Dear God, I am so frantic today. My best friend was shot...shot by some crazy person and I'm so helpless! He should never had been out in this late hour, it's so unlike him! I should've been there, God. He asked me if I can go with him, but I refused. I told him that I have something else to do. Yeah, right! Like go play inside QuestWorld. And now, he's dying and I can't do anything...he's so unstable...the doctors said that if he survives, he might be mentally unbalanced. God, don't let that happen, please? I'll do anything! I promise! I know I haven't been inside a church for a long time, and I promise to change all that. God, just this once...

~ * ~

Dear God, he's still unconscious. Why can't the doctors do anything, God? Why can't YOU do anything? I've been inside the hospital chapel. My dad asked me that he knows how it felt, that it felt that way when Mom died. Jessie even went with me. And we PRAYED, God! I had my hands clenched so hard. And now, I'm here beside him again, wishing he'll wake up and tell me everything will be all right. Will it be, God? Please answer my prayers...this is all I have to ask you. He's my best friend. He's been like a brother to me. Please don't let him go to you yet. Please give him more time.

~ * ~

Dear God, I thought I saw a change in his heart monitor, like it jumped or something, but I'm not entirely sure. Have you done something yet? Is his guardian angel still standing by his side? Or was she replaced by Death? Ready to bring his soul to your waiting arms. God, you know I can't live with all these guilty thoughts! Don't make him die yet. I'll never forgive myself, and I might probably kill myself and you'll have another death in your hands. Please, God...

~ * ~

Dear God, I'm sorry I tried to make those threats. You know I don't mean them, do you? I don't. Don't worry. If he dies, I'll keep on living. I'll endure every single day. It's enough punishment for me to live. Even though he might probably hate me, I'll live and endure everything and hurt everyday. But I really hope you don't intend to take his life. But whatever your decision might be, God...I know all is up to you.

~ * ~

Dear God, thank you! I love you so much! Thank you for making him live! I was sleeping beside him when I felt something touch my head, and when I looked up, he was croaking out for water. Jessie was so happy, she spilled the water for him two times! And me? I was running through the corridors of the hospital, whooping. His mother came in, and many cards arrived to wish the Sultan of Bangalore a quick recovery. He's not mentally unbalanced, either! In fact, he even gave one of his old sayings to me. I forgot though, in my joy, I just hugged him. I don't know how to thank You, God. But I guess one way is to fulfil my promise to you...

~ * ~

Jonny Quest pushes the door to the chapel quietly and goes inside. It is Saturday morning, and there is no mass until the evening. Nevertheless, he goes and sits down on one of the pews, just staring ahead.

Hadji is all right. He will be getting more tests, but if all goes well, he will be going home the next day. Jonny had never prayed so hard in his whole life.

He looks up into the Cross, where the statue of Jesus is hanging. Then, closes his eyes. In his memory, he remembers Hadji's pale face, then the same pale face asking for water. His eyes open, and he smiles.

He kneels and clasps his hands together, closing his eyes once more. His mouth moves in a silent prayer. "Dear God..."