Loss is a big element. For example, if a person loses a dear friend or family member close to Halloween. It could be like a character in a story who was supposed to go trick - or - treating with their best friend but then the friend moves away suddenly.
Disappointment can also make a Halloween story sad. Such as when a child has been dreaming of a certain costume all year, but their parents can't afford it. The child then has to go out in a simple, makeshift costume while seeing other kids in their elaborate ones.
Surprise endings can make a sad story interesting. For example, when you think a character is going to be saved but then they aren't. It catches the reader off - guard.
Mystery is a key element. For example, in stories where something unexplained happens like strange noises or objects appearing out of nowhere. It gives a sense of the unknown that is associated with Halloween.
The unknown is a key element. For example, in a story where there is a strange noise in an empty house on Halloween night, not knowing what is making the noise creates fear. Darkness also plays a part. A lot of scary Halloween stories are set at night, like when a person is walking alone in a dark forest on Halloween and senses something lurking. Another element is the supernatural. Ghosts, witches, and demons are common in these stories as they go against the normal rules of the world and are unpredictable.
One element is the use of the unknown. When the reader or listener doesn't know what's going to happen next, it creates a sense of unease. Another is the play on superstitions. Things like black cats, broken mirrors, and the number 13 can all be incorporated into a dark Halloween story. Also, a feeling of isolation, like a character being alone in a spooky place, makes the story more intense. For instance, a person lost in an old, haunted asylum on Halloween night with no way to call for help.
Family issues could also be an element. If iu has a family member who is ill or in trouble and she can't be there as much as she wants to due to her busy schedule. This would cause her a great deal of sadness as she tries to juggle her career and her family responsibilities but can't do it perfectly.
Poverty is a major element. Many Filipinos struggle to make ends meet, and this can lead to a lot of sad situations like not being able to afford proper medical care or having to live in sub - standard housing.
Loss is a common element. Like the loss of a loved one, whether it's a person or a pet. It brings great pain and a sense of emptiness.
The use of spooky settings like old cemeteries, abandoned mansions, or dark forests. These places have an inherent sense of dread. Take a story set in an old cemetery where the tombstones seem to move at night. It adds to the scariness. Also, the presence of supernatural elements such as ghosts, witches, and vampires. They are classic Halloween figures that bring a sense of the otherworldly to the story. They can do things that defy the laws of nature, which is both fascinating and terrifying.
The element of the unknown makes them terrifying. In many true Halloween stories, there are things that can't be easily explained, like strange noises or apparitions. It plays on our fear of the unknown and what might be lurking in the dark.
Elements that make an adult scary Halloween story include a sense of helplessness. When the characters in the story feel like they have no way to escape the horror, it makes the story scarier. Morbid themes can also be effective. Such as death, curses, or the afterlife. The idea of being haunted by something from beyond the grave. Also, the use of psychological horror. For example, a character slowly losing their sanity as they are trapped in a spooky situation. This can be more terrifying than just physical threats as it plays on the mind of the reader or listener.