A/N: I am so sorry that it took me this long to update my story. I've been busy with school and my life is very hectic right now. I have also been so busy with school and everything. I'll tell you, writing this is bringing back memories I which I'd forget. It took me a lot of nerve to start writing this. I have to thank CamFan4ever. She really helped me along and got me started. Anyways, on to the story.
Ordeals of Life
Chapter Three: A Plan
The winds and thunders sat in a group circle at Storm Chargers. All of them were extremely deep in thought. It seems that the rangers did only that nowadays. Every single one was very concerned. Of course, it didn't take a brain surgeon for them to figure out what was bothering them all. It was Cam. They tried their best to convince themselves that the samurai was a person that had a deep control over things, but lately it seemed like what was happening was far from it.
Dustin: "Guys, what are we going to do? I know something is seriously wrong with Cam. Call it a sixth sense if you will, but I know that Cam is hiding something. Shane, do you know anything to help us?"
Shane: "If you're talking about any information, no I don't. I'm just as clueless as the rest of you guys."
Dustin: "In all honesty, I'm not surprised that Cam has issues. I mean let's face it, he's a person who says he likes to be alone. Have any of you considered that the reason that he is so uncomfortable being around people is that no one wants be around him?"
Tori: "How could you say that Dustin?! You're saying you're trying to help us and you go off and say something like that!"
Shane: "Calm down, Tori. Listen, I know it may seem rude, but we have to consider all options as to find out what the hell is going on with our friend."
Hunter: "Still, I don't think he had to put it that bluntly." Everyone just stared at him for a few seconds. This statement was weird coming from the king of brooding. However, it seems like when it comes to friends, he's just as emotional as the rest.
Dustin: "Look at the facts. He always spends time down in Ops, the students at the academy never really talked much about him, and when we ask him what his school friends were like he changes the subject. He probably didn't have that many friends, which is why he spends time by himself. I personally think this is the cause of the issue."
Blake: "So what are you saying? You saying that whatever problems Cam has he brought on himself?! I can't believe that you would think that!"
Shane: "Listen, Dustin isn't trying to be the bad guy. He's Cam's friend, just like we all our. So, instead of attacking one another, why don't we stick together and find out what's going on?" This statement calmed everyone down. That came of no surprise. Whenever there was tension in the ranks, Shane was always there to lessen it. With a quick mutter of apologies from everyone, they quieted down and once again began to rummage through their heads as to what to do. Shane and Dustin realized that the Thunder brothers and Tori always teamed together against them as to what was best for Cam. But then again, that was to be expected.
Blake, Hunter, and Tori were the ones that were taking it the hardest. Even though Shane and Dustin did care about the wellbeing of all the rangers, both of them never really got to bond with Cam like Tori and the thunders. Everyone knew Blake and Hunter's reasons. When they first joined the team, they were almost just as introverted as the samurai. Both were full of shy, unnecessary, and mostly guilty attitude. Everyone tried so hard to make them feel that they were one of them; however, it just didn't register to them. Cam was the one who showed the most effort in becoming their friend. Every time they considered going away, Cam was always there to listen, to help, to comfort, and to persuade, even if they didn't want him to. The winds tried to do all of these things, but it didn't have the same effect when the samurai did it. Blake and Hunter understood that the reason that they took his advice was because in some ways, they were alike. All three of them were without family in some way, all of them were somewhat alone, and all of them had this uneasy feeling that they didn't belong. After they joined, Blake and Hunter kind of make Cam a third Bradley. They always felt that Cam was their family and they knew that they would always be there to help family.
Tori's reasons still remained a mystery. Practically all that she thought about was how the samurai was doing. She kept constantly reminding everyone to watch and check up on him. They all thought that they might as well hand-cuff themselves together if Tori wanted to check up that much. Everyone, preferably Blake, kept trying to calm her and find out why she was taking this very seriously. However, none of them have succeeded.
Tori: "Guys, the only way to help Cam is to get him to spend enough time with us. Listen, you all know how persistent he was with Blake and Hunter. No matter if you guys didn't want help, he helped you. That is what were going to have to do. Dustin, didn't you say that you wanted to take another camping trip with us?"
Dustin: "Yes, but I don't... oh, now I see. Hey, if we can get Cam to accompany us, we might be able to find out what's going on with him. However, you do know that he probably will decide not to go."
Blake: "I'll just talk to Sensei. He agrees with us that Cam needs to be more social. He'll probably find a clever way into making Cam come along with us. That should leave no problem."
Shane: "Cam is going to get very pissed when he finds out what we did."
Tori: "Who says he has to find out exactly what we did. Besides, if he finds out, who cares. We're his friends. We know what's best for him."
Hunter: "I hope you're right. Well, it should work. I mean, Cam is one of the strongest people I know. How much trouble could he be in?"
Cam lied still on his bathroom floor. He couldn't stop as the tears began to flow freely down his face. He never bothered to wipe them away when he was alone. In a way, it showed how miserable his life was to him. He had been vomiting all that day, and now he didn't have the energy to even lift his head as the room began to circle around him. This began to happen more frequently. He knew that the effects would go away soon, but the pain and burning in his throat was so excruciating he couldn't help but silently yell to himself.
Cam used the strength he had to pull himself off of the ground. The second he got up, he regretted as the room spun for a few minutes. After the dizziness had passed, the samurai slowly turned around and looked into the mirror.
Normal people would see a guy who looked sick. He had a sore throat, flushed face, a drunken expression, and weakening energy. Cam also had a bunch of bruises on his arm. He didn't know how he got those. Even Lothor's goons weren't that strong enough to cause those bruises. So the only conclusion he could come to was through his training. Every day, his workouts seemed to be getting harder and harder to complete for some reason. These bruises just added to the sick drunk look.
However, Cam saw more than that. What he saw when he looked in the mirror was sheer ugliness. Every time he saw his reflection, he saw its past of pain, depression, and uselessness. That's how he always felt when he was around Shane and the rest. He also saw the perfect example of the worst life you could have. All these thoughts heated up emotions inside of him that seemed to never go away. The small droplets of tears quickly became a waterfall as Cam tried to stop it to no avail.
Cam: "Oh, I hate you! Why don't you just go away?! WHY MUST YOU ALWAYS MAKE ME FEEL THIS WAY?!!" Cam raised his hand in the effort to hit the mirror. However, he couldn't bring himself to do it and instead hit it against the counter. He raised his now bruised hand to his lips and screamed into it.
Cam once again fell to the floor, but this time instead of weakness, it was because of bitter agony and defeat. Cam laid on his back, constantly kissing his hurt hand as the never-ending flow of tears dropped heavier. Each wound he got only added to the wounds deep within his heart.
"Oh God...w...why am I...like this?" Cam said trying to gasp for air. "What have I...I done...to deserve this? Cam slowly looked down at his bruised arms and weak body and screamed a cry for help. "What i...is wrong wi...with...me? Why won't anybody help me?"
Pretty soon, there was no more tears capable of being shed as Cam just lied on the floor. The symptoms were starting to cease and he was starting to get up, but not before silently saying to himself, "I know something's wrong with me. I just don't know what. However, I do know that I want someone to help me. Oh please, someone help me."
A/N: This chapter made me start crying. I hate it when I get like this. I still plan to continue this story as a way of letting my feelings out. Please review this and tell me what you think.
