The Rake

The Rake is an internet creepypasta depicting a humanoid creature with pale skin, long limbs, and a disturbing, often featureless, face. The story generally involves individuals encountering the creature in their homes, typically observing it staring at them before it attacks or disappears.

Origin and Spread:

The exact origin of The Rake is debated, but it is generally attributed to a series of posts on the Something Awful forums in 2005 or 2006. These posts described disturbing encounters with a creature matching The Rake's description. The creature's popularity grew through internet forums, blogs, and eventually, through the creepypasta community.

Characteristics:

The Rake is often described as being around 6 feet tall, exceptionally thin, and possessing an unnaturally pale complexion. Its limbs are described as elongated and disproportionate, allowing it to move with an unsettling gait. The most disturbing aspect of the creature is its face, which is frequently depicted as being blank, lacking distinct features, or possessing only rudimentary eyes and a mouth.

Narrative Themes:

Stories involving The Rake often explore themes of fear, vulnerability, and the unknown. The creature's presence is typically portrayed as unsettling and inexplicable, leaving victims psychologically scarred. The stories often focus on the invasion of personal space and the fear of something lurking just beyond the periphery.

Popularity and Cultural Impact:

The Rake has become one of the more popular and well-known internet creepypastas. Its image and story have been adapted into short films, artwork, and other forms of creative expression within the online horror community. Its enduring popularity is likely due to the primal fear it taps into: the fear of the unknown, the fear of being watched, and the fear of something unnatural invading the safety of one's own home.

Common Tropes in Rake Stories:

• Nocturnal Encounters: The Rake is almost exclusively encountered at night, often just before dawn.
• Staring: The creature is frequently described as simply staring at its victims before any interaction.
• Psychological Trauma: Encounters with The Rake leave victims deeply disturbed and often questioning their sanity.
• Lack of Motivation: The Rake's motives are rarely explained, adding to the creature's unsettling nature.
• Disappearance: The creature often vanishes without a trace after an encounter, leaving victims with no proof of what they saw.