What are some good ideas for a scary story when in the mood for a scary story?

One great option is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It's a classic vampire tale filled with mystery and horror. The character of Dracula is both alluring and terrifying.

How about a camping trip gone wrong in a forest rumored to be home to a vengeful spirit? The isolation and unknown can add to the scare factor.

Another way is to start with a character in a vulnerable situation. For instance, 'He woke up in a cold sweat, disoriented in the pitch - black room. He could hear strange scratching noises coming from the walls, and he had no idea how he got there. His phone was dead, and there was no way to call for help.' This creates tension right from the start.

How about a story set in a dark forest? A hiker gets lost in the forest at night. As he tries to find his way out, he hears strange howls. He comes across a clearing where there are strange symbols carved into the trees. Suddenly, he feels like he's being watched from all directions. Every step he takes seems to lead him deeper into the unknown and the sense of dread just keeps growing.

How about a story based on a cursed object? For example, a beautiful antique mirror. Everyone who looks into it sees a distorted version of themselves, and soon they start having nightmares. Then, they notice that their appearance in real life is slowly changing to match the distorted reflection. The mirror has a dark past and was used in some sort of evil ritual.

One idea could be 'The Haunting of Blackwood Manor'. It gives the impression of a place filled with ghosts or other spooky entities. Another title could be 'The Shadow in the Attic', which makes the reader wonder what that shadow might be. And 'Cursed Woods: A Terrifying Encounter' is also a good title as it implies that there's something very wrong in the woods and a scary encounter awaits.

One idea is a story set in a creepy asylum. The readers can decide which rooms the protagonist explores, and each room could hold different horrors like a deranged patient or a strange experiment gone wrong. Another idea is a story about a cursed town. The choices could be whether to trust the strange old man who offers help or to go it alone. A third idea is a haunted ship at sea. The reader can choose actions like searching for the source of the strange noises or staying in their cabin, with different terrifying consequences for each choice.

One scary idea could be a haunted house. A family moves into an old, dilapidated mansion that has a dark past. Strange noises start at night, like creaking floors and whispering voices. Shadows move on their own, and the family members start to feel like they're being watched all the time. Doors slam shut unexpectedly, and cold spots appear throughout the house. As they try to uncover the mystery, they find that the previous owners were involved in some sort of dark magic ritual that went wrong, and now the spirits are angry and want to drive the new family out.

Suspense is essential. Keep the readers guessing about what will occur next. For example, if a character hears a strange noise but doesn't know what it is yet. Also, a sense of danger. The characters should be in a situation where they could be harmed at any moment. This makes the mood remain scary.

You could write about a haunted doll. Dolls are often quite creepy. Imagine a doll that moves on its own at night, its eyes following people around the room.