One theme could be a desolate forest at night. There are strange sounds coming from the bushes, and the trees seem to be alive and menacing. Also, the idea of a vengeful spirit is a classic. A spirit that has been wronged in the past and now seeks revenge on the living, following them everywhere they go.
A good theme for a scary story is a mysterious island. The island is cut off from the rest of the world, and there are all kinds of strange creatures and phenomena there. For example, there might be a strange mist that makes people hallucinate, or there could be a hidden tribe that practices dark magic.
The theme of a possessed person. Their behavior changes drastically, and they do things that are not normal, like speaking in tongues or having superhuman strength. It gives a sense of the unknown and the fear of something taking over a person's body.
A story about a serial killer on the loose. You can build suspense by showing his perspective as he hunts his victims. The idea of a possessed person is also scary. They act in strange ways, their eyes change, and they can do things that are beyond human capabilities. And then there's the concept of a town with a dark secret. Everyone seems normal on the surface, but as the story unfolds, you discover the awful truth that has been hidden for years.
Another idea is a cursed object. For example, a beautiful antique mirror. Whoever looks into it starts to see a distorted version of themselves that slowly becomes more and more menacing. Then, bad things start to happen to them in real life - they get into accidents, lose their jobs, or their loved ones start to act strangely towards them as if they are being influenced by the mirror's curse.
Good theme ideas for stories are the theme of mystery. Creating a sense of intrigue and suspense with unanswered questions, hidden secrets, and unexpected twists. Another is the theme of courage. Characters showing courage in the face of fear, whether it's facing a physical danger like a monster or a more emotional fear like standing up to bullies. And finally, the theme of change. How characters and their worlds change over time, whether it's due to personal growth, technological advancements, or historical events.
How about a story set in a dark forest? A hiker gets lost in the forest at night. As he tries to find his way out, he hears strange howls. He comes across a clearing where there are strange symbols carved into the trees. Suddenly, he feels like he's being watched from all directions. Every step he takes seems to lead him deeper into the unknown and the sense of dread just keeps growing.
How about a story based on a cursed object? For example, a beautiful antique mirror. Everyone who looks into it sees a distorted version of themselves, and soon they start having nightmares. Then, they notice that their appearance in real life is slowly changing to match the distorted reflection. The mirror has a dark past and was used in some sort of evil ritual.
One could write about a haunted school. The hallways are empty at night, but there are strange footsteps and the sound of a chalkboard being scratched. There might be the spirit of a former student or teacher who met a tragic end there. A possessed vehicle is also a cool idea. The car or truck seems to have a mind of its own, driving dangerously and leading the occupants to a terrifying destination. And a story about a cult that practices dark magic in a small, isolated community can be very spooky.
A story where testers are working on a new virtual reality horror game. During testing, the VR headset seems to show things that aren't in the game code. The testers start seeing shadowy figures approaching them in the virtual world. It might be a glitch in the system, or something more sinister from the deep coding. As they dig deeper into the problem, they find that the game might be tapping into some sort of otherworldly energy.
Some great ideas for interactive scary stories are stories that take place in a creepy old mansion with lots of locked rooms. The reader can pick which room to unlock first. A story about a serial killer on the loose in a small town is also good. The reader can decide how the main character tries to warn the town or hide from the killer. Additionally, a story set in an underground catacomb filled with ancient tombs. The reader can choose whether the character follows a strange noise or tries to find another way out.
One plot idea could be a haunted house. A family moves into an old, dilapidated mansion. Strange noises start at night, like creaking floorboards and whispering voices. Objects move on their own, and the family members start having nightmares about a dark figure that lurks in the shadows of the house. As they try to uncover the history of the place, they find out that a murder took place there decades ago and the spirit of the killer is still trapped.