The shapeshifting Vampire from Germany - The Aufhocker

The aufhocker is a German shapeshifting, vampire-like creature which doesn’t have an identifiable form.  The creature is known to take on a human shape, the form of animals, and at other times it can appear to be like a grotesque beast.  The aufhocker is said to most commonly take the form of a monstrously large dog, a little old woman, or a businessman.  The aufhocker is considered to be extremely dangerous and it is classed as a vampire because its preferred method of killing its victims is by ripping their throats out and sucking their blood.  The vampire is known to lurk in any place which you may think of being “cliché” for an evil entity to reside, such as graveyards, dark forests, a crossing at a road, and anywhere that someone has been murdered. 

The vampire stalks lonely people whilst its hidden under the cover of night, then when its prey’s backs are turned, it proceeds to jump on top of their back, paralysing them as they try to escape.  There are two main ways in which the vampire’s unlucky victims are overpowered and brought down to the ground.  One method is that the victims are too frightened by the attack, that they lose consciousness and collapse, while others state that when the creature jumps on its victim’s backs, it continues to grow in size and weight, and for every step that the victim takes, the creature grows even larger, resulting in the victim collapsing under all of the weight.  The vampire can then enjoy its blood meal, as its victim lies helpless.

The aufhocker cannot be killed, but it can be frightened away by the sound or church bells, sunlight, and by the victim praying (Good luck to them!).  This is one more reason for some of us not to walk outside alone at night!