The scariest stories are often terrifying because they tap into our deepest fears. For instance, stories about being trapped, like in 'The Pit and the Pendulum'. The protagonist is in a dark, unknown place, facing impending doom from a swinging pendulum. It plays on our fear of confinement, of being at the mercy of some cruel force. Also, the lack of control we feel when reading or watching such stories makes them extremely scary.
The element of psychological terror plays a huge role. Take 'Psycho' as a movie which has a story that can be considered in this category. The slow - building sense of unease, the way Norman Bates seems normal on the surface but has a deeply disturbed psyche, makes it so scary. It makes you question the sanity of those around you and your own safety. It's not just about jump scares but about a deep - seated fear that something is very wrong in a seemingly ordinary situation.
The unknown elements make a scary story terrifying. When there are things that the characters and the readers don't understand, like a strange noise in the dark or a figure that appears and disappears without explanation, it creates fear. For example, in a haunted house story, if there are unexplained cold spots or voices, it gives a sense of unease.
The unknown elements often make it terrifying. In many scary stories, there are things that go beyond our understanding of the normal world, like ghosts or unexplainable phenomena. They play on our fears of the dark and the unexpected.
The atmosphere. It often has dark, dimly lit environments that create a sense of unease. The sound design also plays a huge role. Creaking noises, strange whispers, and sudden loud sounds can startle you.
The element of surprise plays a big role. In a lot of the top 100 most scary stories, there are sudden twists. Like in a story where a character thinks they are safe, but then something unexpected and terrifying happens. Also, the fear of death and the supernatural is often a key factor. Whether it's vampires that represent a perversion of life or ghosts that seem to be from beyond the grave, they all tap into our primal fears.
Their lack of remorse. Villains like Hannibal Lecter don't feel guilty about their actions. They can do the most atrocious things and not bat an eye. It's this cold - blooded nature that scares us.
The ability to create a sense of dread in a short space. Scary short stories often use vivid descriptions and quick pacing. For instance, in 'The Call of Cthulhu', Lovecraft uses a few well - chosen words to describe the otherworldly and terrifying Cthulhu, making the reader feel a deep sense of horror in just a short read.
The element of the unknown. In the most scary true stories, like the Enfield Poltergeist case, things happen that can't be easily explained. Objects move on their own, voices are heard, and it's all in a real - life setting. That's what makes it so scary.
Maybe it's the use of vivid and gory details. For example, if it describes some grotesque monsters with sharp teeth and blood - red eyes. That kind of visual image can easily send shivers down one's spine.
The idea of four corners in a scary story can be terrifying because it gives a sense of enclosure. It's like you're trapped within this space defined by the four corners. Each corner can hold a different element of horror, whether it's a strange sight, a spooky sound, or an unknown presence. It also creates a kind of symmetry in horror, where you expect something bad to be in every corner, and as you explore each one, the tension builds up more and more.
The unknown. In a Beatrice scary story, often things are left unexplained. Like if Beatrice sees a strange shadow that just disappears. We don't know what it was, and that mystery creates fear.