Shy and Angry

Once Alexandra stopped laughing, Circe could finally start introducing the next contestant.

"In contrast to the previous one, our fifth contestant is someone who actually lives close to our Master. So close, in fact, that they live in the same building. The reason why our dear Marcus here wasn't aware of it is because she doesn't like going out much, preferring the tranquility of her apartment or a quiet stroll through the woods to hanging out with other people. Here we have... Alice Milner!"

A spot lit up once again to reveal the latest contestant, who quickly shrunk on herself with a surprised noise. She had long, light brown hair hanging down to her seat and behind which she was apparently attempting to hide, and she was wearing a brown hoodie a couple of sizes too big with a pair of jeans and sneakers.

Marcus was a little shocked. Not by the choice of the contestant this time, but to learn that she lived in the same building. He did see her pretty regularly, but he wouldn't have guessed that she lived so close.

In the meantime, Catherine decided to interact with Alice. "Are you alright?" All she got was a short nod before Circe moved on.

"And now, for our sixth and last contestant. It has been a while since our Master last saw her, just a few months this time though. It was at the pool, our dear Marcus decided to try and get some exercise, and that's where he went. It didn't do much for him, but there he saw a young woman that everyone talked about, a future pro swimmer... Or she would have been. Our last contestant... Wilhelmina Hartman!"

Marcus was a little confused at the ominous statement... Right up until the spotlight revealed that the last contestant wasn't sitting in the same chair as everyone else. She was sitting in a wheelchair. Her legs were side by side and slightly to the side, in a position that couldn't be comfortable for long, and they looked so thin, even through her pants. She was also wearing a hoodie, a dark purple one, and a pair of sneakers. As his eyes finally found her face, still framed by the dark brown hair he remembered, he realized she wasn't so much looking around than glaring at everyone. And then she spoke. "The fuck are you looking at?"

Marcus couldn't help but be distraught. What happened to her? The last time he saw her, she was swimming with a smile on her face and everyone was talking about how she was going to go pro, but now... Now she probably couldn't swim, or even walk for that matter. And as he looked at her, trying to think of something to say, she only seemed to get angrier, though thankfully Circe intervened before she could say anything.

"Well, now that everyone is here, it is time to explain the rules of our show!"