The element of the unknown. For example, in many of the stories, there are unexplained noises or figures. We don't know what they are or what they want, and that scares us.
The unknown elements. In these stories, often there are things that are not fully explained. Like in a story where a door in an old building keeps opening on its own. We don't know what's on the other side. It could be a monster, a ghost, or something even more sinister. This lack of knowledge creates fear.
One common element is the unknown. For example, in many stories, there's a strange noise or a figure in the dark that the character can't identify. It creates a sense of fear because our minds tend to imagine the worst. Another element is isolation. When a character is alone, like the girl home alone in the first story, it amplifies the fear as there's no immediate help available. And often, there's a sense of the supernatural. Whether it's a monster in the woods or a ghost in an apartment, the supernatural elements add to the scariness as they go against the normal rules of our world.
The element of surprise. In short scary stories, the unexpected twists and turns can quickly shock the reader. For example, in 'The Landlady', the seemingly kind landlady has a dark secret about her previous guests. The sudden revelation that she has been poisoning them is a great shock.
One terrifying short story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. In this story, the narrator is obsessed with an old man's vulture - like eye. He eventually kills the old man and hides his body under the floorboards. But his guilt makes him imagine he hears the old man's heart still beating, which drives him to confess. It's a classic that plays on the themes of madness and guilt.
In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', it's the narrator's psychological breakdown that scares. His obsession and the guilt that eventually consumes him are really terrifying. For 'The Monkey's Paw', the idea of getting what you wish for in the most horrible way is what makes it scary. You think you're getting something good but it turns into a nightmare.
The unknown is a very terrifying element. For example, in stories where there are strange noises in the dark woods. You don't know what's making those noises, whether it's a wild animal or something more sinister. Another terrifying element is the isolation. When the characters are alone in the middle of the forest, far from any help, it makes the situation scarier. Just like in the story where the hiker was lost and had no one to turn to.
The unknown. Like in the stories where you hear noises but don't know what's making them. It could be an animal, but it could also be something supernatural. This sense of not knowing what's out there in the dark forest or by the lakeside is really terrifying.
The ability to create a sense of dread in a short space. Scary short stories often use vivid descriptions and quick pacing. For instance, in 'The Call of Cthulhu', Lovecraft uses a few well - chosen words to describe the otherworldly and terrifying Cthulhu, making the reader feel a deep sense of horror in just a short read.
Well, there's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' which features the Headless Horseman. Ichabod Crane, a superstitious schoolteacher, has a terrifying encounter with this spectral figure. Then, 'The Most Dangerous Game' is a nerve - wracking story where a man is hunted for sport on an island. Also, 'August Heat' has an uncanny and disturbing plot where a man seemingly foresees his own doom through a drawing he makes.