Well, in some Sasquatch stories, it's the suddenness of the encounter. For example, a person could be walking calmly along a forest trail, and then suddenly, out of nowhere, a Sasquatch appears right in front of them. It's a huge, imposing figure that defies explanation. The shock of seeing something that doesn't fit into our normal understanding of the natural world can be extremely scary. And the thought that there could be more of them out there, hidden in the vast forests, is a truly chilling thought.
One of the scariest elements in Sasquatch stories is the mystery surrounding it. Sasquatch is often described as a large, hairy, ape - like creature that moves silently in the forests. In many stories, hikers or campers report seeing a huge, shadowy figure lurking just outside their campsite at night. They can hear strange noises, like deep growls or unidentifiable howls, which sends shivers down their spines. The fact that it's rarely fully seen, just glimpses in the dark, adds to the fear factor.
The unknown. In real horror stories, when there are things that can't be easily explained, it scares people. For example, in the story of the Bell Witch, no one could really figure out what the spirit was or how to stop it. It was the mystery that added to the terror.
The unknown is a big factor. In many of these top horror stories, like in 'The Shining', the characters are in an unfamiliar and isolated place. The hotel is full of secrets and strange noises. Another element is the loss of control. For example, in 'A Nightmare on Elm Street', people can't control their dreams and are at the mercy of Freddy Krueger. And the idea of the supernatural, like demons in 'The Exorcist', which are forces that humans can't understand or easily defeat.
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.
The fact that it's based on truth. For example, in the story of the Amityville Horror. Knowing that a family actually experienced such strange and malevolent events in that house makes it scarier. The thought that it could happen to anyone in a real - life situation is terrifying.
The unknown is a big factor. In a forest, there could be all kinds of hidden things like unseen creatures or dangerous terrains. For example, in many stories, there are strange noises that the characters can't identify. It could be a wild animal or something more supernatural.