How Much I Know - a Renegades | Marissa Meyer fan fiction

Chapter 4

Mara recognized the figure. How could she not? It's a person clad in all black who tried to mess with her mind. Mara almost turned and ran hard in the other direction, but she stopped herself. She prided herself on giving others the benefit of the doubt, and if she broke that promise now, what would be left of her? Some days she felt that being "happy" was the only way she could cling to reality. Thinking about others was what literally kept her alive. It was her only special ability, and she made the most of her child-like features.

When she saw the black-robed girl dashing through the street, she couldn't help but ask of her intentions. Mara tried to convince herself that her decision was on the basis of "protection" for her family. But she knew that those thoughts were lies. Mara didn't exactly know what brought her to speak to the girl, but it wasn't at all in protection.

"Are you looking for someone?" she asked the girl. It wasn't a very helpful question, since the girl was quite obviously searching for someone, but Mara had learned long ago that saying something brightly and confidently is much better than saying nothing at all.

The girl's footsteps halted. "Yes, I am looking for someone, and I best be returning to my search." Mara noticed that this girl did not waste words.

She didn't either. "Who are you looking for?"

The girl hesitated briefly before saying, "Nightmare."

Mara took a step back without meaning to. Swallowing, she managed, "Oh. Right. Of course."

"Have you seen her?"

Mara shook her head, black curls bobbing. "I'm sorry, no, I haven't." She had been in her house, cleaning. She was the only one willing and able to do it, seeing as her father was working and her mother was dead. Mara's older brother, Jeffery, was always out with his girlfriend, drinking and vomiting all over the house.

The girl in front of Mara growled in frustration. Mara flinched. Her life's work was to make people satisfied and happy, and it pained her to witness another's suffering, even on the smallest level.

"I'm really sorry," she said. Unlike other people, who say sorry and don't mean it, Mara's words were sincere and believable. "If you can stay, though, I've got a pitcher of ice water inside. You look exhausted."

The figure didn't look at all the sort, the dark outfit contoured around tough muscle. She was barely visible anyway, covered in dark glasses and disguise. But Mara could assume that anyone outside on a warm day wearing all black from toes to crown and out running was going to be famished and sweaty by the end of any amount of time.

The girl's fists clenched. "No. I need to leave now." With that, she bolted away, traveling faster than Mara thought possible. She watched as the girl disappeared, turning a corner. Mara stood still, regret clawing at her stomach. How could she help that girl be happier?

She reluctantly turned her back on the place where the girl had turned and disappeared. She thought better of it, then, and turned back. "What the curse word," she thought, before bolting off to join the girl.

Mara tilted her head around the corner to find the familiar laundromat so familiar to her. In front of it was Nightmare herself, lying down on the pavement. Mara gasped. Her mask was off and was set beside her. Nightmare's face was human. Too human. A teenager, with black hair. She was breathing heavily, gazing up at the clothing hanging on the lines. She looked almost... peaceful. She was vulnerable. That was what made Mara surprised most of all.

Mara realized her mouth had been open. She quickly closed it and turned, poised to run back the way she'd come. It was the selfless act. Turn away and not bother anyone. It was what a normal human would do. A sensible person.