The Truth Isn't Always Golden

by Toni G Burn

Secrets. They can be as deadly as swords. Antonio has too many to number. Sometimes you keep secrets to protect the ones you love. Will the other rangers accept that he is different? Will they turn away from him? But most of all, will they understand his motives? It's a struggle for these 6 rangers, one that may tear them apart or bring them closer together.

2. Normal?

Mentor came out after tending to Antonio.

"Will he be alright?" Jayden asked.

"I'm sure he will be. He swallowed a lot of water though. He keeps saying that he's fine, but he's running a fever."

"Can we see him?" Jayden asked.

"Yes, you can," Ji answered. Mike, Kevin, Jayden, Mia, and Emily went into the recovery room. Antonio was lying in the bed, scowling down at his hands. The Rangers were surprised. They hardly saw anything besides the ever-present grin on Antonio's face.

"What's the matter?" Emily asked, although she had a pretty good idea what it was.

"I told Mentor that I was fine and he's making me stay in bed!"

"It's for your own good," Mia said.

"Mia's right," Kevin said. Mike and Jayden agreed.

"Yeah, well, I'm going to be fishing by tomorrow," Antonio replied. The Rangers shared knowing looks.

"Get some rest, we'll be back later," Emily said.

A few days later, Antonio was back to normal, or so everyone thought. The Rangers were training outside. Kevin and Mia were sparring, and Mike and Emily were also paired up. Jayden was showing a new move to Antonio; Antonio was a fast learner. He tried the move out and by the third try he had it down, so Jayden started sparring with him. Antonio was a bit slower than usual. Jayden seemed to know that Antonio wasn't back to his old self yet, and he took it easier on him.