Well, short spooky stories often have an element of the unknown. They might introduce a strange or unexplained phenomenon. For example, in 'The Monkey's Paw', the power of the paw to grant wishes in a twisted way is a mystery. They also usually create a sense of unease quickly. In just a few paragraphs, they can make the reader feel on edge. And they frequently use settings that are isolated or spooky, like the old house in 'The Fall of the House of Usher'.
One spooky Halloween story is about a haunted house. There was an old, dilapidated mansion on the edge of town. Every Halloween night, strange noises could be heard from inside. A group of brave kids decided to enter one year. As they walked in, the doors slammed shut behind them. They saw shadowy figures moving in the dark. One of the kids felt a cold hand on their shoulder but when they turned around, there was nothing there. They ran out as fast as they could, and ever since, no one has dared to go near that house on Halloween.
Edgar Allan Poe is a very famous one. He wrote many spooky short stories like 'The Cask of Amontillado' where a man is walled up alive in a catacomb. Another is H.P. Lovecraft. His stories often involve cosmic horror, such as 'The Call of Cthulhu' which has a sense of the unknown and the terrifyingly large and ancient entities. Shirley Jackson is also well - known for her spooky tales, like 'The Haunting of Hill House' which has been made into a great TV show.
Well, there's 'Carmilla' which is a vampire story. It predates 'Dracula' and has a very eerie atmosphere. The relationship between the main character and Carmilla is both strange and spooky. Then there's 'The Black Cat' by Poe again. A man's alcoholism and his relationship with his pet cat take a very dark and spooky turn. Oh, and 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It seems normal at first but then turns into a very disturbing and spooky tale about a small town's tradition.
Once upon a time, a young girl walked through an old cemetery at night. She heard a faint whisper calling her name. She turned around but saw no one. As she quickened her pace, the whispering grew louder and more urgent. When she finally ran out of the cemetery, she swore she saw a shadowy figure lingering by the gate.
One short spooky kid story is about a little girl who moved into an old house. Every night, she heard strange scratching noises coming from the attic. One day, she bravely climbed up to the attic. There, she saw a pair of glowing eyes in the corner. But when she turned on the light, there was nothing there. She ran downstairs, but the scratching continued every night.
They often have elements of the supernatural. For example, ghosts, witches, vampires, and werewolves are common characters. These elements create a sense of fear and mystery. Another characteristic is the use of spooky settings like old cemeteries, haunted houses, and dark forests. The time of Halloween also adds to the atmosphere, as it is a time when the veil between the living and the dead is said to be thin. They usually have a quick build - up of tension and a short but impactful climax.
There was a story where a young girl was walking home on Halloween. She noticed a strange old woman sitting on a bench. The woman's eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight. As the girl passed by, the woman whispered a warning about a black cat that would cross her path. Ignoring it, the girl continued. Soon, she saw a black cat run in front of her. After that, she started to feel like she was being followed. Every time she looked back, she saw a dark shape lurking just out of sight.