What are the characteristics of dark bedtime horror stories?

They are often concise. For example, they can quickly set up a spooky situation, like in 'The Footsteps in the Attic' where right from the start, the sound of unexplained footsteps is introduced. Another characteristic is that they usually have a simple yet effective plot twist. In 'The Closed Door', the main character thinks they are safe behind a locked door, but then discovers that the horror is already inside with them. And they often play on common fears, such as the dark or being alone, to create a sense of unease that can send shivers down your spine before you go to sleep.

Dark horror short stories often have a sense of the unknown. They create an atmosphere of dread. For example, they might use settings like old, abandoned houses or desolate landscapes. The characters usually face some sort of inescapable fate or terrifying entity.

There's 'The Tell - Tale Heart'. A narrator tries to convince the reader of his sanity while describing how he murdered an old man because of his 'evil eye'. He hides the body under the floorboards, but then starts to hear the heartbeat of the dead man, which drives him to madness. And 'The Yellow Wallpaper' is also a great dark bedtime horror story. A woman is locked in a room with yellow wallpaper as part of her 'rest cure'. As she stares at the wallpaper, she starts to see a woman trapped behind it, which is a projection of her own trapped state of mind.

Dark horror fiction books often feature elements like the supernatural. For example, ghosts, demons, or vampires. They also tend to have a sense of dread and unease throughout the story. Characters are usually in some sort of peril, either physically or mentally.

The hunter in the dark horror novel might be stealthy. He could have excellent tracking skills, being able to follow his prey quietly in the dark. Also, he might be quite strong physically, with a menacing presence that strikes fear into those he hunts.

Horror fiction dark books usually have a spooky atmosphere. This can be created through detailed descriptions of gloomy settings, such as the haunted house in 'Hell House'. They also tend to play on our fears, whether it's the fear of death, the supernatural, or the breakdown of sanity. In 'The Exorcist', the idea of a young girl being possessed by a demon really taps into our fear of the unknown spiritual forces. Moreover, these books might have unreliable narrators, which adds to the sense of unease and mystery, as in 'House of Leaves' where the narrator's own state of mind is in question.

Dark fantasy horror novels often have a gloomy atmosphere. They usually involve supernatural elements like ghosts, vampires, or demons. For example, in 'Dracula', the presence of the vampire creates a sense of dread.

Bedtime stories are usually gentle and calming. They often have simple plots and positive messages.

Well, many bedtime stories have a rather dark past. Consider 'Bluebeard'. It was based on the idea of a serial killer - like character. The original story was full of horror elements, such as his multiple murdered wives hidden in a locked room. These types of stories had their roots in the need to instill a sense of caution in children. They were also a way to explore the darker side of human nature in a somewhat controlled, narrative way. However, as bedtime stories became more commercialized and aimed at younger children, the really dark parts were often removed or made less prominent.

Well - developed characters are essential. You need to care about the characters so that when bad things happen to them, it really affects you. And the horror elements should be more than just surface - level scares. There could be psychological horror, like characters slowly losing their sanity, or moral dilemmas that add depth to the horror experience.