The Tell-Tale Heart… “ Villains! I shrieked, dissemble no more! I admit the deed! – Tear up the planks! Here, here! – It is the beating of his hideous heart!”
The police officers stood in disbelief before shouting: “Sir! You are under arrest! You have the right to remain silent! Put your hands on your head and turn around!” I followed his orders without resistance, unable to think of an escape.One of the police officers proceeded to tear up the floorboards while the other one handcuffed me. Fortunately, I was too skinny due to my anxiety disorder and was able to slip through and escape through the window.
I landed in the bushes and quickly got back on my feet. I then ran through the streets until I reached a 7/11. Without thinking twice, I entered the store and murdered the cashier, taking his clothes and hiding the dismembered corpse under the floorboards. I played the cashier’s role until the police officers came in to buy a box of donuts. Despite my costume, they were quick to recognise me and I admitted to my second murder. However, before they could react, I pulled out a shotgun from under the counter and killed them both. Then, I kept the tradition alive and buried the bodies under the floorboards.
Several minutes later, a customer entered the store and walked slowly through the isles. When I looked at him closely, I realized that his earlobe was attached. This detail repulsed me and sparked the desire to do away with him. When he approached the cash, he made a fatal remark: “The floorboards are cracking more than usual.”-“I didn’t kill anyone! I’m innocent!” I screamed.Without warning, I pulled the trigger and the deed was done. I dismember the body, as usual, and hid it along with the others.
Soon after, a second customer walked in. As he walked towards the back of the store, he dropped his keys and bent down to retrieve them. I was scared that he might discover the bodies, so I took the necessary precautions and did away with him like the others. I felt calm and content, so I turned on the radio and listened to an old country song. It had a particular drum line that disturbed me greatly. I proceeded to gun down the radio to relieve my discomfort and buried it.
To my great disbelief, the drumming sound persisted. It was barely noticeable and much too regular. I began to sweat as it grew louder and louder. Soon, it was a choir or beating noises. Suddenly, I realized that the sounds were in fact the beating of the multiple hideous hearts hidden in the floor. There was only one option left. I ran outside to the nearest cemetery, found a shovel, and dug a large hole in the soil. I jumped in and with a pull of the trigger, my agony was over.
The End
Valérie David, Laurence Labelle, Marie-Lyne Lapointe
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