Mike's Wrath

All eight women were brought back at the same time, and all of them looked terrible.

Bri was holding her knees to her chest and rocking back and forth. Alex was having the beginning of a panic attack. Gabby and Lucy were motionless while they held hands. May collapsed, her legs shaking wildly. Ashley was frozen, looking at her hands in horror. Gwen was hugging herself with tears running down her eyes. Penny barried her head in her hands and kept mumbling "I'm sorry" over and over again.

Mike looked at all of them in shock and horror.

"What did you do to them?" he asked.

"They faced themselves in ways one can only imagine," said the Director who was calmly standing next to Summer who's eyes were glued to the ground. Mike clenched his fist and whipped around.

"WHAT DID YOU DO!" he snapped, his voice making all eyes go to him, even if some of the girls couldn't process what was happening.

"I assure you, they will be fine," said the Director in a neutral voice. Mike stormed right up to him.

"THEY'RE TRAUMATIZED!" he snapped, but the Director didn't react.

"They needed to do this in order t-" he said before getting cut off.

Getting cut off by Mike's fist connecting to his jaw.

The Director stumbled back, the **** of the blow nearly knocking him over. Summer gasped as everyone was frozen in shock. When the Director recovered, he looked at Mike and smiled.

"There it is, that's what I wanted to see. That protective and loving instinct that you need to be a Master. You can use that as fuel," he said gleefully. Mike growled and thought about punching him again.

"I shall allow you to move on with the show. I hope you all the best," said the Director before he disappeared.

It took a while for Summer to find her voice.

"Y-you guys need time. Be back in two hours," she said before disappearing. Mike stood there for a moment and took some deep breaths. Then, he walked over to Bri and pulled her into a hug. His sister broke down crying into his shoulder. He held out his arm to everyone. Gabby and Lucy didn't hesitate and hugged him, their own tears falling. May grabbed onto Alex's hand, calming her down a little before pulling her into a hug. Mike was able to grab Gwen's hand and pull her into the hug. Ashley looked at Gabby and broke down, running into the embrace. Penny lowered her hands and looked at the others.

For the first time in her life, she really saw them. Not as tools or obstacles, but as people.

"I'm so, so sorry," she said, bowing her head.

The Director was right, this was the hardest thing.