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

Chapter 8

Mara was suspicious of the girl she was walking with. "Where are you taking me? What is your name?" she demanded, hurrying to keep up with the girl.

"Renegade Headquarters; confidential," was her only response. This really piqued her interest. Confidential? Why Renegade Headquarters?

"But," Mara noticed, "this isn't the fastest way to HQ."

"Observant, are you?" she commented. "But yes. We're going to your house to tell your father the situation. Then you're going to meet the Council."

Mara frowned. She couldn't find any reason why she would need to meet the Council, when they had plenty of other citizens to deal with.

"Why? What did I do?" she wondered aloud.

The girl smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "You know what you did, Miss Umidore."

How did she know her name? And was what she had done unusual? Even dangerous?

"No one else can do what I just did. Right?" She knew the answer, but just had to be sure.

"Correct."

They neared her father's house, and the girl went up to the door without hesitation. "Renegade official business," she yelled, knocking again.

"You're going to scare him!" Mara whispered. "Couldn't you just let me go in first?"

The girl turned to her. "I really don't have time for this, Miss," she said.

"Then let me go. I didn't do anything to you so leave me alone. Please, I promise not to do that again. I don't want to go against the Renegades. Let me live my own little peaceful life. Please."

The girl looked at her quizzically. "What you just witnessed was exactly why you might go against the Renegades. It's hard to forgive someone after that." She said it all so casually; as if she were talking about the weather.

Mara's father came to the door. "Yes? Is there something you need? I'd be happy to oblige any requirement." He gave a tired smile, annoyed at being woken up at such a dark hour.

"I think we should go inside," the girl said simply.

Sitting down at the dining table that was made for two people was awkward for Mara, who always gave her chair to visitors, but the girl insisted on standing. Mara knew it was so that she looked more powerful. It worked, too. She looked menacing.

"You are Hamel Umidore, are you not?" At his nod, she continued, "This young lady, Mara Umidore," she started, pointing at Mara, "has shown symptoms of being a prodigy. I feel it is best to bring her in front of the Council. She might even become one of us. The important part is that she needs to learn to use her power. Without proper training, she cannot be allowed in regular society. For her own safety, and ours, this is an important decision. I wanted to inform you of this development. I will escort her to Renegade Headquarters. If you would like to join us, you may. If not, it is perfectly acceptable for you to remain here. Is that clear?" She looked from Mara's father to Mara, waiting for confirmation.

"Yes, that is understood," they said in unison.

"All right then. Mara, come with me. Mr. Umidore? Are you coming?" she ordered.

"I'm sorry, but I really need to rest. First, though, how do we know you're a real Renegade? You're in civilian clothes," he asked.

She smiled. "Of course." She reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of parchment. After reading it, Mara's father nodded, satisfied. The girl took the paper back without showing it to Mara. She was disappointed but didn't let it show. It didn't seem like asking about it would do much good, anyway.