Isolation also plays a big part. Consider the camping story where the person was alone in the woods. Being alone makes you feel vulnerable and heightens the sense of fear. There's no one to turn to for help. And then there are the strange and unexplainable things, like the doll that seemed to move on its own. These things that go against our normal understanding of how the world works are truly terrifying.
One story could be about a haunted house. A family moved in and every night they heard strange noises, like footsteps on the stairs when no one was there. They also saw shadowy figures in the hallways. It was so terrifying that they eventually moved out.
The story of the old abandoned asylum is quite memorable. People who dared to enter it reported seeing patients' apparitions in the old wards and hearing their screams. It gives a sense of the horror that once took place there.
One common theme is adventure. Many user - submitted short stories involve characters going on exciting journeys, like exploring unknown lands or facing difficult challenges. For example, a story where a young adventurer climbs a dangerous mountain to find a hidden treasure.
One interesting user - submitted short story could be about a little girl who finds a magical key in her attic. She uses it to open a door that leads to a world full of talking animals. There, she has all sorts of adventures, like helping the animals solve their problems with a mischievous fox who keeps stealing their food.
Here's another. A user told of a strange encounter in the woods. He was camping alone when he heard a series of low growls that seemed to be circling his campsite. As he peered into the darkness with his flashlight, he saw pairs of glowing eyes. He quickly got into his tent and tried to stay quiet, but the growling continued all night. In the morning, he found large paw prints around his tent that were far too big to be from any normal animal in that area.
Sure. There could be many user - submitted stories about their adventures in nature. For example, stories of hiking in the mountains, seeing beautiful sunsets and encountering unique animals along the way. These stories are full of excitement and the wonder of discovery.