What are some elements that make creepy true horror stories so scary?

The unknown is a big factor. In the best creepy ghost stories, we don't fully understand the nature of the ghost. Is it a lost soul? A demon? This lack of knowledge creates fear. For example, in 'The Turn of the Screw', the governess isn't sure if the ghosts she sees are real or just in her head.

The unknown. In creepy real ghost stories, we don't know what the ghost is or what it wants. It's this lack of understanding that makes it terrifying.

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.

One element is the mystery associated with many European locations. Take the Stonehenge in England for instance. While it's not exactly a horror story on its own, but the fact that its purpose is still not fully understood gives an air of mystery. And when combined with local legends about sacrifices or other dark deeds, it becomes terrifying. Another factor is the superstitions that have been passed down through generations. In some parts of Europe, there are superstitions about witches and dark spirits, and these are often incorporated into horror stories, making them more believable and thus scarier.

Often these stories involve a sense of intrusion. For example, if something in your own home is acting strangely and you can't stop it. It makes you feel like your personal space has been violated in a very strange and unexplainable way. Also, the lack of control. You can't figure out what's going on or how to stop it, which is really disturbing.

The element of the unknown is key. For example, in a story where there are strange noises at night but no clear source, it makes people's imagination run wild. It plays on our natural fear of the things we can't explain.

One element is the sense of the unknown. For example, in stories where there are unexplained noises or apparitions, not knowing what's causing them creates fear. Like in a story where a person hears knocking on the walls but can't find the source.

The element of the unexpected. In a creepy true story, something might seem normal at first, but then suddenly something out of the ordinary occurs. For instance, you might be walking in an old cemetery and suddenly feel a cold hand on your shoulder when you thought you were alone. This sudden jolt of the unexpected is what makes these stories so chilling. It catches us off - guard and sends shivers down our spines.

Isolation also plays a role. When characters are alone, like in a big, old, deserted house, they are more vulnerable. It makes the reader feel that there's no one to help them. A good example is in 'The Shining' where the family is isolated in the hotel in the mountains. And the use of the supernatural, like ghosts, vampires or demons, scares people because it defies the laws of nature that we are used to.

Well, first of all, the unknown factor is really spooky. In these stories, the kids don't really know what they are getting into when they knock on those doors. The people who answer the doors are often very strange. Take the old woman with the crooked smile or the man in the black cloak. Their appearance is quite off - putting. Then there are the items they give out. Teeth in a box of cookies? That's just disturbing. And the fact that these things seem to have some sort of hidden meaning or curse associated with them makes it even scarier. The overall environment of the houses, whether it's the eerie silence or the strange smells, also contributes to the spookiness. For example, a house with a pet raven gives off a very gothic and spooky vibe. All these elements combined create a really creepy atmosphere for the trick - or - treating horror stories.