What are some good hooks for horror stories?

A mysterious event or a strange noise can be a good hook. For example, starting a story with 'In the dead of night, a shrill scream pierced through the silence.' It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what's going on.

One hook could be starting with a lonely figure in a desolate place, like 'In the empty park, a single silhouette sat on the bench as the cold wind whipped around.'

One great hook could be starting with a strange sound in the dead of night, like 'In the pitch - black night, a shrill scream pierced through the silence, making every hair on my body stand on end.' It immediately grabs the reader's attention.

One great hook could be a mysterious object with unknown powers. For example, a glowing crystal that no one can touch without being sent into a trance. Another hook might be a prophecy about a hero who will save the world from an ancient evil, but no one knows who the hero is. Also, starting with a character waking up in an unfamiliar and magical land can be a strong hook.

A mysterious figure that appears briefly and then vanishes can be a great hook. Such as, 'Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a shadowy figure, tall and gaunt. But when she turned to look fully, it was gone, leaving only a chill in the air.'

An unusual object or symbol that keeps popping up can be a good hook too. Say, a strange amulet is found at every crime scene. This mystery surrounding the amulet will intrigue readers and make them eager to find out its significance in the story.

A mysterious statement or question can serve as a good hook. Such as 'The door was ajar, and what lay beyond it was something no one could have ever imagined.' This makes the reader curious and eager to find out what's behind the door.

A sudden loss, like the death of a beloved pet. It immediately grabs the reader's heart and makes them empathetic.

A chance encounter in an unexpected place can be a great hook. For example, two people meet during a sudden rainstorm while seeking shelter under the same small awning. It immediately creates a sense of shared experience and a bit of mystery as they look at each other for the first time.

Hooks draw readers in right away. For instance, if a horror story starts with a child's doll moving on its own, it grabs the reader's attention. They become curious about what's causing the doll to move and want to keep reading to find out.