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Tabb let his parents' Sentra cruise to a gentle stop along the rapidly-vanishing desert road. Like the rest of the arid land surrounding the Great Salt Flats, it was without landmark or trace of vegetation; barely distinguishable from any other. He glanced over to Colton, who had been staring pensively out the passenger-side window for the majority of the drive.
The two friends climbed out of the car and sauntered about the rocky expanse. Tabb handed his friend a Coke and they sipped the sugary drinks in relative silence. Dusk was approaching. As the fading sun reached the mountains, the sky burst into splendid color; a fathomless blend of orange, purple, and azure.
"I never get tired of seeing that," Tabb said with awe.
"It really is gorgeous," Colton sighed, "i'm going to miss it."
Tabb glanced at his friend. He'd heard whispers, rumors from Sarah and the other gossips, but now the last of his suspicions were confirmed.
"Miss it? Why would you miss it?" he asked Colton laughingly, trying to sound as if he was still blissfully ignorant of the situation.
"Because... look, Tabb, i've put off telling you for too long. I gotta come clean, man. I'm not going to Brigham Young in the fall..."
"...what?"
"Yeah... i've made up my mind. I'm going to NYU."
"You're not serious, Colt."
"I totally am."
"And your parents are allowing this?" Tabb asked, disbelieving.
"Yeah, they are. Trust me, i've had it out with them a million times. But i finally made them realize... look, i gotta get out of here, man. Out of Salt Lake, out of Utah. Not forever, of course, but for a while. I have to see other places. There's a whole other world out there and i have to see it before i die."
"But New York? That place is depraved, Colt. Utterly beyond the reach of the faith."
"Maybe it is, Tabb. Maybe it is. Or maybe things aren't as simple as we've been taught..."
"What are you saying?"
"Look, Tabb, don't play dumb. You know how it is with me. I've been... thinking for some time now. Questioning, doubting, seeking the truth in the only way i know how. There are hundreds of religions, thousands even. And every one of us believes that they're the only one with the truth. The LDS is no different than the Baptists, the Catholics, the Muslims..."
"...oh, god!" Tabb laughed.
"....or heck, the Hindus, whatever. All i know is that i can no longer accept an orthodoxy, any orthodoxy. I'm not sure how i got to this place, but i have. I mean, the Inheritence? The Endowment? The revelation of Moroni, the Ascension to Kolob? Heh... Tabb, do you realize how these concepts look to anyone not from here? Anyone not programmed the way we were? They're regarded in the same way we regard the Circle of Karma or the divinity of Mohammad. They're... just stories. Fairytales."
Tabb began to scowl. It was worse than he could have imagined. He crumpled up his empty cola can, dropped it to the ground, then thought better of it and picked it up again and tossed it back inside the car.
The sun was now gone and the horizon was clouding over. They heard a few muffled thunderclaps and the far-off howling of the approaching storm. The horizon was dark purple with the occasional muffled flash of electric blue light.
Colton smiled at the majestic sight and turned to look at Tabb with gentle affection. "I had to tell you, man, even though i know you think i'm crazy. I owe you that much, we've been friends since forever. It's just the way things are."
"I see."
"But hey, screw it, man! We have three more months. I'll be home in the summer and on holidays. Four years isn't that long, you know. My uncle still wants me to work in his office as soon as i graduate, and that's... probably where i'll end up. But you never know, i guess. For the first time in years, i don't know what's going to happen, and it's exciting. It's really exciting!"
Tabb sighed, clapped his friend's arm, and tried to smile.
"It's going to be really boring at Brigham without you, Colt, you know that?" he said with a faint smile. "Without you, i'll probably be hanging out with Myron again. You know you're doing that to me, right?"
"Heh, yeah, i'm sorry about that."
The unearthly howling intensified. The wind was blowing past them, cold and inexorable.
"Man, that storm is really coming in fast."
"We better get back, huh?"
"Yeah, let's go."
Colton took one last long look at the matchless vista of the Salt Flats as streaks of lightning shot from the clouds and grazed the infinite landscape. It really was gorgeous. Then he walked back to the Sentra. His hand grasped the door handle but he pulled it back with a start.
"Huh? Hey, Tabb, the door's locked."
Tabb's pale face regarded him cooly from inside the car.
"Come on, man, open up. Seriously."
Tabb did nothing.
Colton banged on the door, the windshield, pleading with his friend. Still Tabb sat motionless, and eventually closed his eyes as if deep in prayer. The gusts of wind became a howling gale.
"Come on, man! Tabb! TABB!!!"
Colton thought quickly and began to crawl underneath the car. Unhurriedly, Tabb revved the engine and reversed, backing away about 20 yards. Colton screamed and rolled out of the way, his arm narrowly avoiding being crushed by the spinning tire.
"WHAT THE FUCK, MAN! STOP FUCKING AROUND AND LET ME IN!"
He chased after the car, but Tabb continued to glide in reverse, mockingly just out of his reach. Before he knew it, Colton realized that they were now far from any hint of a road, and salt and sand now crunched beneath his sneakers. He moaned with horror as he saw the wall of whirling gray approach...
...for you see, there are secrets in the land of the Latter-Day Saints that are virtually unknown to the outside world, for the inahabitants guard jealously their unique corner of the earth. One such secret is the Daharrak, also known as the Baroda, the Cleansing Breath of God; it is the name given to the wild salt storms that ravage the Flats with spectacular ferocity. The winds of the Daharrak can reach speeds greater than 300 miles per hour, and their lethal nature comes from the innumerable pieces of rock salt, quartz, mica, and shale that are carried within their currents. For eons, the Children of Moroni have regarded this phenomenon as serving a twofold purpose -- most importantly as a natural barrier against interlopers and stragglers, but also as living embodiment of God's vengeance against those who abandon the faith.
These are the old ways, the true ways, Tabb thought from within the safe confines of the Sentra. Relative newcomers like Colton and his family would be aware of them, yes, but not privy to their purpose, nor the ancient parchments that were hidden within the Temple that contained the secrets of their cycles. For hundreds of years they had studied the science of the Daharrak and knew with remarkable accuracy the seasonal paths of the salt winds as they swept from the Colorado Plateau through the Great Basin, winding through the Bryce Canyon and the Snake River Valley and its innumerable offshoots. Such knowledge originated with the followers of Smith himself, and was only shared among the inner families...
...as Tabb contemplated the wonders of his homeland, Colton began to feel the first stings of the salty sand. Tiny particles whirred past his face, stinging his cheeks and drawing small rivulets of blood from his flesh. At last he gave up any hope in his friend and attempted to run and find some other haven; of course this was futile. The rushing particles became marble-sized chunks of crystallized mineral, and the pain that they inflicted when colliding with his skin was beyond any human endurance. He staggered and fell, and curled into a fetal ball for protection. A momentary reprieve, before the even larger natural missiles began to flay his back. Screaming, writhing, spasming with shock and agony, he rolled frantically back and forth seeking some impossible escape. The winds were now strong enough that he was carried along in their buffeting currents. At some point, his screams ceased and what remained of Colton Brewster lay silently amongst the salt until it was shredded beyond recognition.
Still, Tabb waited calmly, grieving for his lost friend. He knew that it would sting for many years, leaving a sorrow within him that would heal slowly. But he knew that it was the best of all possible outcomes allowed by the Father. Colt had been claimed by Him while he was still within the Ring of Mountains, still within range of the Temple's Light. His soul would not be lost in the chaos outside, but would move on to whatever phase of the Journey was intended for him.
Tabb closed his eyes and as always, the Vision was illuminated in his inner sight. He saw the Pillars of Kolob, he saw the lost galaxy of Shadhat, he saw the ring of endless light around the planet, not yet fully formed, where he was destined to rule throughout eternity. And since Tabb Donovan was still a young man, he saw especially the multitude of ivory-skinned and golden-haired brides with whom he would share his dominion. Their soft, pliable bodies whispered to him beneath their silken robes, a promise of infinite delights to come upon his ascension...
Tabb felt his pants stiffen, and chided himself. Not now, he thought, now is only to grieve and rejoice for Colton.
Once the great storm had passed, Tabb stepped out onto the glistening turf and gazed balefully at the ravaged surface of his parents' Sentra. It was another loss, but one that would not trouble him much. He must return to the Temple by morning and invoke the Rite of Gilzade, and make known to the rest of the faithful the news of Colton's taking. In all likelihood, Tabb's father would be fully reimbursed for the damage from the Temple's bottomless coffers.
The two friends climbed out of the car and sauntered about the rocky expanse. Tabb handed his friend a Coke and they sipped the sugary drinks in relative silence. Dusk was approaching. As the fading sun reached the mountains, the sky burst into splendid color; a fathomless blend of orange, purple, and azure.
"I never get tired of seeing that," Tabb said with awe.
"It really is gorgeous," Colton sighed, "i'm going to miss it."
Tabb glanced at his friend. He'd heard whispers, rumors from Sarah and the other gossips, but now the last of his suspicions were confirmed.
"Miss it? Why would you miss it?" he asked Colton laughingly, trying to sound as if he was still blissfully ignorant of the situation.
"Because... look, Tabb, i've put off telling you for too long. I gotta come clean, man. I'm not going to Brigham Young in the fall..."
"...what?"
"Yeah... i've made up my mind. I'm going to NYU."
"You're not serious, Colt."
"I totally am."
"And your parents are allowing this?" Tabb asked, disbelieving.
"Yeah, they are. Trust me, i've had it out with them a million times. But i finally made them realize... look, i gotta get out of here, man. Out of Salt Lake, out of Utah. Not forever, of course, but for a while. I have to see other places. There's a whole other world out there and i have to see it before i die."
"But New York? That place is depraved, Colt. Utterly beyond the reach of the faith."
"Maybe it is, Tabb. Maybe it is. Or maybe things aren't as simple as we've been taught..."
"What are you saying?"
"Look, Tabb, don't play dumb. You know how it is with me. I've been... thinking for some time now. Questioning, doubting, seeking the truth in the only way i know how. There are hundreds of religions, thousands even. And every one of us believes that they're the only one with the truth. The LDS is no different than the Baptists, the Catholics, the Muslims..."
"...oh, god!" Tabb laughed.
"....or heck, the Hindus, whatever. All i know is that i can no longer accept an orthodoxy, any orthodoxy. I'm not sure how i got to this place, but i have. I mean, the Inheritence? The Endowment? The revelation of Moroni, the Ascension to Kolob? Heh... Tabb, do you realize how these concepts look to anyone not from here? Anyone not programmed the way we were? They're regarded in the same way we regard the Circle of Karma or the divinity of Mohammad. They're... just stories. Fairytales."
Tabb began to scowl. It was worse than he could have imagined. He crumpled up his empty cola can, dropped it to the ground, then thought better of it and picked it up again and tossed it back inside the car.
The sun was now gone and the horizon was clouding over. They heard a few muffled thunderclaps and the far-off howling of the approaching storm. The horizon was dark purple with the occasional muffled flash of electric blue light.
Colton smiled at the majestic sight and turned to look at Tabb with gentle affection. "I had to tell you, man, even though i know you think i'm crazy. I owe you that much, we've been friends since forever. It's just the way things are."
"I see."
"But hey, screw it, man! We have three more months. I'll be home in the summer and on holidays. Four years isn't that long, you know. My uncle still wants me to work in his office as soon as i graduate, and that's... probably where i'll end up. But you never know, i guess. For the first time in years, i don't know what's going to happen, and it's exciting. It's really exciting!"
Tabb sighed, clapped his friend's arm, and tried to smile.
"It's going to be really boring at Brigham without you, Colt, you know that?" he said with a faint smile. "Without you, i'll probably be hanging out with Myron again. You know you're doing that to me, right?"
"Heh, yeah, i'm sorry about that."
The unearthly howling intensified. The wind was blowing past them, cold and inexorable.
"Man, that storm is really coming in fast."
"We better get back, huh?"
"Yeah, let's go."
Colton took one last long look at the matchless vista of the Salt Flats as streaks of lightning shot from the clouds and grazed the infinite landscape. It really was gorgeous. Then he walked back to the Sentra. His hand grasped the door handle but he pulled it back with a start.
"Huh? Hey, Tabb, the door's locked."
Tabb's pale face regarded him cooly from inside the car.
"Come on, man, open up. Seriously."
Tabb did nothing.
Colton banged on the door, the windshield, pleading with his friend. Still Tabb sat motionless, and eventually closed his eyes as if deep in prayer. The gusts of wind became a howling gale.
"Come on, man! Tabb! TABB!!!"
Colton thought quickly and began to crawl underneath the car. Unhurriedly, Tabb revved the engine and reversed, backing away about 20 yards. Colton screamed and rolled out of the way, his arm narrowly avoiding being crushed by the spinning tire.
"WHAT THE FUCK, MAN! STOP FUCKING AROUND AND LET ME IN!"
He chased after the car, but Tabb continued to glide in reverse, mockingly just out of his reach. Before he knew it, Colton realized that they were now far from any hint of a road, and salt and sand now crunched beneath his sneakers. He moaned with horror as he saw the wall of whirling gray approach...
...for you see, there are secrets in the land of the Latter-Day Saints that are virtually unknown to the outside world, for the inahabitants guard jealously their unique corner of the earth. One such secret is the Daharrak, also known as the Baroda, the Cleansing Breath of God; it is the name given to the wild salt storms that ravage the Flats with spectacular ferocity. The winds of the Daharrak can reach speeds greater than 300 miles per hour, and their lethal nature comes from the innumerable pieces of rock salt, quartz, mica, and shale that are carried within their currents. For eons, the Children of Moroni have regarded this phenomenon as serving a twofold purpose -- most importantly as a natural barrier against interlopers and stragglers, but also as living embodiment of God's vengeance against those who abandon the faith.
These are the old ways, the true ways, Tabb thought from within the safe confines of the Sentra. Relative newcomers like Colton and his family would be aware of them, yes, but not privy to their purpose, nor the ancient parchments that were hidden within the Temple that contained the secrets of their cycles. For hundreds of years they had studied the science of the Daharrak and knew with remarkable accuracy the seasonal paths of the salt winds as they swept from the Colorado Plateau through the Great Basin, winding through the Bryce Canyon and the Snake River Valley and its innumerable offshoots. Such knowledge originated with the followers of Smith himself, and was only shared among the inner families...
...as Tabb contemplated the wonders of his homeland, Colton began to feel the first stings of the salty sand. Tiny particles whirred past his face, stinging his cheeks and drawing small rivulets of blood from his flesh. At last he gave up any hope in his friend and attempted to run and find some other haven; of course this was futile. The rushing particles became marble-sized chunks of crystallized mineral, and the pain that they inflicted when colliding with his skin was beyond any human endurance. He staggered and fell, and curled into a fetal ball for protection. A momentary reprieve, before the even larger natural missiles began to flay his back. Screaming, writhing, spasming with shock and agony, he rolled frantically back and forth seeking some impossible escape. The winds were now strong enough that he was carried along in their buffeting currents. At some point, his screams ceased and what remained of Colton Brewster lay silently amongst the salt until it was shredded beyond recognition.
Still, Tabb waited calmly, grieving for his lost friend. He knew that it would sting for many years, leaving a sorrow within him that would heal slowly. But he knew that it was the best of all possible outcomes allowed by the Father. Colt had been claimed by Him while he was still within the Ring of Mountains, still within range of the Temple's Light. His soul would not be lost in the chaos outside, but would move on to whatever phase of the Journey was intended for him.
Tabb closed his eyes and as always, the Vision was illuminated in his inner sight. He saw the Pillars of Kolob, he saw the lost galaxy of Shadhat, he saw the ring of endless light around the planet, not yet fully formed, where he was destined to rule throughout eternity. And since Tabb Donovan was still a young man, he saw especially the multitude of ivory-skinned and golden-haired brides with whom he would share his dominion. Their soft, pliable bodies whispered to him beneath their silken robes, a promise of infinite delights to come upon his ascension...
Tabb felt his pants stiffen, and chided himself. Not now, he thought, now is only to grieve and rejoice for Colton.
Once the great storm had passed, Tabb stepped out onto the glistening turf and gazed balefully at the ravaged surface of his parents' Sentra. It was another loss, but one that would not trouble him much. He must return to the Temple by morning and invoke the Rite of Gilzade, and make known to the rest of the faithful the news of Colton's taking. In all likelihood, Tabb's father would be fully reimbursed for the damage from the Temple's bottomless coffers.
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