The atmosphere that is created in these stories is a big factor. Dark, lonely settings like an old cemetery or an abandoned building. And the use of sudden scares, such as a face suddenly appearing in a window or a cold hand grabbing someone's shoulder out of nowhere. All these elements combined make the stories in 'creppiest ghost stories' truly creepy.
The unknown. In ghost stories, there are things that can't be easily explained. It gives people a thrill.
The unknown factor. In top real ghost stories like the Winchester Mystery House story, no one really knows what's causing all the strange things. The Winchester House has doors leading to nowhere, staircases that end abruptly. It's this mystery that gives you the chills.
The atmosphere. When you're around a campfire, it's dark all around except for the small circle of light from the fire. This creates a perfect setting for a spooky story. The crackling of the fire and the unknown sounds of the night add to the creepiness.
The history behind asylums makes true asylum ghost stories creepy. They were places where people with mental illness were often mistreated and locked away. The idea of tortured souls lingering in those halls is terrifying.
The use of dark colors. For example, in many covers, black, gray, and deep purple are often used. These colors create a moody and foreboding atmosphere. Just like the cover of 'The Haunting of Hill House', the dark tones on the cover make you feel that there are unseen terrors lurking within the story.
The unknown factor. In extremely creepy ghost stories, we don't know what the ghost really is or what it wants. For example, in a story where a ghost haunts an old house, we don't know if it's a vengeful spirit or just a lost soul. This lack of knowledge creates fear.
The unique art style. Anime has the ability to create really strange and otherworldly looking ghosts through its distinct art. For example, in 'Another', the distorted and pale faces of the characters in the spooky scenes are very effective in creating a sense of dread.
They often contain a moral or a lesson in a way. For instance, in a story where a greedy person is haunted by a ghost, it might be teaching us about the consequences of greed. Even though it's a spooky story, there's often a deeper meaning that can be explored, which makes these short stories more than just tales to scare us.
The setting of Night Vale itself is very strange. It has all these odd occurrences and a sense of the uncanny in its normal day - to - day life. When you add ghost stories to that already eerie backdrop, it just amps up the creepiness. For example, the way the town has strange weather patterns and odd radio broadcasts. All these elements combined make the ghost stories set in Night Vale on 4chan extra creepy.
A sense of unease and a feeling of being watched are key factors. For example, in some stories, people feel a cold presence following them. It's not just about seeing a ghostly figure, but also that lingering feeling that something is not right. It could be a sudden drop in temperature in a room where no one else is around, or a feeling of dread that overcomes you for no apparent reason. This makes the story more than just a spooky tale, but something that can really get under your skin.