Wednesday
As Tuesday night turned into Wednesday morning, Sydney wondered how she would be able to make it to the weekend. She had been so careful not to arouse suspicion, but her lack of sleep was giving her away. She had seen the concerned looks the others sent her when they thought she wasn't looking. Sydney promised to make a bigger effort to go back to her usual cheerful self, if only to avoid questions and well meaning friends.
It would be hard to be usual cheerful self when the first item on the agenda for the day was extra training on the obstacle course. On a good day it was a struggle to get through. How on earth could she make it this time with so much on her mind and few hours of sleep?
She was not a quitter; and her pride kept her from begging out of the exercise though her mind and body begged her to.
"Z, Sky and I will go first." Jack decided thoughtfully. "Syd and Bridge you follow behind." He directed as they began the course.
Syd started strong, her body used to physical exertion from their constant training and battles, but she quickly became fatigued as the mental anguish overwhelmed her. Her body felt empty and weak as she forced her muscles to keep going, no matter how much she wanted to collapse. Breathing became a chore, as her tired body was desperate for a break.
"Come on Syd." Bridge encouraged from his perch atop the rope wall that she was staring at. She threw herself over the water pit and reached for the rope to pull herself up. Grunting she was halfway up when her arms gave way and she fell into the water. "Are you okay?" Bridge shouted as he jumped off the wall to come to her side.
Unhurt but embarrassed Sydney tried to get up but her body refused. Angry at her body for betraying her and absolutely exhausted, tears began streaming down her face.
"Come on, let's go in." The green ranger offered kindly, his hand reaching down to help her out of the pit.
"No. I have to finish." The determined girl protested even as she stumbled. Bridge was quick to catch her and pull her out of the pit.
"Syd, you're in no condition to keep going." Bridge insisted forcefully. His concern for her went from mild to severe in an instant. Whatever was bothering her was tearing her apart. Under normal circumstances, Syd was the encourager to the team and the first to offer help. As her teammate and friend, he couldn't let her go. If she couldn't see that she needed rest, he would make sure she got it. He informed Jack of his decision and led the soaking pink ranger inside.
Sydney changed into warm clothes, but refused to lie down in her room, instead working on hospitality for the weekend. She was oblivious to Bridge's watchful eye. He was tempted to read her aura, but knew she would kick his ass if he did so without her permission. Though if she got any worse he wouldn't have a choice. He would have to override her sense of privacy in order to ensure her safety.
He was relieved when she finally gave into her exhaustion. He took her folder from under her head, pulling a blanket over her sleeping form.
"What happened Bridge?" Jack asked as he entered the common room after he had finished up training exercises an hour later.
"She all but collapsed out there, falling off the rope wall." He explained to the red ranger. "It was not in her best interest for her to keep going. She might have gotten hurt." He concluded truthfully. Jack didn't miss the worried look on the green ranger's face. Truth be told there were all starting to get worried about Syd.
"You made the right decision Bridge." Jack reassured him. "I don't know what's going on with Syd right now, but she better get on track soon or… I don't know what to do." He admitted his cluelessness on how to help their teammate.
"Maybe she's having a few bad days." Z offered joining them after a nice hot shower to ease her aching muscles. Sky had followed right behind her, joining the circle of conversation.
"Maybe." Sky repeated uncertainly. It unnerved him to see Sydney so reserved. She was so always so cheerful; to see her otherwise was disturbing. Not that she didn't have the right to be upset once in a while. But he wondered what was the cause of her recent behavior? 'There must be something we don't know.' He decided uneasily.
The yellow ranger sat on her bed bored, waiting for her roommate to wake up. When she finally stirred, Z began firing questions at her sleepy friend. "Good, you're awake." Z declared happily.
"Why?" Syd asked suspiciously. Z was never that happy, let alone over her waking up. She sat up in bed, trying to alert her mind to the incoming barrage of questions. Apparently she waited too long because Z was waiting for an answer. "What?" She asked in confusion.
"Let's go shopping. I need a new outfit for the weekend." Z stated, hoping this would set a fire under Sydney. She could never turn down an opportunity to go shopping. But she was met with silence as Sydney refused to meet her eyes.
"Sorry Z." The pink ranger apologized, not feeling like going anywhere right now, not even the mall. "I just want to be alone for awhile." She replied much to the yellow rangers shock as she left the room.
Z wasn't offended, just confused. 'Maybe the boys are on to something." She mused thoughtfully. "Syd's acting really weird.' She thought about Syd's recent behavior.
"Now I know something's wrong." Z fumed interrupting the boy's card game as she stormed into the common room.
"What Z?" Jack asked amused at her dramatics as Bridge and Sky looked up curiously.
"She didn't want to go shopping." She announced in disbelief. Her comment stopped the card game in its tracks.
"I don't believe you." Sky declared doubtfully.
"She said she wanted to be alone." Z added softly.
"So what do we do?" Jack turned to the other rangers for some input on how to reach the distressed pink ranger.
