Moonstone Quarry remember, man, that thou art dust

"O God, O God, what do you desire of me?"

He stands alone in the glittering quarry, stars in his eyes,

The moonlight reflecting off the small, still pools around him.

It is a moment before a voice booms in his head--

An explosion; neither male nor female, young nor old,

No accent, no emotion.

"Your tail, O messenger, is what I desire."

God giveth, and God taketh away.

Imtiaz has always loved his tail--a sleek silver thing, plush, animated.

But he will give it up, if that is what God requests.

For even if he found it within himself to deny God,

God will not be denied.

The tail is gone already, in spirit. He has given it up.

Now all there is left to do is rid himself of the lifeless flesh still attached,

Bury it, and say an incantation.

God will be appeased.

"I give myself up to you, O God;

Body and soul, body and soul."

A warmth envelops him, like an embrace,

And then he stands alone once more in the glittering quarry, stars in his eyes.