A sense of the unknown is crucial. Orphans may not know their past, and in these stories, their past often holds dark secrets. There could be a curse related to their family that they are unaware of, or something sinister about the reason they became orphans in the first place, which adds to the overall scariness.
Mysterious settings are also common. Old, dilapidated buildings like abandoned mansions or ancient convents that have a history of their own. These places can hold secrets and hidden horrors, just waiting to be discovered by the unsuspecting orphans. For instance, a haunted attic or a locked basement in the orphanage.
One common element is strong self - motivation. Orphans who succeed often have an inner drive to prove themselves and make something of their lives. For example, many orphans who succeed in business are highly motivated to create a stable future for themselves. Another element is the ability to find support outside of family. They might form strong bonds with mentors or friends who help them along the way. Also, a sense of purpose is important. They usually find something they are passionate about, like education or art, and pursue it wholeheartedly. This gives them direction and a reason to keep going even when faced with difficulties.
One common element is the unknown. When there are things that can't be easily explained, like strange noises in an empty house or a figure that disappears when you look closer, it creates fear.
One common element is the presence of the unknown. For example, in many scary stories, there is a mystery figure or thing that people don't understand, like the shadow in the haunted house story. Another element is the sense of isolation. When the characters are alone, like the hiker in the forest, it makes the situation scarier. Darkness is also a common element as it hides the threats and adds to the sense of fear.
One common element is the sense of isolation. In many 1999 scary stories, characters find themselves alone in a spooky place like an abandoned building or a dark forest. Another is the use of the unknown. For example, strange noises or shadowy figures that the characters can't explain. Also, a lot of these stories play on the fear of the past. Maybe it's an old object with a history, like a cursed doll, that brings the horror.
The sense of isolation. Orphans are already alone in the world, and when something scary happens, they have no real family to turn to. For example, in the haunted orphanage stories, they can't just go home to a safe place.
Supernatural creatures are a common element. Like the ones I mentioned before, such as the Rolling Calf, Soucouyant, and Duppy. These creatures often have specific characteristics and behaviors that make them both fascinating and terrifying.
One common element is the presence of supernatural beings like jinns or divs. These are often depicted as powerful and sometimes malevolent entities that can cause chaos and fear. For example, in many stories, they can change their forms to deceive humans.
The concept of fate and the supernatural's influence on it is another element. In many of these stories, misfortunes are not just random but are caused by the actions of these supernatural beings. For example, when the Egbere haunts the forest, it's not just a random event but part of the overall belief in a world where the supernatural controls certain aspects of human fate.
One common element is the idea of the corpse being restless. It's often depicted as not being at peace in death, so it haunts places or people. For example, a corpse might be seeking revenge for an unfair death.
One common element is the presence of spirits. In many Apache scary stories, the spirits of ancestors or those who died in battle play a significant role. They can either protect or haunt the living depending on how the living behave. Another element is the use of nature as a backdrop for the scares. For example, a desolate canyon or a dark forest can be the setting where the spooky events occur. Also, the idea of curses is common. A person or a place can be cursed by an evil shaman or witch, leading to all kinds of terrifying consequences.