The fact that they are real. When you know that these horrible things actually happened to people, it makes it much scarier than a fictional horror story.
Often, it's the mystery involved. In cases like the Zodiac Killer, not knowing who the killer was or what their full motives were creates a sense of unease. And also, the brutality of the murders. For example, the way Jack the Ripper mutilated his victims is just horrifying.
It can also be the sense of unpredictability. These killers often targeted random people, like the Manson Family who invaded people's homes without warning. It makes us feel that such a thing could happen to anyone, anywhere, and that's really chilling.
Well, true horror stories are often scary because they could happen in real life. In these stories, it might be the sense of the unknown that gets to you. For example, if it's a story about a strange presence in an old building, not knowing what that presence is or what it wants can be terrifying.
The setting makes true scary campfire stories so chilling. Campfires are often in the middle of the wilderness, far from civilization. The darkness surrounding the firelight creates an atmosphere of mystery and danger. There could be anything lurking out there in the blackness.
The fact that they are true makes them scarier. It means that these things could actually happen to anyone. For example, in those stories about haunted houses, it's terrifying to think that you could move into a place and encounter such paranormal activities.
The unknown. In the sea, there are so many things we don't understand. Like the deep, dark parts of the ocean that haven't been fully explored. Stories in 'Scary True Sea Stories' often play on this fear of the unknown.
The isolation. Campsites are often far away from civilization. So when something scary occurs, you can't just run to the safety of a busy street or call for help easily. You're kind of on your own. In a scary true camp story, this isolation magnifies the fear. If you're alone in your tent and hear something creeping around outside, you have no one right there to turn to immediately, and that's really frightening.
The unknown factor. True ghost stories often involve things that we can't explain. For example, in a story where a person hears strange voices in an empty house. There's no rational explanation for it, and that scares us because it goes against what we understand about the world.
Well, the fact that they are 'true' makes them scarier. It means it could happen to anyone. When you hear about a real - life place or person being haunted, like a normal family in a normal house, it hits closer to home. You start to wonder if the same could happen to you.
Well, one thing is the unexpectedness. Hunters go out expecting to hunt animals, but sometimes things take a turn. Like when a hunter is tracking an animal and suddenly finds himself in a place full of strange noises and signs of other dangerous animals. Another aspect is that nature can be very unforgiving. Bad weather can set in, making it difficult to find the way back or stay warm. And when you add the fact that there are wild animals that could attack at any moment, it all combines to create a truly chilling experience.
The fact that the murders happen when people are in their most vulnerable state - sleeping in their beds. It's a place where we should feel safe, but in these stories, it becomes a place of danger.
The fact that they're true makes them more chilling. For example, in real - life horror stories, there's no guarantee of a happy ending like in fictional ones. The victims are real people who have actually endured these terrifying experiences.