One idea could be a haunted house where strange noises and apparitions keep appearing. Another could be a forest with a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows.
A young woman moves into an old apartment. Every night, she hears a baby crying from the empty room next door. When she investigates, she finds a diary that reveals a tragic past of a mother and child in that apartment.
A haunted house where every room holds a different nightmare. For example, in one room, the walls bleed and the furniture moves on its own. In another, there are ghostly apparitions of long - dead residents. The protagonist must find a way to escape the house before it consumes them completely.
How about a story based on a cursed object? For example, a beautiful antique mirror. Everyone who looks into it sees a distorted version of themselves, and soon they start having nightmares. Then, they notice that their appearance in real life is slowly changing to match the distorted reflection. The mirror has a dark past and was used in some sort of evil ritual.
You could start by thinking about your own fears or phobias. Maybe a creepy place you've been or a strange dream you had. Also, reading other scary stories or watching horror movies can inspire you.
You could begin a scary story with a strange sound or shadow that catches the main character's attention. It builds suspense right away. For example, a mysterious howl in the forest or an unexplained silhouette at the window.
One idea could be a story about a lonely lighthouse keeper. He has spent years in isolation, watching the sea. One day, he discovers a strange object washed ashore. This object turns out to be a magical item that starts to change his life and the way he views the world around him.
One idea could be a haunted house. A family moves into an old, dilapidated mansion. Strange noises start at night, like creaking floorboards and whispering voices. They soon discover a dark secret about the previous owners, who were involved in a satanic ritual in the basement. Shadows start to move on their own, and things disappear only to reappear in a more menacing way.
Imagine a world where people can exchange their dreams. A person who is always dissatisfied with their own dreams decides to trade with others. But they soon realize that each dream has its own problems and that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Through this experience, they learn to appreciate their own dreams and the unique experiences they bring.
In the haunted house story, perhaps the house was once an asylum. The main character, a journalist, decides to spend the night there for a story. As soon as it gets dark, they start to feel a sense of dread. The lights flicker and they hear screams echoing through the halls. They then discover old patient records that reveal a doctor who went mad and killed many patients. The journalist soon realizes that the doctor's spirit still haunts the place and is now after them.