There was this one recurring entity that used to invade my dreams when I was around 8-12 years old. It was a shadowy figure, around 8-10 feet tall, long arms with giant talons that dragged along the floor as he moved. I could never see his face, but I was horrified of it. I guess it's what we can't see that's most horrifying in the end.
Anyway, this thing moved strangely. It almost looked like the result of a reel of film being cut in random spots and sped up significantly. Its head, neck, and limbs would spasm and bend at impossible angles, spontaneously and without much reason.
There were two things that always summoned him. The first was a long fall. If I fell or jumped off something and landed any more than 10 feet below, my legs would become heavy, and my breath would become short. There'd be this ringing in my ears, persistent, and growing progressively louder. That would be the indication that he was coming for me.
The other thing was more random, and not as dependent upon my actions. Sometimes I would hear this bell, very low tone, and very ominous. When that bell rang, I knew he would not be far behind.
It was especially horrible because the closer he got to me, the heavier my legs felt and the slower and more encumbered I became. He would make this stomping sound as he moved. It was extremely loud, like explosions going off in tandem. When he got within striking distance, I would always turn and face him, unable to move, and unable to look away. He would stare at me, though I still couldn't see his eyes. But I knew he was looking at me.
His head would tilt back and forth, quickly, almost like a vibration, and then he would roar. I'll never forget the sound. It was primeval and terrifying. He'd move in, fast, talons extended, and then I would only see darkness and feel a great burning pain. I'd always wake up right after that.
Shortly after I started Middle School, I never saw him again. It wasn't until much later, when I was in college, that the story of Slenderman was written. He always reminded me of it, though he never came close to emulating the fear I felt.
