What are the elements that make old creepy witch stories so interesting?

Well, it's the innocence of the kids combined with the creepy elements. Kids don't really understand the full meaning of what they are experiencing. So when they talk about something spooky, it has a different kind of charm. For instance, a kid might befriend a 'ghost' without being afraid. It's this naivete that draws people in. And also, the contrast between the normal world of adults and the strange world the kids seem to be in. We as adults try to rationalize everything, but kids just accept the strange things they see or feel.

The mystery around their connection. Twins are often thought to have a special bond, so when something a bit off or spooky happens, it's interesting. For example, if they both dream the same strange dream on the same night.

The use of the senses can make little creepy stories effective. For instance, describing a cold touch that sends shivers down the spine, or a strange smell that fills the air in an empty room. Unsettling sounds like creaking floorboards or a distant moan also add to the creepiness. And the sense of something lurking just out of sight, waiting to be discovered, keeps the reader on edge.

The unknown is a big factor. When things are not clearly explained, like a strange noise in a dark forest with no obvious source in a story, it makes our imagination run wild. Fear of the dark is also common. A lot of creepy stories use the setting of a pitch - black place where anything could be lurking. Another element is the presence of something that defies normal logic, such as a ghost that can pass through walls.

The unexpected. In a short creepy Christmas Eve story, you expect Christmas cheer, but instead you get something terrifying. For instance, the carolers expecting a warm welcome but finding a haunted house. It plays on our expectations and turns them upside down. This element of surprise hooks the reader and makes them want to keep reading to find out what else could possibly go wrong.

The unknown is a big factor. When there are things that we can't explain, like strange noises in an empty house or a figure that disappears suddenly, it scares us. For example, in a story where a person hears footsteps in an attic but when they go to check, there's no one there.

There's the story of the Witch of Endor. In the Bible, King Saul goes to her to conjure up the spirit of Samuel. The witch lives in a dark and spooky place. When she performs the ritual, a figure rises from the ground which terrifies Saul. This story is creepy because it involves the unknown powers of the witch and the dark nature of the encounter.

The unknown. In these stories, we don't know exactly what the ghost wants or how it will act. It creates a sense of unease.

The false accusations are a big part. Innocent people, like in Salem, were just living their lives when suddenly they were accused of being witches. It's scary to think how easily a community can turn on its own members.

The unknown is a big factor. When things are left unexplained, like a strange noise in the dark with no obvious source, it scares us. It plays on our natural fear of the unseen.