Coco (folklore)

Coco is a demonic spirit from many Latino communities and cultures, closely associated with the Bogeyman it is also a common expression for a thing or person that causes irrational fear or discomfort, much as the term Bugbear is used in other cultures.

Coco is a monster who exists to enforce taboos and ensure that children sleep when told, for should children disobey orders to sleep Coco is said to hunt them down and may inflict a number of gruesome punishments upon them, depending on the story - usually he is said to eat the children or spirit them away, never to be seen again.

Coco may also emerge as a female, known as Coca, the two beings are seen as extensions of the same monster and as such Coca is little more than Coco taking a female guise and vice versa, both share the exact same motives and terrible behaviors.

While a force of punishment Coco is also an opportunist and is said to outright kidnap and devour any disobedient child he can find, this is seen as further proof that children should mind their manners and always obey their elders, in case a lurking Coco happens upon the misbehaving and captures them for a nightmarish fate.