Well, themes in 'most terrifying short stories' include the breakdown of society. In 'The Lottery', the seemingly normal town has a cruel and violent tradition. Another theme is the power of the mind. In stories like 'The Horla', the power of the mind to create and be haunted by its own terrors is explored. And there's the theme of the uncanny. Things that seem familiar but are off - kilter, like in 'August Heat', add to the sense of horror.
One common theme is the unknown. Stories often play on our fear of what we can't understand or explain, like in 'The Monkey's Paw' where the power of the paw is mysterious. Another theme is death. Many of these stories deal with sudden or unexpected death, as in 'The Lottery'. Also, madness is a theme, such as in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the narrator slowly loses her mind.
The theme of the past haunting the present is also prevalent. Ghosts can represent the sins or secrets of the past that won't stay buried. In many stories, the appearance of a ghost forces the living characters to confront things that they or their predecessors have tried to forget or cover up, such as in some old family - haunted house stories.
One common theme could be isolation. Many disturbing stories use isolation to heighten the sense of fear and unease, like a character being alone in a big, empty place. Another might be the loss of sanity, as it makes the reader wonder what they would do in such a situation.
Well, mortality is a common theme. Many of these stories deal with death in one way or another. For instance, 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' has the main character facing death. Another common theme is the search for truth. In 'Young Goodman Brown', the protagonist is on a journey to discover the truth about his faith and the people around him. And there's also the theme of isolation, like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the woman is isolated and it affects her mental state.
One of the terrifying ones is about a family that moved into a new neighborhood. Their daughter started to talk about an invisible friend. But then, things in the house began to move on their own. The family found out that a murder had occurred in the house years ago, and it seemed the spirit was not at peace. The daughter's 'friend' started to become more aggressive, and the family felt constantly in danger.
Often, they have an element of the unknown. For example, in many short ghost stories, the origin of the ghost is not clearly defined. This lack of knowledge creates fear. Another characteristic is the use of atmosphere. A dark, quiet setting like an old house or a deserted forest can make the story scarier. For instance, in stories set in old mansions, the creaking floors and dimly lit hallways add to the terror.
One of the most terrifying is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who kills an old man because he can't stand the old man's 'vulture - like' eye. The guilt drives him insane as he imagines he still hears the old man's heart beating even after the murder.
One common element is the unknown. For example, in many stories, there's a strange noise or a figure in the dark that the character can't identify. It creates a sense of fear because our minds tend to imagine the worst. Another element is isolation. When a character is alone, like the girl home alone in the first story, it amplifies the fear as there's no immediate help available. And often, there's a sense of the supernatural. Whether it's a monster in the woods or a ghost in an apartment, the supernatural elements add to the scariness as they go against the normal rules of our world.
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.
One common theme is chance encounters. Like in many stories, two people meet unexpectedly and that moment changes their lives. Another theme is the power of communication. Whether it's through letters or simple conversations, it deepens the connection between the lovers.
One common theme is mystery. For example, stories about hidden rooms or secret passages in the school. Another theme is the supernatural, like ghosts or magical elements. There are also themes related to school traditions and how they came to be.