Under the Pendulum Sun

by Jeannette Ng

“Almost almost forgot. Remember, no walking down the silver corridor when it’s dark. No looking behind the emerald curtain. No staring portraits in the eye. No eating things without salt. And no trusting the Salamander.”

“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil! – prophet still, if bird or devil! — Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted — On this home by Horror haunted – tell me truly, I implore — “Is there – is there balm in Gilead? – tell me – tell me, I implore!” Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.” Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven