Well, things like darkness play a big role. In most mildly scary stories, it's always at night or in a very dimly lit place. Also, there are often objects that seem normal but have something odd about them. Take an old mirror that shows a different reflection than it should. And the feeling of helplessness, where the character can't easily get away from the scary situation.
One common element is the element of surprise. For instance, a character thinks they are safe and then suddenly something scary happens. There is also the use of the familiar made strange. Such as a normal neighborhood that at night becomes a place full of mystery and fear. And a slow build - up of tension, not an immediate scare but a gradual increase in the feeling of unease.
There was a story of a little girl who found a strange doll in the attic. The doll had a cracked face and seemed to watch her wherever she went. At night, she would hear soft crying coming from the direction of the doll. When she told her parents, they didn't believe her, but she knew something was very wrong with that doll.
A theme that is often seen is the journey of self - discovery through love. In mildly erotic romance stories, as the characters fall in love, they also discover more about themselves. This can be related to the erotic aspect as they become more in touch with their own desires. Also, the theme of secrecy is common. When the characters keep their relationship or their feelings a secret, it adds to the intensity and can create those mildly erotic moments as they steal glances or have secret rendezvous.
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 element is the use of the unknown. For example, in many horror stories, there are strange noises or shadowy figures that the characters can't immediately identify. This creates a sense of mystery and fear. Another is the isolation of the characters. If they are alone in a spooky place like an old mansion or a dark forest, it heightens the sense of danger. Also, the element of the supernatural often plays a big role. Ghosts, demons, or otherworldly creatures add to the scariness.
One common element is the use of old, often isolated settings. For example, an old house, a deserted factory, or a long - forgotten cemetery. These places are full of mystery and can easily create a sense of unease. Another element is the presence of the unknown. It could be a strange noise, an unexplained figure, or a feeling of being watched. This makes the reader or listener's imagination run wild. Also, many adult scary stories often involve some kind of past tragedy or dark secret that is slowly revealed as the story progresses, like a murder or a family curse.
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.
Isolation is a common element. Just like in the story of the lost hiker, being alone in the snow makes the situation scarier. Another is the cold which can be a deadly threat. In the story of the small town, the cold brought by the witch added to the horror.
Darkness is also very common. It hides the source of fear and makes the whole atmosphere more menacing. For example, in dreams where there are things lurking in the shadows, the lack of light adds to the scariness.
One common element is the presence of spirits. In many Nepalese scary stories, there are spirits of the dead that haunt places. Another element is the use of natural settings like the mountains or forests which are made to seem very menacing. For example, the idea that the mountains are home to creatures like the Yeti.
One common element is the unknown. When there are things that characters and readers don't understand, like strange noises in an old house or a mysterious figure in the fog, it creates fear. Another is isolation. If the characters are alone, like in a desolate cabin in the woods, it makes them more vulnerable and scarier situations can occur.