One sentence is 'I took the job on the isolated island'. The other is 'I didn't know the islanders were cannibals until they started sharpening their knives for me'.
One: I heard strange noises in the basement. Two: Little did I know my neighbor was a cannibal and that's where he kept his leftovers.
Well, 'My phone took a picture of me while I slept. In the photo, there was a figure standing over me.' This is quite scary as it involves the invasion of our private space, especially when we are at our most vulnerable while sleeping. It also adds the mystery of an unknown figure. This makes us wonder what that figure could be and how it got there while we were unaware.
Here's another. 'I woke up to find the world silent. When I looked out the window, all I saw were shoes.' This is scary as the silence implies something is very wrong, and the sight of just shoes is strange and makes you wonder what happened to the people.
A very disturbing story is 'I looked in the mirror. My face was melting like wax.' This is disturbing because it involves something abnormal and grotesque happening to one's own body. It makes you feel a sense of unease and horror. Another one is 'I heard my mother call my name from the kitchen. My mother has been dead for five years.' This plays on the fear of the supernatural and the unexpected return of the dead, which is a common and highly disturbing horror theme.
One could be 'I heard a knock at the door in the middle of the night. When I opened it, no one was there but I felt a cold hand on my shoulder.'
Their brevity. They quickly set a spooky mood without over - explaining. For example, 'She found a photo of herself sleeping. She lives alone.' It gives just enough information to make your mind race with questions and fears.
The sense of inescapability. In the stories, once the bag man is there or the bag starts its strange actions, there seems to be no way out. For instance, if the bag is a portal to nightmares, there's no escaping the horror that awaits. It gives the feeling that the characters are doomed from the start, and this feeling of helplessness is a very terrifying aspect.
I walked into the empty room. Suddenly, I felt a cold hand on my shoulder, but no one was there.
There was a knock on the door. Nobody was there when I opened it.
I woke up to find a shadow at the end of my bed. When I turned on the light, it was gone.