The unknown is a big factor. In a forest, there could be all kinds of hidden things like unseen creatures or dangerous terrains. For example, in many stories, there are strange noises that the characters can't identify. It could be a wild animal or something more supernatural.
The isolation in the forest is a big factor. When you're alone or with just a few people in a vast forest, it feels like there's no help around. The unknown also plays a role. You don't know what kind of wild animals are lurking, or if there are other, more supernatural things. Darkness adds to the fear. In a forest at night, your vision is limited and your imagination runs wild.
The unknown is a big factor. In real terrifying stories, when we don't know what is causing the strange events, it scares us. For example, in a story about a haunted place, not knowing what the ghostly presence is or what it wants makes it terrifying.
The unknown. In demonic stories, we often don't know what the entity really is or what it wants. For example, a shadowy figure that just appears and disappears, leaving you with a sense of unease.
The unknown. In real horror stories, when there are things that can't be easily explained, it scares people. For example, in the story of the Bell Witch, no one could really figure out what the spirit was or how to stop it. It was the mystery that added to the terror.
The unknown. In scary flash stories, things that are not clearly defined or understood create fear. For example, a strange noise in the dark. You don't know what's making it, and that scares you.
Isolation also plays a role. In many scary stories, the characters are alone, like in an abandoned building or a desolate forest. There's no one to turn to for help, which makes the situation seem more dire. Also, the use of the supernatural, such as ghosts or curses, adds to the terror because it goes beyond our normal understanding of the world. Another element is the sense of impending doom. The feeling that something bad is about to happen and there's no way to stop it.
The unknown. In full scary stories, not knowing what's going to happen next or what that strange noise is really creates fear. For example, in a story about a haunted house, the creaking floorboards could be just old wood, but the idea that it might be something supernatural is scary.
The unfamiliarity of the past periods is a big factor. For example, in stories set in medieval times, the different beliefs, superstitions, and the harsh living conditions create an atmosphere of fear. People didn't have the modern knowledge we have now, and things like diseases were often blamed on the supernatural.
One factor is the element of surprise. In these stories, bigfoot usually appears suddenly, catching people off - guard. The descriptions of its appearance, with long hair and a large, ape - like build, are intimidating. Moreover, the idea that there could be a large, unknown creature lurking in the woods where people often go for recreation or work makes these stories truly terrifying. For example, a hiker may feel safe in the forest until they have a bigfoot encounter, which shatters their sense of security.
The atmosphere plays a huge role. A story set in a desolate, fog - covered graveyard at midnight is already spooky. Also, the use of our primal fears, such as the fear of the dark or the fear of being hunted. In a story where a person is being chased by an unseen predator through a pitch - black forest, it taps into those basic fears that we've had since ancient times.