One common element is the use of the dark. The unknown that lurks in the dark creates a sense of fear. For example, in many stories, things happen only when the lights are out or in a very dimly lit place.
One classic campfire story could be about a haunted forest. There was once a group of hikers who got lost in a dense forest at night. As they walked, they heard strange whispers. The trees seemed to move on their own, and the shadows took on eerie shapes. Every step they took, they felt as if something was watching them. Then, they saw a pair of glowing eyes in the distance. Terrified, they ran, but the eyes seemed to follow them everywhere. They could never forget that night in the forest.
Once upon a time, in a dark forest, there was a haunted cabin. A group of hikers decided to take shelter there during a storm. As they entered, they felt a cold chill. At night, they heard voices whispering their names. One hiker saw a shadowy figure moving towards him. They all ran out in fear and never went back to that forest again. The forest seemed to swallow the cabin after that night.
One such story could be 'The Red Spot'. A girl wakes up one morning to find a strange red spot on her arm. As the day goes on, it starts to grow and spread. By night, when she's alone in the dark, she hears a faint whispering. It turns out the spot is some sort of mark from an otherworldly entity that wants to possess her.
In a story from 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' involving a clown, the clown lived in an old funhouse. The funhouse had been closed for years because of strange happenings. A group of teenagers decided to break in one night. As they explored, they entered a room filled with old clown dolls. But then, a real - life clown emerged from the shadows. His face was pale, and his eyes were bloodshot. He began to laugh in a high - pitched, bone - chilling way and chased the teens through the maze - like funhouse. The teens were terrified as they tried to find a way out while being pursued by this terrifying clown.
It's extremely scary. The vivid descriptions and eerie atmosphere created in the stories make your heart race. But for some hardcore horror fans, it might not be the scariest thing out there.