The use of atmosphere is crucial too. A dark, gloomy setting like an old abandoned asylum or a fog - covered forest in a story can set the mood for terror. The descriptions of the place, the cold air, the creaking floors all add to the sense of dread. Also, the characters' helplessness. If the characters in a messed up scary story are unable to fight back against the horror, it makes the situation seem more hopeless and thus more terrifying. For instance, if a person is trapped in a haunted place with no way to escape and something evil is slowly approaching, it amps up the fear factor.
The sense of the unknown also plays a key role. When there are things in the story that can't be easily explained, it creates a feeling of unease. Take a haunted house story where strange noises are heard but no one knows what's causing them. It makes people imagine all kinds of terrifying possibilities. Another element is the violation of the normal or the natural. If a story has things like people coming back from the dead in an unnatural way or objects having a life of their own, it goes against what we consider normal and thus is very scary. In a messed up scary story about a possessed object, the object might start to move on its own, which is completely against our understanding of how inanimate objects should behave.
The unexpectedness is a big factor. For example, in many messed up scary stories, things happen suddenly, like a monster popping out when you least expect it. It startles the reader or listener.
The most terrifying element is often the unknown. In messed up horror stories, it could be a strange noise in the dark that you can't identify. You don't know if it's a harmless animal or something much more sinister.
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.
One factor is the element of surprise. In these stories, bigfoot usually appears suddenly, catching people off - guard. The descriptions of its appearance, with long hair and a large, ape - like build, are intimidating. Moreover, the idea that there could be a large, unknown creature lurking in the woods where people often go for recreation or work makes these stories truly terrifying. For example, a hiker may feel safe in the forest until they have a bigfoot encounter, which shatters their sense of security.
The atmosphere plays a huge role. A story set in a desolate, fog - covered graveyard at midnight is already spooky. Also, the use of our primal fears, such as the fear of the dark or the fear of being hunted. In a story where a person is being chased by an unseen predator through a pitch - black forest, it taps into those basic fears that we've had since ancient times.
I think the absurdity of the situations in messed up funny stories makes them entertaining. For example, the friend getting caught on a bolt while trying a skateboard trick. It's not something that happens every day. Also, when people react in a clumsy or unexpected way to a situation, it creates humor. The zookeeper slipping while chasing the goat was part of what made that story so funny. These elements combined make us laugh because they are so different from our normal, expected experiences.
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.
Scary messed up stories are interesting because they often contain elements that are outside of our normal experiences. They can include supernatural events, abnormal behaviors, or extreme situations. For instance, a story about a person who wakes up in a different body or a town where everyone has a dark secret. These stories make us question what is possible and what is not, and that's what draws us in. They also allow us to experience fear in a safe environment, from the comfort of our own homes or while sitting around a campfire with friends.