Another great one is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. In a seemingly ordinary village, there is an annual lottery. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this lottery has a very dark and disturbing outcome. It shows how blindly following tradition can lead to horror.
You can find really good scary short stories in classic literature anthologies. Libraries usually have a wide collection of such anthologies that include works from famous horror authors. For example, the works of H. P. Lovecraft are often included in these collections.
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.
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.
One really good scary story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who is driven mad by the old man's vulture - like eye and finally murders him. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw' which has a cursed object that grants wishes in the most horrifying ways. And 'The Yellow Wallpaper' is also great, where a woman's descent into madness in a room with hideous wallpaper is described in a truly spooky way.
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.
Edgar Allan Poe is another great writer of scary stories. His stories often deal with themes of death, madness, and the supernatural in a very atmospheric and chilling way. For instance, 'The Tell - Tale Heart' and 'The Raven' are his masterpieces that still send shivers down the spines of readers today. There are also many contemporary horror writers like Joe Hill (Stephen King's son), who has written some excellent and disturbing horror novels such as 'Heart - Shaped Box'.
Some of them are really scary. The way they are written, with detailed descriptions and a build - up of suspense, can send shivers down your spine. For instance, a story about a ghostly apparition in an old hospital. The description of the cold, damp corridors and the faint sound of a gurney moving on its own is quite terrifying.
Definitely. Think about it, you rent something from a common place like Redbox, expecting entertainment, but then it turns into a nightmare. The fact that it's so unexpected, like a movie that seems normal but has a hidden, evil presence that starts affecting your real life, is what makes 'redbox scary stories' truly scary.