He heard a whisper in his ear. When he turned, there was no one there. Ghost stories like these work well because they create a sense of immediate unease. They rely on simple yet effective elements such as the unexpected presence or the sudden, unexplained action. This brevity makes them all the more impactful as they quickly set a spooky mood without over - explaining. The lack of detail in some ways adds to the mystery and the fear factor, leaving a lot to the imagination of the reader or listener.