One classic scary werewolf short story is 'The Wolf-Man' by Curt Siodmak. It's a great read with its chilling description of the transformation into a werewolf. The main character Larry Talbot's struggle against his inner beast is really engaging.
Another well - known one is 'The Werewolf' by Angela Carter. This story combines elements of horror and feminism. Carter uses vivid language to describe the werewolf, and it also delves into themes of female power and the duality of human nature. It's not just a simple horror story about a werewolf, but also makes you think about deeper concepts.
There's also 'The Company of Wolves' which is related to werewolf lore. It has a very atmospheric setting in a forest. The story plays with the idea of the werewolf as a threat, but also as a part of the wild nature. It has some really suspenseful moments where the characters are in danger from the werewolf, and the descriptions of the wolf's appearance and actions are quite terrifying.
One classic scary sleep over story is 'The Hook'. It's about a couple parked in a lover's lane. They hear on the radio about an escaped convict with a hook for a hand. Then they hear strange noises outside the car. Later, when the boy drives away in a panic, they find a hook dangling from the car door handle. It's really spooky.
A classic is the story of the vanishing hitchhiker. A driver picks up a young woman on a lonely road. She gives an address but when they arrive, she has disappeared from the car. Later, the driver discovers that the address she gave was a cemetery. Another is the haunted campsite. People who camp there at night always hear strange noises and see apparitions floating around their tents.
One classic is 'Corpse Bride'. It has a spooky yet somewhat romantic story set in a dark, Tim Burton - esque world. Another is 'The Nightmare Before Christmas', which blends Halloween and Christmas themes in a delightfully creepy way. And 'Monster House' is also a great one, with a really scary house as the main focus of the story.
One classic is the story of the New Year's Eve Phantom. Legend has it that on the stroke of midnight, a figure in a tattered white gown appears in the town square. It's said to be the spirit of a person who died on New Year's Day many years ago, unable to move on. Another is about a haunted mansion where every New Year, strange noises come from the attic as if the ghosts are having their own New Year's celebration.
The story 'Red Riding Hood' can also be considered a great werewolf - like scary story. The big bad wolf that tries to deceive and eat Little Red Riding Hood is a very iconic werewolf - esque character. It shows the danger that lurks in the forest and how innocence can be at risk. It has been retold in many versions, each adding its own elements of horror.
One classic werewolf horror story is 'The Wolf Man'. It features a man who is cursed to transform into a werewolf during full moons. Another is 'An American Werewolf in London' which combines horror with dark humor as the main character struggles with his new lycanthropic nature. Also, the short story 'The Werewolf' by Angela Carter is well - known for its unique take on the werewolf legend.
One good one might be 'The Haunted House'. It has a really spooky atmosphere with creaking floors and strange noises. Another could be 'The Shadow Man' which plays on the fear of the unknown figure lurking in the dark. And 'The Cursed Doll' is also great as it gives an eerie feeling about an inanimate object coming to life.
Classic short scary stories often have a sense of the unknown. They introduce elements that are not easily explained, like the supernatural or the grotesque. For example, in 'The Monkey's Paw', the power of the paw and how it works is a mystery. Another characteristic is the build - up of tension. In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's increasing paranoia creates a lot of tension before the final revelation. They also usually have a simple yet effective setting, like the small town in 'The Lottery' which makes the horror more relatable.
One characteristic is that they create a sense of isolation. In 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge', the main character is in a very isolated situation which adds to the horror. Classic scary short stories also use suspense effectively. In 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow', the anticipation of the headless horseman's appearance builds suspense. They may also involve the supernatural or the abnormal. 'The Tell - Tale Heart' has the narrator's abnormal obsession which is quite spooky. Moreover, they can be set in ordinary places which makes the horror seem more real, as in 'The Lottery' which is set in a small town.
The physical appearance of a werewolf is one thing that makes it scary. Its large, hulking body covered in fur, sharp claws and teeth can be intimidating. For example, in stories where it pounces on its prey, those claws and teeth are deadly weapons.