One of the scariest long ghost stories is 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. It tells the tale of a governess who believes the two children she is taking care of are being haunted by the ghosts of their former caretakers. The ambiguity of whether the ghosts are real or just a figment of the governess's imagination makes it truly terrifying.
Another long and spooky ghost story is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. It tells the story of a group of people who stay in the supposedly haunted Hill House to study the paranormal. As they spend time there, they experience all kinds of terrifying phenomena. Strange noises, cold spots, and apparitions start to drive them crazy. The way Jackson describes the house as if it has a malevolent will of its own makes it a truly scary read.
Well, one factor is the atmosphere. If the story can create a really spooky and foreboding atmosphere from the start, like a dark and isolated setting, it can be very scary. For example, in 'The Woman in Black', the old, dilapidated house in the middle of the marshlands sets a great creepy mood. Another thing is the unknown. When the ghost's motives or the source of the haunting is left mysterious, it scares people more. In many long ghost stories, the ghosts seem to have no clear reason for their actions, which adds to the horror.
The scariest ghost stories vary according to one's taste, but here are some popular ones:
The Shining was written by Kubrick and is considered a classic horror novel. The story was about one person.
Preface to the Orchid Pavilion was a horror novel written by Scott Card with ancient characters and paintings as The background. The story is about a mysterious organization trying to reveal the secrets of a precious ancient painting.
Dreamwork was written by King and told a story about psychological horror. The protagonist of the story was a psychiatrist who discovered that after drinking a mysterious drink, one would enter a terrifying dream.
The Thing was a horror novel based on biology and mysticism. The story was about a scientist who encountered a terrifying incident while studying a mysterious creature.
5 The Mirror was created by Christie and tells a story about mirrors and ghosts. The story was about a woman who saw her own ghost in the mirror and began a terrifying journey.
These stories were very famous and could stimulate the readers 'sense of horror and horror. But no matter what kind of horror stories readers like, they should remember to protect their own safety and personal information.
The Winchester Mystery House also has a spooky true story. Sarah Winchester, believing she was haunted by the ghosts of those killed by Winchester rifles, continuously built onto her house in a maze - like way. Workers reported strange apparitions and unexplained events during construction, and visitors often claim to feel an eerie presence there.
A real - life ghost story that sends shivers down the spine is that of the Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana. There are tales of ghosts of slaves and a young girl who was murdered there. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions, feeling cold hands on their shoulders, and hearing the sound of crying in the empty halls.
One of the scariest elements could be the sense of the unknown. In many ghost stories, the ghosts are often mysterious figures with unclear motives. For example, a ghost that haunts an old mansion but no one knows why it's there or what it wants. Another scary part is the feeling of being watched. When the characters in the stories constantly feel like they're being observed by an unseen entity, it creates a very eerie atmosphere. Also, the sudden appearance of ghosts can be terrifying, like when a figure suddenly materializes in a dark corridor.
One of the scariest real ghost stories is the story of the Bell Witch in Tennessee. It was said to be a malevolent spirit that haunted the Bell family, causing all sorts of chaos like physical attacks and strange noises. Another is the Amityville Horror. The Lutz family claimed to experience terrifying paranormal activities after moving into the house where a mass murder had occurred. And the Borley Rectory in England was also very spooky. It had reports of apparitions, strange lights, and unexplained noises over a long period of time.
A story about a haunted theater in Manila is also quite scary. Actors and stagehands often report strange happenings. Costumes move on their own, and there are cold spots in the dressing rooms. Some have even heard disembodied voices whispering lines from plays long forgotten. It's as if the ghosts of past performers are still attached to the place and are trying to relive their glory days in a rather spooky way.
The story of the old miner is also very frightening. The thought of a ghost still roaming around in his mining gear, making noises as if he's still working, in the lonely outskirts of Banff. It makes you wonder what kind of a tragic end he had, and his presence seems so out of place and yet so haunting.