The unknown is often the scariest part. For example, in a story where a best friend sees a strange figure in the attic, not knowing what it is or if it means harm is terrifying. It plays on our fears of the unseen.
The scariest part can be when the events in the story seem to defy logic. For instance, when a best friend's room keeps getting rearranged in the middle of the night while they sleep. There's no rational explanation for it at first. And the fact that it's your best friend experiencing it makes it even more real and terrifying because you care about them and don't want anything bad to happen to them.
The sense of betrayal by a familiar place or person can be really scary. Like in a story where a best friend's pet starts acting oddly and seems to be possessed. The pet is usually a source of comfort, but when it becomes something strange, it's frightening. Also, the feeling of being trapped in a scary situation with your best friend, like in a haunted house and not being able to find an easy way out, is a very scary aspect.
For me, the scariest is the voices. In exorcism stories, the possessed often speak in strange voices that are not their own, sometimes multiple voices at once. These voices can be guttural, demonic-sounding, and they often say things that are disturbing or full of hatred.
The sense of isolation. Orphans are already alone in the world, and when something scary happens, they have no real family to turn to. For example, in the haunted orphanage stories, they can't just go home to a safe place.
The unexpectedness. For example, in a story about a spooky mirror, you might think it's just a normal mirror at first. But then suddenly it shows a face that's not yours, and that sudden shock is a really scary part. It's the element of surprise that makes dumb scary stories effective.
Maybe the descriptions of the strange creatures. They can be really spooky.
When the shark starts to circle its prey. This creates a sense of impending doom. The prey, whether it's a surfer or a diver, knows that the shark is sizing them up and could attack at any moment. It's like being in a slow - motion horror movie where you can't escape the inevitable.
In some stories, it might be the sense of the unknown. For example, when there are unexplained phenomena like objects moving on their own. You don't know what's causing it, and that's really terrifying.
The suddenness of the attack. For example, when you least expect it, a wasp just dives at you. It gives you no time to prepare.
The unexpected behavior is the scariest part. For example, when Alexa responds in a way that doesn't seem normal, like speaking in a strange voice or at inappropriate times.
The scariest part in some 'Scary Sisters Stories' could be the sense of the unknown. For example, when the sisters don't know what is making those strange noises in the middle of the night.
The unexpected elements are the scariest. Like in a date at an old cemetery, suddenly seeing a hand reaching out from behind a gravestone. It's the shock that gets you.