The Shadow Man

by Irina Dobrecholyova
(Omsk, Omsk Oblast, Russia)

I grew up in Omsk, Russia and a common story there was that if you stole anything or committed a crime (in your teenage years) a man would stand outside across the street under the streetlight.

If you committed another crime he would get closer to your house. If you committed another and another crime he would get closer and closer and eventually get into your house and kill you as you slept.

Well, our parents never said "kill" but they never said the outcome, in hopes it would scare us to not commit crimes.

My mother would say to my brother "Behave or you'll see the Shadow Man."