The setting of the story might make it scary too. If the bear is in a place where people feel they should be safe, like a backyard or a small town. And if the characters in the story are helpless against the bear, like they don't have any proper weapons or means of protection. The idea that the bear can overpower them easily makes the 'the scary bear story' a truly scary one.
The unexpected movement can be really scary. For example, if a teddy bear that is supposed to be just a stuffed toy suddenly starts to move on its own, like crawling across the floor or sitting up when no one is touching it. That goes against what we know about teddy bears, which are usually associated with comfort and safety.
Perhaps it's the unknown nature of Charles the Bear. If we don't know much about him, like what he's capable of or where he might be lurking, that can be really scary.
The contrast between the cute and cuddly appearance of a teddy bear and the spooky, ghostly elements is what makes teddy bear ghost stories so scary. A teddy bear is supposed to be soft, warm, and friendly. But in a ghost story, it can move on its own, have glowing eyes, or make strange noises. This contradiction between its normal, friendly nature and the eerie behavior in the story creates a sense of unease and horror. It's like the innocence has been corrupted, and that scares us.
The size of a big bear makes it scary. A bear can be much larger than a human, and its sheer physical presence is intimidating. For example, if a character in a story is face - to - face with a big bear, they will immediately feel small and vulnerable.
A teddy bear story can be scary when it defies the normal, cute and cuddly perception of a teddy bear. If it starts to act in a way that is completely unexpected and malevolent. For instance, if it whispers strange things to the person who owns it. Or if it has a connection to a spooky place or event. Say it was found in a haunted house, and it seems to carry the essence of that haunted place with it. The contrast between the innocent appearance of a teddy bear and the horrible things it does is what really makes the story scary.
In the 'Scary Sally Story', it could be the sense of isolation that Sally feels that makes it so scary. If she is alone in a place where she can't get help easily, such as in an old mansion in the middle of nowhere. And if there are things that seem to be out of place or not normal, like objects moving by themselves or strange voices whispering in her ear. The combination of being alone and these abnormal occurrences can be truly terrifying. It also might be that Sally herself is a relatable character, so readers or listeners can put themselves in her shoes and feel the fear more intensely.
The mystery surrounding Gengar adds to the fear factor. We don't really know where it comes from or what its true motives are in a scary story. It could be lurking anywhere, waiting to play a cruel trick on an unsuspecting victim. It might be hiding in the corner of a spooky attic or in the bushes outside a lonely house, and this sense of the unknown makes it extremely scary.
The atmosphere. If it's set in a dark, isolated place, it can be really frightening.
His actions might make him scary. For instance, if he stalks people in the story or does something really cruel to his victims. Also, the mystery surrounding him. If no one knows where he came from or what his motives are, that adds to the scariness.
It could be the setting. If the story takes place in a spooky location like an old cemetery or a haunted house, that would make it scary.