innocently.
"Well, me and Mr. Sullivan are looking for the perfect little kid for our big family." She said with a small smile.
I raised my eyebrow. "Big?"
"Yep," Sarah then held up five fingers. "Five beautiful daughters."
"Wow!" I exclaimed. My heart soared at the thought of them having a small little girl for me to be "Mommy" to. Sarah pointed to her belly, "Well there's gonna be another baby girl pretty soon." She beamed.
I gazed at her stomach. I was always admired the beauty of pregnancy and loathed the fact I would never carry a child in my womb. A real single tear of raw emotion rolled down my cheek.
"She'll be lucky to have parents like you," I whispered softly. Sarah and Ryan exchanged a quick look to each other.
"You know….you can be lucky too?" Ryan suddenly urged. My eyes widened. "What do you mean? Are you…...adopting me?"
Sarah didn't even wait. She reached over and gave me a half embrace. Her belly bumped me too much. "Yes!" She exclaimed. "You deserve it."
I grew a smile that went ear to ear. "Thank you!" I squealed happily. Then I wondered about my "siblings." "What's your kid's names?" I asked politely.
"Well Kelly is our oldest. She is sixteen. Our second daughter is Gabby, she's fifteen. Jackie is our third, she's fourteen. Annie is our fourth, she's adopted!" Sarah emphasized on the "adopted" part.
"Really?" I mouthed like I cared.
"Annie was a foster kid and we adopted her when she was very little." Sarah explained proudly. "She's thirteen."
Ryan chimed in. "And our youngest is Blake. She's eight." Ryan finished. I felt a pang of bliss and broadly smiled.
Sarah made a strange sound and put her hand up to her mouth. "I can't believe I forgot…" Her voice drifted off. With that she reached in her pant pocket and pulled out a picture. "Here," Sarah handed the picture to me. I gazed at the Sullivan family in awe. The entire family posed for a picture outside on a sunny day. Sarah was probably not pregnant at this point because I saw no bump on her. Next to her was I presumed was Kelly, she was tall and dark haired with round red glasses. Then I looked at Gabby, she was quite pretty. Her face was flawlessly painted with makeup, she had wavy, dark brown hair and glistening blue eyes. She was slender and thin, one foot shorter than Kelly. She was the only person in the picture to do a spirited pose for the photo, she wore a green cheerleader outfit, her expression is frozen with exuberance. Jackie looked nothing like her siblings at all. Like Gabby, she was very pretty. She was sylphlike with straight copper hair and glimmering green eyes. She had a dimple smile with rosy cheeks and freckles on her face. Despite being an adopted child, Annie looked like she was blood related. She had straight brown hair, high cheekbones and bright brown eyes. Then my heart flustered when I saw Blake and Ryan. Blake was cute and small. Her light brown hair was curled up and prim, her smile was wide and bright. Her blue eyes were lit with happiness. Everyone in the photo was smiling, frozen in bliss.
Without thinking, I let out a high pitched giggle and embraced Ryan. I wanted to kiss his neck so badly. I wanted her so badly. Ryan embraced me back and gave me a light kiss on the cheek. I blushed profusely and struggled not to make out with this hunk of a man.
The only people I cared about was Ryan and Blake, to hell with the others! I didn't care much for Sarah, she's a pawn in my game. Soon I will either get rid of her or kill her if it comes to it. I looked at Sarah, she clearly adored me. She fell in love with a figment, sweet little Mercy who loves hugs and kisses. I thought about how she would feel if she discovered my true self. I let out a amused giggle as I thought of that.
I smiled with pride. Now my name is Mercy Sullivan!