Isolation also plays a role. When you're alone, like when I was camping and saw those glowing eyes, you feel more vulnerable. There's no one around to help you, and your mind starts to play tricks on you. You imagine all sorts of horrible things that could happen. Another element is the setting. An old, abandoned place like the house I went into as a kid has an eerie atmosphere that adds to the scariness. It's full of mystery and decay, and it just gives off a feeling that something bad is going to happen.
The unknown is a big factor. For example, in my camping story, not knowing what was making those rustling sounds and having only a glimpse of the glowing eyes was terrifying. It's the fear of the unseen.
The unknown is a big one. For example, in the story of the strange whispers, not knowing what was making the sound immediately created fear. It's that sense of something being there but not being able to see it clearly.
The element of the unknown. When you don't know what's causing the strange noise or sight, it's really scary. For example, in my camping story, not knowing what was making that howling sound made it terrifying.
The unknown is a big factor. In many extreme scary stories, there are things that can't be easily explained, like the strange noises in a haunted house or the shadowy figures. It makes our minds race with all kinds of possibilities, which is really terrifying.
The unknown is a big factor. In real terrifying stories, when we don't know what is causing the strange events, it scares us. For example, in a story about a haunted place, not knowing what the ghostly presence is or what it wants makes it terrifying.
Well, the use of suspense is a big part. Take a story where a character is being followed but doesn't know by what. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. The unexpected twists are also crucial. Maybe a character thought they were safe, but then suddenly they're in danger again. And the dark settings, like old basements or abandoned asylums in scary stories, add to the overall sense of dread.
The unknown. In scary flash stories, things that are not clearly defined or understood create fear. For example, a strange noise in the dark. You don't know what's making it, and that scares you.
Isolation also plays a role. In many scary stories, the characters are alone, like in an abandoned building or a desolate forest. There's no one to turn to for help, which makes the situation seem more dire. Also, the use of the supernatural, such as ghosts or curses, adds to the terror because it goes beyond our normal understanding of the world. Another element is the sense of impending doom. The feeling that something bad is about to happen and there's no way to stop it.
The unknown. In full scary stories, not knowing what's going to happen next or what that strange noise is really creates fear. For example, in a story about a haunted house, the creaking floorboards could be just old wood, but the idea that it might be something supernatural is scary.
The unfamiliarity of the past periods is a big factor. For example, in stories set in medieval times, the different beliefs, superstitions, and the harsh living conditions create an atmosphere of fear. People didn't have the modern knowledge we have now, and things like diseases were often blamed on the supernatural.