Can you give some more good ways to start off a horror story?

A sudden and unexplained disappearance can start a horror story well. 'When I woke up, my sister was gone. Her bed was empty, and there was no sign of her in the house. Only her favorite doll, with its eyes that seemed to follow me, was left.'

A good starting point for beginners could be to begin with a feeling. 'A sense of unease filled the air as she walked down the empty street.' This helps to create an atmosphere right from the start. Also, starting with a little mystery is great. 'The old box in the attic had been there for years, but today it seemed to be calling to her.' It makes the reader curious about what's in the box and what will happen next.

One good way is to start with an eerie setting description. For example, 'The old, dilapidated house stood at the end of the overgrown lane, its broken windows like empty eye sockets staring into the gloom.'

One good way is to start with an eerie setting description. For example, 'The old, dilapidated mansion stood at the end of the overgrown lane, its broken windows like empty eye sockets staring into the gloom.'

A random act of kindness can also be the start. If one person helps the other out of a difficult situation, like helping someone carry their groceries when they drop them. There's an instant feeling of gratitude, and from there, a conversation might start. This kindness can be the spark that ignites the love story as it shows the good nature of one person towards the other.

One way is to start with a character's internal monologue. For instance, 'I always knew this day would come, but I never expected it to feel like this.' It gives an immediate insight into the character's thoughts and feelings, and the reader can start to form a connection with the character from the very beginning. This can also set up the conflict or the journey that the character is about to embark on.

Start with an interesting encounter that led to the vacation. 'I met a stranger on the bus who told me about this amazing place he had visited. His description was so vivid that I immediately booked a trip there, and that's how my vacation story begins.'

You can open with a battle scene. 'Cannons roared and muskets fired. The pirate ship, the Sea Devil, was engaged in a fierce battle with a merchant vessel. The pirates, led by the ruthless Captain Red, were determined to take the valuable cargo on board the merchant ship. Blood splattered on the decks as the two ships grappled, and this was just the start of a wild adventure that would change the lives of all involved.'

Start with a sense of foreboding. Just say something like 'He knew something was wrong the moment he stepped into the forest. The air was thick with an unspoken dread.' This makes the reader wonder what's going to happen next.

Start with a creepy discovery. For instance, a man exploring an old attic finds a locked box. When he finally manages to open it, he sees a strange object that gives off an evil aura. This discovery can launch the horror story.