The Vulture Eye
TRUE, I was really nervous. But am not mad. The disease I have sharpened my senses. So I had an acute hearing.
I loved the old man. Passion there was none. Object there was none. But it was his eye! Soon as I think of it I grimaced. I had to kill him.
You fancy me mad. That’s the point. But you should have seen how gingerly I proceed. My endeavor to kill him was surprising. I had an inventory of everything I had to do. I was never, NEVER kinder to the old man before I killed him. Every night at midnight I would go in to his room so gingerly waiting for his eye to be open. So wisely. A madman had been so wise as this?
I did this for 7 long nights. Until the 8th night. I went into his room as usual. he was clad in his blankets. Suddenly, one sound only one little mistake woke him up. He started screaming nervously who was it. Soon I could feel his fear coming from his soul. I stayed very still, but I knew that feeling. My disease every night made me feel the fear of others. So it wasn´t a new thing for me.
I waited a long time, and then, I proceeded. I opened the lantern. Soon as I opened ,I saw the eye . that vulture eye.
Have I told you am not mad? Is but over acuteness of senses? Soon ,I heard a quick sound. I knew that sound. It was the beating of the old man´s heart. It was such in a abrasive way, which made me furious.
I held still the lantern so I could see his eye. I knew how dehydrated he feels when he is scared, so he looked all sweat up. The heart beat grew louder, and louder every instant. His terrors had been extreme!! The old man´s hour had come, I had to kill him. In a cursory way I pulled him to the floor. He was electrified!! However, I pulled the heavy bed in top of him. I smiled, it was done. I could hear his heart beat. But he was stone dead. His eye would not trouble me no more.
I still you think me mad, you will not when I tell you the precautions I took with the body.
I took three planks from the flooring of the chamber , and deposited all between the scantlings. There was not single evidence that a person’s eye could see.
Later I heard a knocking in the door. I went with no fear an opened it. There came in 3 men who were police. A neighbor had heard a mysterious sound and they informed it.
I had no fear at all. I welcomed them, and explain them that the noise came from me when I was having a bad dream. I mentioned that the old man was out of the country. I showed them the entire house and comforted them with sits in the same room where I had killed the old man. While I seated in the very spot where the victim was.
I had to corroborate with all their interrogatory. The officers were pleased. But suddenly I felt myself getting pale and wishing them gone. I could hear an annoying ringing. The ringing became louder. Then I realized the noise was not within my ears.
It was a doll quick sound. Like a watch makes when is enveloped in cotton. Talked quickly, and the officers didn’t even noticed. I tried to simulate I was fine. But every time was louder!! How can they not hear it? No . It was impossible for them not to. Quick I surmise and I was Shure they knew. They kept laughing! Soon I derive. They were making fun of me!! I could bear those hypocrites smiles no longer. I felt I had to scream or die. It grew louder and louder.
I succumb the crime!! I admit the deed! Stop making fun of me! its the beating of the old man´s heart!! Soon I told them every gruesome detail…
