Before you begin to read this, yes I know: Slenderman was a meme created on a website thanks to a Creepypasta only a few years ago. I was reminded of that today on Facebook, as well.
With that out of the way, let’s go straight to the news of the bizarre from the an area in the UK.. Cannock, Staffordshire is the location, you may recall, where a number of “black eyed children” were spotted in recent times.. Those paranormal entities supposedly knock on your window and door begging to let them in.. Of course, as the urban legend would have it, you’re damned should you do so..
In the newest news frenzy from the location, “Slenderman” is appearing to people–yes, that fictional character..
For days news, tabloid media outlets in the UK have reported on the Slenderman sightings in Cannock. Paranormal investigators may want to flock to the location again, purported by some to be one of the more haunted areas of the globe. If you believe in that sort of thing..
The UK version of the HUFFINGTON POST is publishing some first hand accounts from people claiming they have recently seen a tall figure roaming Cannock. One report described the entity like this,
If I were to compare it to anything, I would say it looked like a stereotypical Victorian gentleman. Long black overcoat with a Homburg hat. Except, I know this was no flying human. I know that because it had blood red eyes that shone in the night sky. It also had a mouth full of teeth that seemed to look like razors
Another said this to the UK HUFFINGTON POST,
I saw a man floating over me. He was so close that I would have headbutted him if I moved an inch. I could see into his eyes. They were a fierce red colour that shook me to my very core. Although he didn’t speak, I knew what he was thinking. It was as though he was talking to me telepathically. He definitely wanted to hurt me, but there was something stopping him. It was almost like he was someone gaining power from scaring me though. Maybe something bad will happen when he gets strong enough? For what it’s worth, I’m not a nutcase, and I work for a local business of which you will be familiar. It just seemed the anger in his eyes grew stronger as I was feeling more scared
There are some things to note about this recent series of news articles streaming from the UK.,One important thing is this: the tabloid UK MIRROR published what it portended to be a ‘photograph’ of the SLENDERMAN, which would make it the first in history.. You can see the photo here and discern appropriately:
I did, and I don’t think we are seeing anything except an trick of the eyes and oddity of a camera.. I know some may say this is proof of the tall slender man who roams Cannock, but I say the opposite. Quite frankly, the photo shows nothing..
There is something else to ponder..
While Slenderman a newly made name, history proves that the idea of the entity has been around for quite some time. Slender Man has appeared in folklore for centuries under different names – in Scotland the fiendish figure is known as Fear Dubh (The Dark Man), the Dutch dubbed him Takkenmann (Branch Man) and in Germany he is referred to as Der Grosse Man (Tall Man). Lots of nations and lots of cultural takes on the same creature..
At the end of the last century, the popular show BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER featured one episode titled HUSH. The show had haunting “Gentlemen”. I think these perhaps most accurately reflect the notion of what a slender being actually is.. slow moving and almost floating, tall and pale, and grinning like a knowing demon of another world..
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53Uk1KITymI?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent]
Most of the articles that have been circulated about the rash of Slenderman sightings have also been deluged with comments mocking the authors, the websites, and the thoughts that a paranormal entity could even exist is inane.
But Tulpas? Urban legends? Scary monsters who haunt children–often the innocent youths tell the same tale without even knowing it .. Tall men. Hat man.. ghostly creatures staring in windows.. Tall and pale figures without faces.. Teeth that salivate as the victim of the haunt gets chilled to the bone.
There are people, sane and rational, who believe in these things. And there are lots of people who pooh pooh the notion of any other-worldly creatures..
Slenderman? Silly we are told by those who believe in Mohammed or Jesus.
Silly?
Perhaps ‘slenderman’ is not the name.. But the entity’s pop cultural presence throughout history gives me pause before I simply say there’s no such way that Cannock residents are seeing the tall and slender figure of fright..
