Canto XIV: Flame If Eru gave the Secret Fire to the works of men Would you write in pencil or pen?   “Bailey, what’s wrong?”   Bailey ran fingers through her tangled hair “They take every story’s pain and give it to me All I’ve read All I’ve wrote The multiple versions” She swallows hard    I know what she writes I know why she  stares at fingers feels ears   licks lips “Everything?”   “Kadosh,” she moans “was almost a relief I felt safe loved But everything else.”   “Can you sit up?” I asked.   She rolled over slowly still cupping her hands pressed up on her elbows then shoved on her glasses “How do I get out?”   I pressed on the barrier “Seems solid.”   She stared at me  "I can see you now.”     “Well, with your glasses on—“   “No, I can see you it was black before.” She placed her hand opposite mine “How did you find me? I thought the Vashta Nerada.”   “Shh” I looked both ways “I thought I heard something.”   Bailey shook her head “Nobody’s here.”   “A woman rescued me and led me here She said—“ I pause, slowly repeating each world “Four may see where two are blind.”   “Glasses?”   “I don’t think so”   “Four, four Four elements four limbs four gospels… four” Bailey repeats   “Four good races of Middle-Earth Elves, Dwarves Hobbits, Men—“   “Four corners of the Earth—“ Bailey pauses “What else did she say?”   “We have the  power of creation ex nihlo. The ground trembles beneath our steps.” I say   “God-mode Sue? Please,” She moaned “I refuse to become a Sue They make urple sparkles and uncanon characters.”   “More like Gandalf, I think Veiled power until needed And it’s needed now.”   Bailey touched the barrier. “Right So… A person would be the most helpful Arkn! Arkn!” She called   A shadowed figure A half-there figure like a TV channel breaking in and out joined her inside the wall “I didn’t give you my phone number— wait, I don’t have a phone Anyway—“   “This is no time for a Genie impersonation” Bailey retorted “I’m trapped in an invisible prison and I can’t get free!”   He looked around “Ah, nice to see you Laura.”   He knew my name How did he know my name?   "Can’t you get   me out of here?”   “I am bound by the rules of  this land, my land Those you summon to set you free must be born of your own imagination But I’ll be waiting when you’re free.”