Is there a name for an overbearing atmosphere that swallows us? Is there a name for the stillness in the air that crushes you with oppressive tension? As I trudged to the wide backyard of the Weiss home, my mind raced with trepidation. Every thought in my mind contemplated where I could go. Is there a place I could run to when things are irreparable? I envisioned a paradise for me, a world where I was normal. A world where I am not longer Mercy, I am a beautiful and accomplished woman. I imagined a wintry wonderland that is isolated from overbearing society. A warm and simple cabin with a protective wooden fence is my home. I found myself baking sweet goods with my lovely children frolicking in the background. My dutiful husband arrives from work, loving and affectionate, he buries me in light kisses upon arriving home. I serve him his favorite meal every single day, cleaning the house and enjoying the comfortable environment. As my husband works, I care for my darling children. My children are all beautiful and sweet, they love me with all of their heart and I love them. I give them an endless amount of affection and love. I spent personal time with them by homeschooling them and reading them bedtime stories as they peacefully drift to sleep. My life was perfect. All of my horrible events in my life meant nothing anymore. I did not have to worry about the police. I did not have to worry about my violent mind committing evil acts. It was my personal heaven. I am determined to make that reality. I stopped in my tracks before we got close to the house. Both of the girls stopped as well. I turned to Alyona and pointed a finger to the snow. "Clean yourself."

Alyona's eyes bulged and she remained motionless. I didn't waste time, I scooped up a handful of snow and I trotted to her. Within seconds, I scrubbed the little girl's face, hair, and coat clean of blood. Her buttoned-up coat was not completely bloody, only small spots. Without thought, I hurried to the nearby river and dumped the bloody snow. When I returned to the girls, we immediately resumed our walk.

My boots crunched in the snow, the two girls are deafeningly silent. I swear I could feel the scorching eyes of Alyona burning into the back of my skull. I turned my head to the two girls trudging behind me. Clementine's wretched state invoked pity, her watery eyes flooded with distress and her skin is ashen.

But Alyona. Alyona is a dismal sight for me. The child I have once formed a tangible bond. The child that I personally befriended and cherished. My love for her is infinite, when I am near her, I have an emotion that I sporadically feel. A fervent emotion that drives me to desire to protect her and nurture her. I loved her to every single detail. Her lush ebony hair, her dazzling aqua eyes, her tender spirit, merely her existence gave me enough energy to wake up in the morning.

But now I felt like our love was one-sided. Alyona stared on at me with a thousand-yard stare. I imagine myself saying all of the right words to get Alyona to forgive me, but I know it will be harder than that. Now, I needed to dispose of my evil deed.

"Come," I said with a lack of emotion. We approached the treehouse, it towered over us. It was large and appeared spacious with firm wood. Before I arrived, it was Cody's treehouse. Apparently, he grew bored of the treehouse after three months of receiving it and now no one in the household visits it. So in other words, it was a safe place to hide the evidence.

I turned to Alyona and Clementine awhile also scanning my surroundings for onlookers. I pointed a stern finger to the ladder. I needed to ensure neither of them would flee. "Go," I commanded. Clementine was the first to go inside, she scurried up the ladder and into the treehouse. Then a sluggish Alyona and then finally me.

When we entered the treehouse, it was dim and cold inside. I felt the air surrounding us becoming oppressive. My lungs tightened like a vice. I was swift nonetheless, I scanned the area for anywhere I could hide my overcoat. I pulled off my bloody overcoat and I held out my bloody hammer. I then stepped on an unsteady piece of floorboard.

I remembered a piece of my childhood at this moment. There I was small and innocent, my Father nurtured me and cared for me with all of his heart. I was the apple of his eye. Every time I would ask for something, my Father would give it to me. He would have given me the moon if he could. One day, I asked for a treehouse and like clockwork, my Father began to build one for me. It was a small treehouse with a fun slide. I remembered how much I loved it and all of the blissful moments I shared with Father. Getting that treehouse was when he finally demonstrated his love for me and the rest is history. Being inside of this treehouse made me feel so many emotions. I felt like reality was merely nothing, a surreal sensation reeled throughout my body. I imagined myself reverting back into my innocent child self. There was no worry or care in my youthful world, my Father was my everything and my world was perfect. There was no terrible cloud of dread hanging above me and no blood on my hand.

I looked at myself in a small mirror hanging on the wall. When I see myself, all I could see is a monster staring back at me. I removed myself from the mirror and I focused on the piece of board. I bent down and I jammed the hammer inside of the overcoat. Rolling it up into a ball, I proceeded to pry the board out of the floor. I quickly discovered that this must have been Cody's place to stash. Inside was porn magazines and superhero comics. I rolled my eyes at this and I found myself chuckling. I don't know why. Just the thought of porn mixed with superhero comics just seemed hilarious.

I ceased my chuckling and I jammed the overcoat inside. I contemplated ways to dispose of all of the evidence. Swiftly, I placed back the floorboard. Now I had to deal with something else urgent.

When I whirled around to Clementine and Alyona, I found them both sitting on the floor, their stiff backs to the wall. Their knees up to their quivering chins. I have frightened the absolute shit out of them. But as I said many times before, I had to make they say nothing at any cost. I had to bend their little minds to my will. Clementine narrowed her tearful eyes at me, shooting me a betrayed glare. She swiftly signed to me. "You tricked me. You lied."

My voice grew cold, my tone harsh and apathetic. I signed to her with a cold expression. "It doesn't matter. You too will go to jail, just for helping me hide her." I told her. Realization flooded her small face and fearful tears dripped down her puffy cheeks.

Alyona opened and closed her mouth haltingly. I locked eyes with her and awaited her to speak.

It was deathly silent, so silent you could hear a pin drop.

When Alyona finally did speak, her voice was merely a broken whisper. "Why?" Tears flowed down her cheeks. Before I could answer, her voice grew high pitched. "Why?" She croaked.

I narrowed my eyes at Alyona. "You helped me. You too will go to jail, not only for helping me hide the body but for stabbing her yourself." I pointed a purposely accusing finger at her. I shifted the finger to her knee injury that was still bleeding. "You are my accomplices!" I signed and spoke at the same time. "Both of you helped me. BOTH of you will go to jail!"

Alyona wiped away her tears and stared at me in silence. Both of the girls looked on at me with wide eyes.

I promptly spoke to them, signing firmly. "I had to kill her. Because she was going to tell on me!" I pointed to myself as I purposely slowing down my movement. I gave the children a shy look, my voice softened. "You're not going to tell on me?" My voice cracked slightly. "Are you?"

Clementine swiftly shook her head.

"No…" Alyona sniffled weakly.

Silence fell upon the treehouse once more. I became gentle and soft-spoken, I had to put them on my side. I slowly walked over to them, a kind smile forms on my face. I did everything I could to make them feel comfortable. Not surprisingly, the girls are still shaking like leaves in a storm when I sit down in between them.

I wrapped my arms around Clementine, pulling her into a warm embrace. The embrace was brief and I immediately began to sign. "I love you, Clemmy. Everything is going to be fine." I reassured her. Clementine evaded eye contact with me, never once looking me in the eyes. I decided to give her space. Deep down, I know my efforts are futile but I am resolute to try. I promptly embraced a stiff Alyona. "I love you, Alyona." I planted a sweet kiss on her cheek. "You're my little sister," I looked her directly in the eyes. "I would never hurt you. I love you. You have nothing to worry about." I spoke in a slow and gentle voice. Alyona just simply looked me in the eyes and said nothing. My heart sank to my feet, I fought the urge to burst into tears. The forlorn silence was eating me away. I desired to have things to revert to normal. My sweet Alyona being gentle and meek, loving and trusting me endlessly. I wanted Clementine to bounce up and down out of sheer joy, I wanted to see her bubbly smile and her zealous energy. But I knew that there was no going back.

There we were, sitting in the silent treehouse. None of us uttered a word and make any sound. All of us think to ourselves. My mind spins as the silence persisted. I thought of Emma, another person I wished I ran into prior. She has assisted me in killing before. Constance would have been a better candidate. I felt plain stupid for forcing Clementine into this. To be honest, I was only thinking logically. A witness who can't speak and can only speak in sign language. Only Constance was fluent, Cole and Wanda knew enough pieces of sign language, but there are times when them and Clementine can't communicate. Her age was also a factor. Her mind is easier to twist and mold. I never planned Alyona to be involved. She came at the wrong time. I stared at the board I hid the evidence under. Despite all of the negativity, I did not feel remorse for killing Sister Wanda. I am glad that bitch is dead!

Then I heard the shouting voice of Ashley outside. "Girls! Dinner is ready!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. Ashley's cheerful and kind voice stuck out like a sore thumb in this madness. Then abruptly Clementine became brazen. Without warning, the small child roughly shoved her little hand into my face to stun me. She succeeded, making me staggering out of instinct. The little girl is nimble, she made a mad dash to the entrance. I threw myself after her, but the child is determined to escape my presence. Clementine fled from the treehouse and rushed into the house.

It was only me and Alyona. Ashley diligently climbed up the ladder and into the treehouse, she smiled at us kindly. "Hi, kids. Dinner is ready." She informed us. Then her eyes lit up with alarm upon seeing Alyona's injury. "Oh my God! What happened?" She gasped.

Alyona bit her lower lip, nervously glancing at me and the floor. Her words fumbled. "Um….um…"

I answered for her. "She fell. We were playing and she fell."

Ashley squinted her eyes. "Really? That looks like a nasty cut."

I nodded promptly. "Yes," I said bluntly. I stood up, looking Ashley directly in the eyes. "Do you know where the first aid kit is?"

Ashley nodded. "Yes!" She then beckoned us to come to her. She looked at Alyona full of concern. "Can you walk?"

Alyona silently nodded. She stood up and walked to Ashley with a limp. I followed her closely behind. With that, Ashley escorted me and Alyona out of the treehouse and into the house.

Next chapter will come soon.