The Lurker in the Shadow
"Behave! You know what happens to little boys and girls who do not obey their parents right? The Lurker snatches them away! It matters not where you are child, for the Lurker will drag you through your own shadow in broad daylight. Obey your parents and he won't drag you away to his lair." - A wizened grandmother
Summary
There exists a creature of pure shadow that moves like water and fears no light. He stalks children who disobey their parents with a particular taste for those who are sneaky or have sticky fingers. No matter where you are or where you go, he can reach you. He will snatch you from the market in broad daylight with witnesses everywhere, pulling you down through your own shadow into his realm. Once he snatches you, you're never seen or heard from again.
Historical Basis
The Lurker is based off several eye witness accounts of young children disappearing. Typically the victims are urchins disappearing from jail cells with no trace, unwanted children who wouldn't be missed. Several children were stolen in front of witnesses, reportedly with massive shadows rising from the child's before grabbing them and vanishing back into the ground. Of note, children who were known for thievery and sneaking are the most common to vanish. Historically, these children have been recruited by the Shadow Dancers. With the world population growing and more nations popping up, they have resorted to stealing children who would fit the criteria to survive the transformation into Shadow Dancers.
Spread
This myth has spread far and wide, one of the few myths consistent across nations and cultures at it's core. It has become a scare tale for children, warning them to behave and obey their parents, the portion of innocent children being snatched long lost to time.
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