Isolation. When the characters in the story are alone, like the journalist in the abandoned asylum. There's no one to turn to for help. It makes the danger seem more immediate and inescapable. The feeling of being trapped in a spooky place heightens the terror.
The use of the senses. In a good full scary story, details like the cold air in a haunted place, the smell of decay in an old cellar, or the touch of something slimy in a dark forest all add to the horror. It makes the reader or listener feel like they are actually in that terrifying situation.
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.
One element is the unknown. In full scary ghost stories, the ghosts are often mysterious. We don't know their motives or how they can appear and disappear suddenly. For example, in a story where a ghost haunts an old house, we don't know why it's there or what it wants from the living. Another element is the atmosphere. Dark, cold, and silent settings like an abandoned asylum or a fog - covered forest add to the fear. The fear of the unexpected also plays a role. A sudden noise or a touch when you think you're alone can be really terrifying in these stories.
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 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 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 sense of isolation also makes them terrifying. When characters in horror stories are alone, whether in an old house or a desolate forest, it heightens the fear. They have no one to turn to for help. For example, in stories where someone is trapped in an abandoned building, the feeling of being cut off from the outside world is really scary. Another element is the build - up of suspense. Slow, creeping dread, like a door creaking open slowly or a strange light growing brighter bit by bit, keeps the reader or listener on edge. Horror stories often use this to draw you in and make you feel more and more terrified as the story progresses.
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.
The unknown. In true scary short stories, often things are not fully explained. For example, in the story of the couple in the old house, we don't know what was in the attic with the glowing eyes. It leaves our imagination to run wild and that's scary.