On Fire (Power Rangers Samurai)

99 - Ravenous / Consideration

"It's quiet here." Antonio took in the silence of the stiff atmosphere. Unlike the other rangers, he had never been to the monk's temple before. "Is it always like this around here?"

"Definitely not." Mike peered into the temples and down at the distant gardens as they proceeded down the stone path. No one was to be seen.

"Emily?" Mia noticed her walking strangely, almost as if she was staggering. "Are you okay?"

"I think I feel a little dizzy." Emily replied, invoking an immediate reaction from the rangers. Mia took Emily's bag while Mike slung one of her arms around the back of his neck.

"You do look pale... but how come so suddenly?" Mia noticed sweat on her neck.

"I'm sorry.." Emily knew that she was inconveniencing them. She didn't want to hold them back from searching for Jayden.

"Don't apologize," Antonio smiled. They were all concerned about her state.

"Lets head into the household." Mia looked after Emily as Antonio helped her onto Mike's back. "We should find Ji there."

"Rangers? Good afternoon." A monk approached and bowed before them. "We were not expecting your arrival."

Mia bowed politely in return, influencing Antonio to clumsily follow in her lead.

"The yellow ranger is asleep?" The monk asked, noticing Mike was carrying the blonde.

"Yes, she's tired." Mia hid the hostility in her voice as she didn't mention Emily's sickness.

"Ah, you all must be after such long travels. We'll prepare a place for you all to rest in the residence." The monk quickly noticed the other blonde wasn't in sight. "Is the red ranger not with you?"

"Isn't he here already?" Antonio raised a brow.

"Do you mean to say he arrived here?" The monk gave Antonio a confused look. "We never received a reply from him regarding our invitation. We have yet to see him."

Mike and Antonio's eyes met before observing Mia's reaction.

"Okay, he must be on his way here then." Mia remained calm and began to follow the monk.

"Let's take care of Emily first." She whispered to the rangers.

~~~

"Jayden?"

The red ranger heard another voice calling his name, causing his whole body to shake him awake.

Imprisonment had made him ravenously hungry. His hunger became so loud, it was as if he could feel cells resorting to self-destruction, feeding on his own body.

Over time, his body felt lifeless, as if he could simply fly up to heaven. But the ropes around his limbs bounded him to the unpleasant earth, keeping him from sweet, eternal peace.

On top of his hunger and pain, he was bored to a mind-numbing extent; leaving him to relive the decapitation he witnessed over and over again.