The element of unpredictability in real horror stories is a big factor. In a fictional horror story, we might be able to anticipate some of the scares based on the genre's tropes. But in real - life horror stories, anything can happen. There could be a seemingly normal situation that suddenly turns terrifying. For example, a person going about their daily business in an old building and then suddenly experiencing something completely out of the ordinary, like seeing a figure that shouldn't be there or feeling an overwhelming sense of evil. It's this sudden intrusion of the abnormal into the normal that makes real horror stories so frightening.
The fact that they are real makes them scary. Knowing that these things actually happened to someone, not just made - up in a fictional story. For example, if you hear about a real - life encounter with a ghost, it's much scarier than a fictional ghost story.
Scary real horror stories often involve the unknown. People are scared of things they don't understand. In these stories, there might be unexplained phenomena like strange noises, apparitions, or sudden feelings of dread. And because they are real, there's no easy explanation like in a movie where you know it's special effects. For instance, in a real haunted house story, there's no way to say for sure it's not a real spirit causing the disturbances. Also, these stories can play on our deepest fears, like the fear of death or the fear of being alone in a dangerous situation.
Another aspect that makes real frightening stories scary is the way they can seem so real. Sometimes, these stories are based on real - life experiences or events that people claim to have happened. When we hear about a place that has a reputation for being haunted, and then we hear a detailed story about someone's encounter there, it makes it more believable. This believability makes the fear more palpable, like the story of an old cemetery where people have reported seeing apparitions. It makes us wonder if we were to visit that place, would we also have a similar encounter?
The unknown. In real scary stories, often there are elements that we can't explain. Like a strange noise in an empty house. We don't know what's causing it, and that scares us.
The element of unpredictability makes them so scary. In horror real stories, events unfold in real - life settings that we are familiar with. So when something out of the ordinary and terrifying happens, like a sudden appearance of a ghost - like figure in your own backyard which has been normal all your life, it completely shatters our sense of security and makes us feel vulnerable.
The fact that they are true stories. Knowing that these horrible things actually happened in real life makes it much scarier than fictional horror. It makes you wonder if something similar could happen to you or someone you know.
One reason real scary ghost stories are so scary is that they often seem to break the laws of nature. Ghosts can pass through walls, appear and disappear suddenly, and interact with the physical world in ways that are impossible for living beings. Take a story where a family's furniture moves on its own. There's no logical explanation for it in our normal understanding of the world. This violation of what we consider normal and possible makes these stories truly terrifying. Also, the psychological aspect of it, how it makes us question our own beliefs and safety, adds to the fear.
Another factor is the cultural and psychological impact. Many scary monster stories are deeply rooted in our cultural heritage. For instance, the vampire stories that have been passed down through generations in various cultures. Vampires are associated with death, blood - sucking, and the undead. They represent a violation of the natural order of life and death. Our upbringing and the cultural context in which we are exposed to these stories make them even scarier. When we hear these stories, they tap into our primal fears of the dark, the unknown, and the threat of being preyed upon.
The unknown factor makes real scary monster stories frightening. We don't know if these monsters truly exist or not. For example, in the Loch Ness Monster stories, no one can be sure if there is actually a huge, prehistoric - like creature in the loch. This uncertainty plays on our fears.
The unknown elements in 21 scary stories often make them frightening. When we don't know what's lurking in the dark or what will happen next, it creates fear.
Often, it's the combination of elements. It could be the setting, like a dark and isolated place in the stories. And the characters' vulnerability. If the main character in one of the 7 stories is all alone in a spooky old mansion with no way to escape, that's pretty frightening. Also, the use of suspense, like when the story builds up to a big scare moment but keeps you in suspense for a while.
The mystery around vampires makes them frightening. We don't really know if they exist or not. In the stories, they can be anywhere, lurking in the shadows. They often have superhuman strength and speed, which means they can catch you before you even realize it. Also, their thirst for blood is a disturbing aspect. The idea of someone or something draining you of your life essence is terrifying.