The Pit and the Pendulum – Homage to Poe

By Zachary  Furr

 

Let it be marked that this tale is inspired by Edgar Allen Poe as well as by Vincent Price.

 

The lights of the city were bright and shining.

Carnival had the whole city in an uproar of celebration.

Parties to the right of the square.

Shindigs to the left.

So many people that I lost friends,

As quickly as I gained them.

Thousands of people,

Moving hither and thither,

Drinks were everywhere,

Liquors and Spirits,

All were offered at every corner.

Dancing and prancing,

Music and songs,

All were caught up in the thrills of the night.

 

A young woman caught my attention by placing her lips on mine,

My face flushed and I felt lust run rampant,

She caught my hand in hers,

She began to run,

Ducking and dodging,

Weaving through the crowd, 

I followed her. 

She lead me down a dark alley,

We passed others,

Couples kissing and groping,

Further she led me,

To a deeper and darker point.

She stopped in front of a small door in the midst of others

She drank from a small vial,

And promptly placed her lips on mine again,

It was a kiss that was deep and long,

I felt her tongue force down a bitter drink,

Nothing like the sweet saliva that she deposited before.

As we parted I noticed that the couples around us, 

had gathered around us,

They were staring at us,

They were staring at me,

I fell as I felt the bitter drink hit my stomach.

I passed out.

 

I felt hands grabbing me,

Under my arms, legs and back,

They hoisted me up,

Through my vague perception of the situation,

I was carried through the door, 

I heard talking in hushed whispers,

I was placed upon a cold metal, 

I was dumbly aware as my arms were tied down,

My mouth was gagged,

My legs were stretched and bound.

I smelled a sharpness as a presence passed beneath my face.

My eyes sprung open and I saw nothing in the dark.

For the dark was all around me,

There were scents that I could smell,

I heard the voices of people all around me,

And a singular voice could be heard,

In a language that I could not understand,

A spot light was thrown upon me,

My retinas were blinded,

I screamed in the sudden pain.

The announcer from before finished his speech and motioned at me.

 

The Man wore a golden robe,

A white mask,

A shaved head,

A bolstres swagger that showed that he was in charge.

Whatever he was saying seemed to garner amusement from the surrounding crowds,

The surrounding lights started up,

The dim lighting showed the area around me more clearly,

I was laying down strapped down in the middle of a large room,

A balcony above, 

People all around,

Above and below,

Golden robes,

White masks,

Men and women,

The announcer spoke in clear english, 

“Time must start Now!”,

Somewhere above me,

Above the spotlight, 

A machine could be heard starting up,

The electronic whir,

The quiet stillness that ensued,

Was only disrupted by a loud clunking sound,

Two seconds apart,

Above me, 

The noise above came closer,

The room was quiet except for this noise.

Back and forth, 

To the left,

To the right.

 

I strained eyes to see pass the spot light,

The light burned my eyes,

I saw a glint of steel in the light,

Back and forth,

A semi circle of steel, 

Three foot wide,

Twelve feet above me,

Chunk Chunk,

The spot light cut off as the blade descended,

The room was portrayed in a dim light,

There were dozens of people,

All in gold,

All in white masks,

The Red and Orange drapes,

They hung from the ceiling in a billowing down,

They appeared to be the fires of hell,

The people appeared like they were in hell,

The smiles on their white masks mocked as the blade descended.

 

Six feet to go, 

I feel dizzy, 

I want to hurl,

The Gold, Red and Orange start to mix,

As Vertigo descends upon me,

Five feet to go,

The gag in my mouth tastes of bile,

My eyes are glued to the ever descending blade,

I watched the horror,

Three feet to go,

My heart is pounding in my chest,

Sweat starts pouring out of every pore,

Two feet to go, 

I can hear the audible swooshing as it comes closer and closer,

The metal behind me is now slick with sweat, 

Ever closer,

Ever quicker,

It comes down to my navel,

One foot left,

The inches are counted,

Perhaps two minutes left,

Portrait on the ceiling can be seen at last,

The picture was that of a clock,

The little arm rested on the twelve,

The big arm was coming closer to midnight.

 

60 seconds left.

The blade was a mere inch away from my party jacket,

The first threads were being cut,

The noise of the audience began to clamor more,

They stood in awe,

Some gasped, 

Some turned away, 

My shirt received it first cut,

I screamed through the gag,

My stomach was sliced, 

Once, 

Twice,

I felt the warmth of liquid gather around my legs, 

As I had relieved myself,

As if to only prolong the inevitable,

And lower my stomach a little more.

 

The clock hit midnight,

And the show was over, 

I ascended above the crowds, 

Above the stage, 

For my heart gave out,

And I saw myself get eviscerated,

High above myself,

I heard the gasps of men and women,

Were these the voices of men or of demons?