"Mercy? Mercy, are you okay?" I did my hardest to ignore the concerned voice of Alyona. I sequestered myself in my bedroom closest, my knees up to my chin, my muscles quivering like a leaf. I felt like a frightened child, hiding from the imaginary monster.

Alyona doesn't care about my purposeful silence to her incessant calling. She possessed an unwavering spirit. Our bond is resolute and she is adamant on staying by my side. "Please, Mercy, everything is going to be okay. Clementine want to play with you!"

I kept silent. My mind was swimming with terrifying thoughts. Within seconds, Sister Wanda will enter my domain. She is a prominent figure in my life. Whatever she says goes. I recalled Wanda's irresponsible behavior. From crashing the damn car into a pond in an intoxicated state to brutally beating me and Alyona, to roughly grabbing me and slapping me.

Realistically, any social worker would instantly strip away the child away from the dangerous household. But in my case, I can't afford to leave this home.

Alyona persisted. She knocked lightly on the closet door. "Mercy, Mercy, please. Come out. Nothing bad is going to happen! I promise." She reassured me. Alyona's voice grew sharp with determination. "I am not leaving your side, Mercy! Everything will be fine! We're family, Mercy! Nothing bad will happen!"

I decided to listen to Alyona. Hiding in this closet will do me no good. I forced myself to stand on my unsteady legs, my entire body felt heavy. I trudged to the door and I unlocked it. When I opened the door, I am met with the presence of my little sunshine.

Alyona smiled at me beautifully and embraced me the second I exited my closet. I embraced her back, all of my anxiety regressed and was replaced with euphoria. I was completely enamored by my darling daughter.

Tender tears welled up in my eyes. I pulled away from me and I smiled at her. "I'm fine…" Alyona interrupted me with a firm voice.

"We could do what you did the last time. Just eavesdrop and see."

I felt like bricks fell onto my head. My mouth dropped in utter shock. "Um...um…" I was tongue-tied.

Alyona gave me a small smile. "We just need to focus on not getting caught." Alyona encouraged. Her cheeks grew reddish. "I just really, really hope we don't get caught. I really want to hear the meeting."

I was just stuck with astonishment. I expected this out of Constance, not Alyona. Granted, Alyona is not like Constance in any sense. Even though this was out of character for Alyona, I understood her action. Loyalty is Alyona's strongest trait.

I nodded in approval. If we did get caught, I already resolved that I will take the complete blame for it to protect Alyona.

Alyona tiptoed to my bedroom door, she beckoned me to follow her. "Come on," She whispered softly.

I followed her, walking as slowly and cautiously as possible. We both exited my bedroom into the hallway. There I saw the harrowing presence of Sister Wanda in the flesh. She did not see me or Alyona, she sat on the sofa chair across from Wanda and Cole, both residing on the long couch. The sheer glimpse of this woman sent shuddering chills down my spine. This woman is here to decide to my future. I don't trust Wanda to use her common sense. I desired the presence of Constance, but she has isolated herself with little Clementine.

Me and Alyona huddled by the banister looking down below. Both of us silent, our light breathing is in sync. I felt slightly comfortable with Alyona by my side.

Sister Wanda sat upright, her dark eyes flashed with authority. Wanda is swift to start the discussion. "Sister Wanda, Mercy, and Alyona has been very troublesome. Mostly Mercy." Wanda stated. I observed Cole, stirring uncomfortably.

"FUCK YOU, Wanda! FUCK YOU, BITCH! FUCK YOU!" I roared furiously in my head.

"She lied to me, she pushed a girl and broke her leg, she…." Cole came to my defense. He spoke in a defensive, but respectful manner to Sister Wanda. "No, I am very sorry, but it is very important to note that Mercy confirmed that it was an accident. She has been a sweet angel since she arrived." I smiled brightly at this.

Then Cole defended Alyona. "Alyona is just as a sweetheart as Mercy. She always listens and is just an angel."

I heard Wanda release out a disrespectful scoff. "Mercy has very difficult recently. So many terrible things has occurred and….and...Mercy is….acting out!"

Sister Wanda then spoke. Her voice full of dominance with open compassion. "I am very sorry for your loss." She said sincerely. "I have also heard of the Warner's deaths as well." The firmness took over her voice. "The concerns you informed me are very alarming. Especially the little girl and the push,"

Cole continued to defend me. "She did not push her. Ava slipped and she got hurt!"

Wanda turned to her husband, venom flooded her voice. "Cole, her Mother, Ava herself, and Jessica all said otherwise!" She rebuffed.

Then her tone became grave. "But I have heard other concerning stories about you, Wanda." Both Cole and Wanda grew silent. Wanda shrank as she looked directly into the eyes of Sister Wanda. "You were arrested after driving your car into a pond. You were charged with a DUI, reckless driving. You are facing charges of child endangerment.."

Wanda looked like a deer in headlights. "It was an accident. I was so overwhelmed with grief…" Tears began to flow down her cheeks. "I didn't know how to cope. I was just…...lost…" Her voice cracked with despair. "I would never harm them! I love all of them with all of my heart!"

Sister Wanda was kind but resolute. "I understand. But you did endanger all of the children's lives." She stated.

"Sister Wanda, I have been going to therapy, I lost my license! I can't drive! I have to have my friends drive me everywhere! I am willing to take any punishment from the judge. I know what I did was wrong."

Sister Wanda nodded solemnly. Then her voice grew soft, too soft for us to hear. She spoke ever so softly to Wanda who has broken down into tears.

Frustration grew within me. I thought Wanda would get her karma and Sister Wanda would be on my side.

It was a full minute when the discussion resumed to the original subject.

Wanda's voice was rigid. "Mercy and Alyona has been such a massive issue for me. I think it's because of everything that happened lately. But now, it's gotten worse. Mercy injured a girl last week and Alyona and Clementine both covered for her. Alyona has been having her moments as well."

Cole remained adamant. "Alyona and Clementine were there and they said nothing happened."

Wanda scoffed once again. "They're covering for Mercy. Maybe even Constance. They're all peas in a pod."

Cole responded by coldly scooting away from his wife. "Mercy and Alyona are harmless, nothing is wrong with them." He insisted.

Wanda shot out her hand that she has long bandaged up. "Mercy bit me! She went berserk and bit me!" Wanda's voice grew high pitched. "Alyona tackled me to the floor like a football player! They tag teamed me basically!" Wanda seethed. "How blind are you?"

Sister Wanda remained composed. "That is all concerning. Mercedes caused very little trouble in the Orphanage. She never got into fights and anything. Alyona is a kind girl that always follows the rules. Both of the girls were inseparable since they met. So hearing all of this uncharacteristic behavior is very disturbing."

Wanda took on a sour tone. "Well, they have been a nightmare for me!" She said offhandedly.

"Wanda…" Cole started.

Wanda was not having it. "NO," She raised her voice. "Just no. It is the truth." She showcased her hand to him once again. "Look at what she did!"

Cole just sighed deeply.

"So Mercedes bit you and Alyona tackled you, correct?" Sister Wanda probed. It wasn't a question. She nodded to herself thoughtfully.

"Well, I am afraid that I have the same sentiments as you, Mrs. Weiss." My heart dropped to my stomach. Alyona stared on with terror flashing within her beautiful eyes.

Cole scoffed offended. "Are you kidding me? You just said Mercedes has been an angel since the day you met her." He pointed out.

Sister Wanda nodded slowly. "I know. And for the most part, Mercedes is a sweetheart. A polite and refined little girl. But…..troubles tend to occur around her."

Fuck! Fuck! I thought in my mind terrified.

Cole sat upright in his seat, his body language is rejecting all of Sister Wanda's words. I could tell all of this was madness for him to hear. "No, no, Mercy did not push Ava on purpose! Mercy would never hurt a fly!"

Wanda grew red in the face. "Excuse me? This bite says otherwise!"

Cole ignored his idiotic wife. "Please, listen…" Sister Wanda cut him off by simply putting up a dominant hand up.

"Mr. Weiss, I need to finish first." Sister Wanda said firmly.

"Before Mercedes arrived at this household, Mercedes had issues similar to the ones she is currently having here. Many strange incidents occurred around her. One incident involved one of her adoptive sister reportedly being pushed off of the playground. Another incident is a little boy from her old school. There was a little boy in Mercedes's classroom that tripped and stabbed himself with a pair of scissors. All of those times, Mercedes is right there. Always. When she was at the orphanage, there were times when fights would occur around her. One incident is when a girl informed me that Mercedes was harassing her. There were a few incidents that I frankly do not have much evidence towards Mercy, but she has been accused and implicated by several. There was a young girl that fell straight out of a dorm window. Mercedes was reportedly the only person in the room. Another incident was where a girl was strangled and her friend came forward and implicated Mercedes in the attack. Now, there was no proof or confirmation from the victim, but the fact that Mercedes was implicated was concerning. But the worst of all was the Sullivan fire. It was an arson. The arsonist has never been found."

I caught a glance of Alyona looking at me pensively. I stared on in utmost shock. All of my evil deeds is coming to light at the worst time possible. I never hated Sister Wanda until now. I loathed this woman's existence. Every fiber of my being despised this bitch.

Wanda appeared appalled by all of this, she covered her mouth with a shaky hand. "All of that!" She exclaimed.

Cole, bless his heart, still fiercely defended me to the end. "No!" His voice grew stronger and stronger every passing second. "Half of all of the things you listed all sound like coincidences. Her adoptive sister fell and because Mercy was there she is guilty? No. Considering the Ava situation, Mercy was playing and she fell." Cole gestured to emphasize his baffled state. "A kid stabs himself with some scissors. What does that have to do with Mercy? Unless Mercy tripped him, that kid stabbed himself because he was clumsy. Mercy simply being at the scene is not a sign of guilt. And now you are accusing an innocent and sweet eight-year-old girl of killing her entire family?"

Sister Wanda looked Cole directly in the eyes. "Mr. Weiss, I am sorry but I am afraid that there is something wrong with Mercy."

Cole shook his head stubbornly. "I don't believe it!" He declared. My heart swelled up with gratefulness.

"Cole!" Wanda became livid. "Do you understand what she is trying to tell us? There is something wrong with her!"

Cole remained unwavering. "No! No! Stop! Mercy is an orphan. She lost her family! She is a little girl."

I felt like cheering for my man. I loved him so much!

Sister Wanda was not having it, she kept her voice calm, but she was resolved in her outlook on me. "I feel like we need to do more research into Mercedes's past. I am planning on contacting her old orphanage about her." She reported. "We need to know what we are dealing with."

"We are dealing with a little girl. An orphan girl who would never hurt a fly!" Cole proclaimed.

"I know that it is unthinkable to believe a child can commit such evil, but…"

"But nothing!" I could tell Cole was struggling to maintain respect for Sister Wanda. "Mercy is innocent. Just because random things happen around her doesn't mean she is guilty. She causes me no trouble and is just an angel! For Pete sake, she is an orphan! She lost her family, she has been through so much in her life! Now you are accusing her of crazy stuff! This is insane!"

"Cole, we must know what we are dealing with!" Sister Wanda insisted.

"The hell you will! Your days are fucking numbered, bitch!" I thought darkly. I have taken the complete obligation of becoming the Grim Reaper. I will be the one to end her pathetic existence on this Earth. She is a threat I need to eliminate!

I contemplated what weapon to use. A knife. A hammer. Both? I desired her death to be slow and agonizing as possible. When she entered my domain, she crossed the line. She is now my prey in my territory!

My homicidal thoughts became overwhelming, so overwhelming that I lost all interest in listening to the meeting. There was nothing else to listen to, I already know what I must do.

I slowly rose to my feet. I grabbed Alyona's quivering shoulder. The poor thing was completely shaken by this. I bent down to whisper in her ear. "We need to go!" I said urgently.

Obedient as can be, Alyona stood up slowly and we both retreated back to my bedroom without a sound. Immediately, I put on a overcoat and sat on my bed with a tearful Alyona. I embraced the emotional child warmly.

"Everything will be fine. I promise you!" I planted a sweet kiss on her forehead.

Alyona sniffled. "I thought this family would be different…." Her voice trailed off and a broken sob escaped her throat. I knew exactly what to do, but I had to wait for the meeting to be completely over. It was several minutes later when Sister Wanda finally began to depart.

"I need to go!" I said urgently. I swatted a hand at Alyona, silently urging her not to come with me.

"Why?" Alyona inquired. I gave her no answer and I rushed out of the room and downstairs. I ran blindly to Cole's little office near the basement.

"OW!" I found myself colliding with Clementine. We both tumbled to the hard floor.

I scrambled off of her hastily. "Sorry, Clementine!" I signed to her swiftly.

Clementine stood up, unharmed, and signed at me. "What are you doing?" She was dressed in her winter wear, seconds away from going outside.

My words just spilled out of my mouth without forethought. My mind lacked all emotions, only logic. "I need your help! Mommy is going to take me away. There is a mean lady who is going take me away!" I made sure my face was pitiful. Clementine was completely under my thumb, evident to her big eyes becoming tearful with empathy. Even though I love Clementine, she is the perfect helper in this situation. Mute and deaf at the same time. She is the perfect person to be a witness in this crime.

"I'll help you!" Clementine vowed. With that, I wasted no time and we both darted into Cole's office. A small and comfortable looking office with a glass desk, an expensive computer, and surrounded by shelves. On one of the shelves, I saw a hammer.

I grabbed it, imagining me bashing Sister Wanda's skull with it. "Let's go!" I signed to Clementine as I concealed the hammer within my overcoat. Clementine caught a glimpse of the hammer and her eyes began to hardened. I had very little time to wait, immediately grabbed Clementine and I rushed out of the house through the backdoor.

Cole and Wanda were nowhere to be seen. Before I know it, me and Clementine were dashing through the backyard and into the thick forest that surrounded us.

Next chapter will come soon. Working on chapters for Aishi family, but Mercy will come out first.