What are some good opening lines for horror stories?

The moon was full, but its light couldn't penetrate the thick fog that had swallowed the old, decrepit mansion at the end of the lane.

A great opening is 'The old house at the end of the lane had always been a mystery. Everyone in town had a different story about it.' This makes the reader curious about the house and the various stories. For example, it could lead to a horror story, a mystery about a hidden treasure, or a family secret. The possibilities are endless, and it draws the reader in by presenting an enigma right from the start.

One good opening line could be 'The day started like any other, until the strange noise came from the attic.' It immediately creates a sense of normalcy that is about to be disrupted, which draws the reader in.

One good opening line could be 'The rain fell like a thousand tiny hammers on the tin roof, and in that moment, everything changed.' It immediately sets a mood of unease and signals that something is about to be different. Another is 'She opened the creaky door, not knowing what horror awaited her on the other side.' This creates suspense right away. 'In the dead of night, a lone figure moved through the fog - silent, yet full of purpose.' is also great as it makes the reader wonder who the figure is and what their purpose might be.

One could be 'In the dead of night, a cold wind swept through the desolate cemetery, carrying with it an unearthly chill.'

In Stephen King's 'It', the opening line 'The terror, which would not end for another twenty - eight years - if it ever did end - began, so far as I know or can tell, with a boat made from a sheet of newspaper floating down a gutter swollen with rain.' It hooks the reader right away. The mention of a long - lasting terror and something as simple as a floating paper boat in a rain - swollen gutter creates a contrast that draws you in.

A classic opening line might be 'The graveyard was filled with an unnatural stillness as the moon hung low in the sky.' This not only gives a spooky setting but also creates a sense of unease. The graveyard is a typical horror setting, and the description of the moon and the stillness draws the reader in, making them wonder what lurks within that stillness.

One good line could be 'The darkness seemed to breathe, a living entity that wrapped itself around me.' It creates a sense of the environment being alive and menacing.

The opening line 'The man who bought my soul already owned my body.' is quite a great horror opening. It throws you right into a disturbing situation. It makes you question how someone could have their body and soul in such a compromised state. It's a line that grabs your attention and drags you into a world of horror and the unknown.

One good opening line could be 'In the small, forgotten town, the first drops of rain fell like tears from a long - forgotten sky.' This immediately sets a moody and somewhat mysterious atmosphere. It makes the reader wonder about the town, why it's forgotten, and what significance the rain might have.