One of the most terrifying things in these stories is the slow build - up of dread. Take 'The Masque of the Red Death'. The description of the party and the encroaching presence of death is a slow burn. We know something bad is going to happen but we don't know when or how. And in 'Carmilla', the slow realization that the person you thought was a friend is actually a vampire preying on you is a truly terrifying concept.
Well, in 'awesome short horror stories', the sense of helplessness can be extremely terrifying. For example, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the woman is trapped in her situation. She has no way to escape her confinement or the growing horror of the wallpaper. Another terrifying element is the subversion of the normal. In 'The Lottery', a seemingly ordinary event turns into a brutal sacrifice, shattering our expectations of a normal small - town gathering.
The most terrifying element is often the unknown. In many of these stories, like in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's unhinged mental state is not fully understood. We don't know exactly why he is so obsessed with the old man's eye, and that mystery adds to the horror. Also, in 'The Monkey's Paw', the power of the paw and how it will exact its price is unknown, which scares us.
The unknown is a very terrifying element. For example, in a story where there are strange noises in the dark but you don't know what's making them. It scares people because our imagination runs wild.
In my opinion, 'The Call of Cthulhu' is one of the most terrifying. It involves an ancient, otherworldly being that drives people mad just by the knowledge of its existence. It's a Lovecraftian horror that plays on the fear of the unknown and the cosmos.
Isolation is a big one. When you're on a road trip, you can be in the middle of nowhere. For example, if your car breaks down in a desolate area, like in the desert or a remote forest, and there's no immediate help. It makes you feel vulnerable.
The unknown is one of the most terrifying elements. For example, in stories about haunted campus buildings, not knowing what is making those strange noises or seeing those shadowy figures is really scary.
Isolation can be terrifying. When a babysitter is alone in a house with a baby, especially in a big, empty house or in a remote location. If something strange starts to happen, like the power going out or strange noises, the babysitter may feel completely alone and helpless. There's no immediate help available, and they have to face whatever is causing the horror by themselves, all while taking care of a vulnerable baby.
The extreme weather also plays a part. For example, if you're lost in a blizzard in an Alaska horror story, the cold can kill you quickly. And the snow can cover any tracks or signs of civilization, making it seem like you're in a never - ending white void of doom. Plus, the animals that are adapted to such harsh conditions can seem menacing, like polar bears or wolves that might see you as prey.
The unknown origin of the Sapphire is often a terrifying element. For example, if a Sapphire just shows up in an old attic and then strange things start to happen, not knowing where it came from adds to the mystery and fear.
The unknown. In 'la horror stories', often it's the things that are not clearly seen or understood that are the most terrifying. For example, a strange noise in the dark. You don't know what's making it.
The sense of betrayal. Cops are supposed to protect, so when they turn into something evil or are part of the horror, it's really scary. For example, when a cop starts to hunt down his own colleagues.
The isolation. In vanguard horror stories, the vanguard is often far from any form of help. For example, if they are in a remote battlefield area or an uncharted territory. There's no one to call for backup easily.