Well, things like darkness play a big role. In most mildly scary stories, it's always at night or in a very dimly lit place. Also, there are often objects that seem normal but have something odd about them. Take an old mirror that shows a different reflection than it should. And the feeling of helplessness, where the character can't easily get away from the scary situation.
One common element is the element of surprise. For instance, a character thinks they are safe and then suddenly something scary happens. There is also the use of the familiar made strange. Such as a normal neighborhood that at night becomes a place full of mystery and fear. And a slow build - up of tension, not an immediate scare but a gradual increase in the feeling of unease.
There was a story of a little girl who found a strange doll in the attic. The doll had a cracked face and seemed to watch her wherever she went. At night, she would hear soft crying coming from the direction of the doll. When she told her parents, they didn't believe her, but she knew something was very wrong with that doll.
A theme that is often seen is the journey of self - discovery through love. In mildly erotic romance stories, as the characters fall in love, they also discover more about themselves. This can be related to the erotic aspect as they become more in touch with their own desires. Also, the theme of secrecy is common. When the characters keep their relationship or their feelings a secret, it adds to the intensity and can create those mildly erotic moments as they steal glances or have secret rendezvous.
One common element is the unknown. When there are things that can't be easily explained, like strange noises in an empty house or a figure that disappears when you look closer, it creates fear.
One common element is the presence of the unknown. For example, in many scary stories, there is a mystery figure or thing that people don't understand, like the shadow in the haunted house story. Another element is the sense of isolation. When the characters are alone, like the hiker in the forest, it makes the situation scarier. Darkness is also a common element as it hides the threats and adds to the sense of fear.
One common element is the sense of isolation. In many 1999 scary stories, characters find themselves alone in a spooky place like an abandoned building or a dark forest. Another is the use of the unknown. For example, strange noises or shadowy figures that the characters can't explain. Also, a lot of these stories play on the fear of the past. Maybe it's an old object with a history, like a cursed doll, that brings the horror.
Supernatural creatures are a common element. Like the ones I mentioned before, such as the Rolling Calf, Soucouyant, and Duppy. These creatures often have specific characteristics and behaviors that make them both fascinating and terrifying.
One common element is the presence of supernatural beings like jinns or divs. These are often depicted as powerful and sometimes malevolent entities that can cause chaos and fear. For example, in many stories, they can change their forms to deceive humans.
The concept of fate and the supernatural's influence on it is another element. In many of these stories, misfortunes are not just random but are caused by the actions of these supernatural beings. For example, when the Egbere haunts the forest, it's not just a random event but part of the overall belief in a world where the supernatural controls certain aspects of human fate.
One common element is the idea of the corpse being restless. It's often depicted as not being at peace in death, so it haunts places or people. For example, a corpse might be seeking revenge for an unfair death.
One common element is the presence of spirits. In many Apache scary stories, the spirits of ancestors or those who died in battle play a significant role. They can either protect or haunt the living depending on how the living behave. Another element is the use of nature as a backdrop for the scares. For example, a desolate canyon or a dark forest can be the setting where the spooky events occur. Also, the idea of curses is common. A person or a place can be cursed by an evil shaman or witch, leading to all kinds of terrifying consequences.