Story starters for horror stories: 'I found an old diary in the attic. The pages were yellowed and the handwriting was barely legible.'

You could try to research the symbol. Maybe it's from an old cult or some long - forgotten legend. But be careful, because if it's the start of a horror story, delving deeper might attract unwanted attention. You might unknowingly be opening a door to something evil.

The key could lead to a hidden treasure. Maybe it unlocks a long - forgotten chest filled with gold and jewels that was stashed away by a previous owner of the house.

Well, in this story, the attic could be filled with old, forgotten items. These objects might hold some sort of dark past or energy. For example, there could be an old doll with a cracked face that gives off an unsettling vibe. Also, the isolation of the attic, being a separate space above the rest of the house, makes it a perfect place for horror to unfold.

The comic might use dark and shadowy art to convey the horror. By making the attic look dimly lit and full of shadows, it creates a sense of unease. The facial expressions of the characters when they are near or in the attic could also show fear, which transfers the horror to the reader.

Some good ones could be 'In the dead of night...'. It immediately sets a spooky time. Another is 'The old, creaking door slowly opened...' which creates a sense of mystery and unease. And 'A cold wind blew through the empty corridor...' can make the reader feel a chill right from the start.

One common element is the sense of isolation. Attics are often separated from the rest of the house, making it a perfect place for something spooky to happen. Another is the presence of old and forgotten items. For example, old clothes, dusty furniture, or antique toys can add to the eerie atmosphere.

There was a house with a large basement. A group of friends decided to have a party there. As the night went on, they noticed that the lights in the basement started to flicker. Then, they saw what looked like a handprint on the wall that wasn't there before. They all got spooked and decided to leave. But as they were leaving, they heard a loud bang from the basement, as if something was trying to get out.

This might be a story: 'The old abandoned house was said to be haunted. Everyone in the town avoided it. But I was new in town and didn't believe in such stories. I went inside. There were broken furniture and old portraits on the walls. The eyes in the portraits seemed to follow me. As I walked further, I felt a cold breeze on my neck. I turned around, but there was nothing there. Then, I noticed a locked door. I found a key on the floor and unlocked it. Behind the door was a dark room filled with strange noises.'

Here's an answer. In the middle of the night, I heard a strange noise coming from the attic. I knew I had to investigate. As I climbed the stairs, I felt a cold draft. When I opened the attic door, it creaked ominously. I peered into the darkness, and there was a figure in the corner. It was hunched over, and I couldn't make out what it was. My heart was pounding as I took a step closer.

Well, in the 'Man in the Attic' short horror story, the fear factor can be enhanced by the isolation of the attic. It's a place that's not part of the normal living area of the house. If the story is told from the perspective of the homeowner, they might initially dismiss the signs of the man in the attic as their imagination or something normal. But as time goes on, more and more evidence mounts up. For example, they might hear muffled cries or see a shadowy figure through the attic door crack. This discovery process and the growing sense of dread are what make this type of horror story so effective.