Illustration of the New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville, West Virginia (United States)

Bloody Bones is a water demon that haunted lakes and rivers, attracted by violence and carnage and eats misbehaving children. A tale of a child's encounter with Bloody Bones was recorded by Ninevah Jackson Willis. A young girl became lonely while her parents were gone so she stood beside the stairs and called for someone to come play with her. The girl received a response: a small voice assuring her that it would come soon. Over the course of the night, the girl called for company several more times. Finally, the voice replied that it was coming. The girl remarks on what long fingernails and big teeth the creature has. At the mention of its teeth, Rawhead slyly replies that they are "to eat her up with." The story then cuts to when the girl's parents arrive back home to find the girl's remains, a pile of bloody bones.

West Virginia legend