Supernatural elements play a big role. Be it ghosts, monsters or otherworldly creatures. In a lot of scary child stories, these elements are what drive the horror. For instance, the Babadook is a supernatural entity that torments the mother and son. It has powers that are not of this world and that's what makes it so terrifying for the characters in the story and for the readers or listeners as well.
One common element is the presence of the unknown. For example, in stories like 'The Babadook', the nature of the creature is not fully understood at first. Another element is the vulnerability of children. Since they are small and often less able to defend themselves, it makes the situation scarier. Like in 'The Changeling' where the child is an easy target for the otherworldly being.
The most terrifying element is often the loss of a child's innocence. For example, when a child starts to show signs of extreme fear or paranoia that are not typical for their age. It's scary to see them so affected.
One common element is the unknown. When there are things that can't be easily explained, like strange noises in an empty house or a figure that disappears when you look closer, it creates fear.
One common element is the presence of the unknown. For example, in many scary stories, there is a mystery figure or thing that people don't understand, like the shadow in the haunted house story. Another element is the sense of isolation. When the characters are alone, like the hiker in the forest, it makes the situation scarier. Darkness is also a common element as it hides the threats and adds to the sense of fear.
One common element is the sense of isolation. In many 1999 scary stories, characters find themselves alone in a spooky place like an abandoned building or a dark forest. Another is the use of the unknown. For example, strange noises or shadowy figures that the characters can't explain. Also, a lot of these stories play on the fear of the past. Maybe it's an old object with a history, like a cursed doll, that brings the horror.
One common theme is the supernatural. Ghosts, witches, and haunted places often appear. For example, in many stories, there are haunted houses or forests where strange things occur. Another theme is the danger that children face, whether it's from an evil entity or from getting lost in a spooky place. This reflects the fears that children might have in real life.
One common element is old or abandoned places like old houses, attics, or wells. These places are often associated with the unknown and mystery. Another is strange sounds such as whispers or unexplained music like the lullaby in the previous story. Also, seeing ghostly figures of children, usually in old - fashioned clothes which gives a sense of the past.
Supernatural creatures are a common element. Like the ones I mentioned before, such as the Rolling Calf, Soucouyant, and Duppy. These creatures often have specific characteristics and behaviors that make them both fascinating and terrifying.
One common element is the presence of supernatural beings like jinns or divs. These are often depicted as powerful and sometimes malevolent entities that can cause chaos and fear. For example, in many stories, they can change their forms to deceive humans.
The concept of fate and the supernatural's influence on it is another element. In many of these stories, misfortunes are not just random but are caused by the actions of these supernatural beings. For example, when the Egbere haunts the forest, it's not just a random event but part of the overall belief in a world where the supernatural controls certain aspects of human fate.
One common element is the idea of the corpse being restless. It's often depicted as not being at peace in death, so it haunts places or people. For example, a corpse might be seeking revenge for an unfair death.