really scary very short stories

Their brevity. They get straight to the point. There's no time for long - winded build - up. For example, in 'The Hitchhiker', the simple idea of a hitchhiker who keeps reappearing no matter what is terrifying in just a few pages.

Another one is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. In a small town, there is an annual lottery. At first, it seems like a normal event, but as the story progresses, it turns out that the 'winner' of the lottery will be stoned to death by the townspeople. It shows the dark side of human nature and blind adherence to tradition.

One night, I heard a strange scratching at my window. I peeked out, but saw nothing. Then I heard it again, closer. Suddenly, a pale face stared back at me.

The use of atmosphere can make a short story really scary. If you set the scene in a dark, abandoned place like an old cemetery or a deserted house, it immediately gives off an eerie feeling. Additionally, having relatable characters who are in danger makes the reader more invested in the story. When bad things start to happen to them, the reader can imagine themselves in that situation, which is terrifying. For instance, a story about a person alone in a haunted forest at night, lost and hearing strange howls. The combination of the setting, the vulnerability of the character, and the mystery of the howls all contribute to the scariness.

Very short scary stories often rely on common fears such as the dark, the unknown, and being alone. They use vivid but minimal descriptions to create a sense of unease. For instance, a story could say 'He walked into the empty house. The creaking floorboards were the only sound. Then he saw a shadow move.' This builds tension without a lot of extra words. Also, they can play on superstitions like ghosts or curses to make the reader feel scared.

One really scary short story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a narrator who is driven mad by an old man's vulture - like eye and eventually murders him. The narrator's increasing paranoia as he hears the heartbeat, which may be his own guilt - ridden conscience, is truly terrifying.

Effective use of the unknown is a big factor. In really scary short stories, authors often leave a lot to the imagination. Instead of showing every detail of the monster or the horror, they give just enough hints to make the reader's mind fill in the blanks, which can be much scarier. For instance, in some stories, the source of a strange noise is never fully revealed, leaving the reader to wonder and fear. Also, the ability to create a sense of unease or dread quickly is crucial. A well - crafted first sentence can set the mood for the whole story, making the reader feel on edge from the start.

Well, very short scary stories usually rely on creating an instant sense of dread. They don't have much room for complex character development. Instead, they focus on a single, terrifying moment or a short sequence of events. For instance, a story might be about a person opening a door to a room that was always locked, and inside there's a menacing figure. This sudden shock is what makes these stories effective. They can also use simple but powerful descriptions like 'the room was filled with a cold, damp air that smelled of death' to set the mood.

One true short and scary story is about the Bell Witch. In Tennessee, there was a spirit that haunted the Bell family. It would make strange noises, pull people's hair, and even slap them. It tormented the family for years, and many witnesses attested to its existence.

Yes, they can be. Ghost stories often play on our fears of the unknown, and in this book, they might be especially spooky. The short format allows for quick jolts of fear.