Phone rings; no one.
Darkness hides a threat. In the pitch - black darkness, there could be anything lurking. You can't see it, but you can feel its presence, like a menacing shadow just out of sight. It makes every hair on your body stand on end.
Here are some: 'Alone in the dark.' It creates an immediate sense of isolation and the unknown that lurks in the darkness.
Here are some: 'Alone in the dark.' It gives a sense of isolation and the unknown in the darkness which is quite terrifying. Another one could be 'Footsteps, no one there.' Just the idea of hearing footsteps but seeing no one is really spooky. And 'Lost in the forest' also works. Being lost in a vast and often unpredictable forest is a nightmare scenario.
One day, I walked into an old, abandoned house. The floorboards creaked ominously. As I entered a dimly lit room, I saw a shadow figure in the corner. It had no face, just a black void. I froze in fear. Suddenly, the room turned ice - cold. I tried to run, but my legs wouldn't move. The figure started to glide towards me, making a strange, rasping sound. I closed my eyes, praying it would go away. When I opened them again, it was inches from my face. I could feel its cold breath on my skin. Then, everything went black.
Midnight knock. Opened. No one outside.
Lights out, something's there. In the dark, our senses are heightened, and this 5 - word horror story takes advantage of that. When the lights go out, we're plunged into darkness and immediately start to fear what might be lurking in the shadows. It's a common fear that many people have, and this simple phrase encapsulates that feeling of dread.
One more is 'Footsteps, not mine.' It gives the chills as it implies that there is someone or something else around. Also, 'Darkness, never end.' The idea of an unending darkness is very horror - inducing as it represents the unknown and the absence of light and safety.
One: In the mirror, a face not mine. I blink. It doesn't. I run. It follows.