" Roman, his breath hoarse and ragged, his body trembling like a leaf in an autumn storm, hugged himself in unspeakable fear as the thing’s face finally came into view: two round empty eyes in which sable night roiled forever and a gaping mouth that hungered for his very soul.

It was the cucu, come at last to claim its prize, the life of a child who defied the dark. "

― David Bowles , Creature Feature: 13 Frightening Folktales of the Rio Grande Valley