Katurian, a writer of grotesque short stories, is arrested and interrogated by police officers Tupolski and Ariel regarding the murder of three children. During the interrogation, Katurian's brother Michael confesses to committing the murders with Katurian's help. As the interrogation continues, Katurian confesses to the murders as well as killing Michael, though he is later proven innocent of murdering the third victim. In the climax, the officers decide to execute Katurian. In the ending, Katurian is executed but Ariel saves his stories instead of burning them as planned.