The Mad Murderer

*Author's Note

This is a POV response to The Tell-Tale Heart

In the tell-tale heart, the narrator is a mad murderer that is overcome with guilt.  He is unreliable and cannot see the world clearly.  His point of view shows the story in a crazy and delusional way.  

This is they story from the police's point of view. 

"We've got a report of someone hearing a neighbor screaming," the chief of police announced, "might be foul play.  Hubert, James, Grey- you go have a look at it.  Search the premises."  

We sighed and tromped out in to the crisp night air.  We walked in silence, looking out over the  barren streets.  After about 10 minutes we reached the old house. 

The house had an eerie feel as we crept up the cobblestone path.  Hubert pushed me forward to knock on the door.  The young man who answered it smiled.  He welcomed us and asked us to come inside.  

When we asked about the shriek he informed us that it was his own, from a nightmare.  He told us that the old man was off in the country, visiting friends.  He was very hospitable, we hardly even had to imply before he let us search his apartments.  He even showed us the old man's room with all of his belongings intact and undisturbed. 

He pulled up chairs and had us sit down.  We chatted about inconsequential things; the weather, the government, the strength of our military.  He seemed to be growing tired and his face was starting to pale.  We thought little of it.  He suddenly started talking faster and louder for no apparent reason.  He seemed particularly upset when the death watches in the wall became a bit louder.  

He talked louder and faster with each passing minute.  Finally he seemed to reach the breaking point.  Se stood raving and swearing.  He thrashed his chair against the floorboards.  He had a reputation of being mad so we thought little of his sudden outburst.  This seemed to aggravate him even more and he screamed in rage.

He admitted to killing the old man; covering up his terrible deed by hiding his limbs under the floor boards.  We brought him back to the police station.  His madness was recorded as his motivation for the murder.  He was brought in for questioning but testified strongly against insanity.  He was sent to the asylum; he obviously had mental issues and could not be trusted with reality.