Keshumpē

Simone couldn't sleep. There was a storm outside. The apple tree's bare branches knocked against the window.

Simone rolled over to look across the room to her sister Michelle. Lightning flashed, revealing the girl's soundly sleeping form. How is that even possible? Simone wondered. This storm is so, so scary.

Clunk, clunk, clunk.

Simone squeaked and clutched her blanket. She held her breath as she listened to the muffled metallic noise.

Clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk--GASP! Clunk, clunk, clunk...

"Mmm?" Michelle rolled over in her bed. "Simone... why are you breathing funny?"

"Shh!" Clunk, clunk. "Don't you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"The keshumpē," Simone whispered. "They're coming for us. They're right outside."

Summary

Deep within the forest live the keshumpē, creatures that look like human children. They always want to play, but they are afraid of adults, so they do not approach adults or go anywhere they think adults might be. Keshumpē are afraid of adults because, long ago, some very cruel adults cut off their limbs--an arm here, a leg there--and replaced them with metal prosthetics. As a result, everywhere they go, they make metallic sounds as they move.

If you hear a metallic clunking, clanging, or thumping sound in the dead of night, then a keshun has come out of the forest looking for a playmate. Ignore the sound and stay inside. If you follow the sound, you will be a keshun's playmate forever, and you will never come back.

Spread

The story of the keshumpē originated in Medrom. The word comes from the old Medrom Language words keki, "child" and sheshan, "metal." Some scholars suspect that it began as an excuse that merchants, diplomats, and military personnel used to explain to their children why they could not bring their children with them on long journeys.

Variations & Mutation

Some variations say that the keshumpē cut off childrens' limbs and replace them with metal prosthetics, so that their new playmates can fit in with the rest of the keshumpē.

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