Christian Anthony's POV:

"Don't worry, sir. She's safe now."

I take a deep sigh of relief. Imee was hit by a bullet in her shoulder...so that bullet wasn't get through her lungs...and her heart. But still, Imee's in bad condition today.

And the worst part is that...I heard that Imee was supposed to be the third-party in the negotiations between the protesters and the government. And since she's still unconscious...

"Umm...Mr. Gonzales, you will be our third-party negotiator for today. "

"Wa-wait! Whaaat?!?!" I was startled by what the mayor's secretary said to me. "I-I kno-know nothing about thi-this!!! Wha-why me?!?!"

"Don't worry, Mr. Gonzales. You will just make decisions according to your own judgement." The secretary clarifies. "But please...don't let ruin any sides. I don't want to bring any further strife between them."

"...sigh...I guess there's no other choice, do I?" I finally gave in to her offer. "Okay, I'll try my best."

As I leave the room to take her place, I'm still worried about Imee...what if she's having another convulsion...or even another cardiac arrest?! Sigh...O Good Lord...please take good care of Imee...please don't let her die...

It's in the town hall where the two sides met to discuss the agreement terms. The leader of the protesters sit side by side with the mayor of the town to discuss any further...I arrived just in time...

"Thank you, Mr. Gonzales, for coming." The mayor greets me. "I hope that you will help us in resolving this issue."

"Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I regret that Imee won't be able to take part of this talks...but I will try my best to help." I replied. "So tell us, gentlemen. What really caused this strife?"

"Yes, certainly." The mayor starts the explanation. "There was a severe drought happened in this town...incapacitating our farmers from producing any food. I've been trying to tell them that we're helping them to bring relief to the farmers through cash incentives and backup food supplies...but we're starting to lose those supplies but the farmers didn't understand."

"Huh?! What do you mean we don't understand?! It is you that didn't understand!!!" The leader of the protestors shouts at him. "You didn't know that you're incentives and goods is not enough. You should know that we have a big family to grow! Not to mention that this is our only source of living! How about you shift place with me?!?!"

Amidst the jeers from his fellow protestors, the mayor refutes back to them...

"Are you deaf?!?! I tell you that we are losing funds and supplies! We can't take any much longer!!!"

And the war of words broke out...the mayor exchanged violent words against the leader of the protestors...and the protesters themselves. The situation seems to be uncontrollable and turning very bad...as if the battle that happened in the streets will be sparked again right here in this town hall!

I-I can't speak a word! In my experience as the policeman, I'm never tried to solve even the simple problems of clients in the police desk! I'm afraid that I might caused it to make even worse! And now...this!!! The sake of the farmers and their families, and the stability of the town hangs in the balance! Oooh! What should I do?!?! What should I...huh?

"Surrender yourself to God...and you will get the strength to brave the storm...and reach your goal."

I heard this mysteriously sweet voice advising me...I looked around the chaotic room...but nobody's telling close to me. Perhaps this is what God is telling me. Alright...I make a deep sigh, make a sign of the cross...and shouted...

"PLEASE! CALM DOWN!"

My shout quickly stopped the two sides from getting close to a fistfight...and they turned back to their seats.

"Okay, Mr. Mayor. I only have one question, do you have any evidences that proves that you are already experiencing shortage of supplies?"

The mayor then approached his secretary and whispers to her. After a moment, the secretary returned and turns over a folder to him. After glancing the contents...

"Here it is, the papers that contains the balance of payments from lending money and supplies from the national government." The mayor describes. "Our government is been in a budget deficit for more than six months trying to provide several projects to keep the farmers out of trouble."

I let the protestors glance into documents to see for themselves. They are unconvinced on the contents of the paper...

"Hey! We didn't see this before!" The leader of the protesters commented on the document. "Where are these so-called projects that you have written here? It doesn't have anything to help on us! Don't tell me these are ghost projects?!?!"

"Hu-huh?! Wha-what are you talking about?! In my eight years as your town mayor, I didn't have a single time cheating at you all." The mayor refutes back. "These are proposed projects that is yet to be approved. Why? Because we didn't t able to pay the debt for the previous projects intended for all of you."

"Can't you see?! We are really doing this for all of you! I'm sorry if I can't provide you enough." Then the mayor turned to ne. "That's why I asked help to Imee...we're so desperate that we've only relied to miracles...especially when I personally saw the miracles of the sun."

"Oh, I see. You should know that miracles doesn't happen overnight. Just like Imee says, you need to sacrifice more and pray to God more often." I simply explained to him. "Okay, when Imee's get fully recovered, I will try to seek help from the Archbishop and Father Jean. Let's see what they can do."

"Thank you, Mr. Gonzales." Then the mayor turns to the protestors again. "Gentlemen, could you please trust us one more time? I am really caring about you all..."

Convinced by the argument...and trusting on their father figure...

"Yes, Mayor. As long as it for the betterment of our families and our livelihood, we are wiling to collaborate with you."

The mayor and the leader of the protestors shake their hands...symbolizing the end of the strife that have been bothering the town for days...

The mayor escorted me back to the room where Imee is recovering...he pats my shoulder and smiled at me...

"Thank you, Mr. Gonzales for helping us solving our problems. I guess you're have the same expertise as Imee's huh? Hehehe!" The mayor chuckles to cheer me up. "Right now, we're currently conducting an investigation on the assailant who shot her. Rest assured, we will help you bring him to justice."

"Yes. Thanks, mayor."

The mayor then left me in the room, where Imee's already awake...sitting on her wheelchair and waiting for me...

"Oh! Imee, you're already up!" I smiled as I approached her. "Are you okay now?"

"Yes, Anthony. Thank you for your concern." Imee smiled back at me. "Hmm...perhaps you're already learning how to fight what is right, huh?"

I replied to her...with a kiss on her forehead.

"You made another miracle by telling something over me earlier, don't you? Thank you, my guardian angel, for praying for me." Imee giggles as I thanked her. "But...can you pray about the people who are starving?"

"Yes...we just need to wait for God to hear our prayers."