Most likely, there are some scary parts in the 'Random House Kid Ghost Stories'. The idea of ghosts alone can be intimidating to kids. But these stories are also designed to be age - appropriate, so while there may be scares, they won't be too extreme or traumatizing for young readers.
One random scary story is about a haunted house. There was an old, dilapidated mansion on the outskirts of town. People said that at midnight, you could see a figure in white wandering around the attic. A group of teenagers once dared to enter. As they walked through the creaking hallways, they heard strange whispers. Suddenly, the doors started slamming shut on their own. They were so terrified that they ran out as fast as they could, and some of them claimed to feel cold hands grabbing at their ankles as they fled.
Here is a short scary story. There was a girl who lived in an old house. One night, she heard strange scratching noises on her window. When she looked out, she saw a pair of glowing eyes in the dark. She was so scared that she hid under her covers. But the scratching continued. Suddenly, the window opened by itself and a cold wind blew in. She could hear a low growl as if something was coming closer and closer.
One common element is the sense of isolation. Like in stories set in a deserted place such as an old house in the middle of nowhere or a deep, dark forest. Another is the unknown entity. It could be a ghost, a monster or some other supernatural being that the characters can't fully understand. Darkness is also often used. It creates an atmosphere of fear and hides what might be lurking. For example, in many stories, things start to happen when the lights go out or in a pitch - black alley.
Once upon a time, there was a girl walking alone in the forest at night. She heard strange noises coming from the bushes. All of a sudden, a pair of glowing eyes emerged. She froze in fear. But then, a cute little rabbit hopped out. It was just a false alarm.
Here's a different short scary story. A young boy was home alone. He was in his room playing video games when the power suddenly went out. He used his flashlight to find some candles. As he was lighting the candles, he heard a strange noise coming from the attic. It sounded like someone was dragging heavy chains. He was too afraid to go and check, but the noise kept getting louder and louder.
There is a story of a clever fox. It was always outsmarting the other animals in the forest. One time, it tricked the wolf into thinking there was a huge feast on the other side of the river, just to get the wolf out of its territory.
Dark and isolated settings are common, like an old cemetery or a deserted attic. Creepy noises are also often there, such as moans or whispers. Strange figures or apparitions are another element, like a shadowy shape in the corner.
Well, random stories are great because they break the mold. They don't follow a set pattern, so they can introduce unique ideas and perspectives. Also, they can be more unpredictable, making you engaged throughout.