For me, 'The Mist' has a disturbing ending. The decision that the main character makes at the end, in the face of such hopelessness, is both tragic and disturbing. It's a very dark and unexpected way to end the story.
Well, 'I Know What You Need' can be considered very scary. The idea that someone can know your every need and manipulate situations to their advantage in a rather creepy way is the essence of the horror in this story. It's a psychological horror that gets into your head.
In my opinion, 'I Know What You Need' is a very scary short story. The idea that someone can know your every need and manipulate you is quite terrifying. 'Strawberry Spring' is also a great example. The serial killer on the loose during the Strawberry Spring season gives a sense of dread. Also, 'The Man in the Black Suit' has a truly menacing feel, with the devil - like figure in the story.
I think 'Survivor Type' is extremely scary. It's about a man stranded on an island and the lengths he goes to in order to survive, including some truly gruesome acts. It makes you question how far a person can go when pushed to the brink, and the vivid descriptions add to the horror.
Definitely 'The Dark Half'. The idea of a writer's darker alter - ego coming to life and causing havoc is really unsettling. Thad Beaumont has to deal with George Stark, his 'dark half', who is a violent and cruel entity. The murders and the psychological battle within Thad make it a disturbing novel.
One of the most disturbing is 'Pet Sematary'. The idea of a burial ground that brings the dead back wrong is truly creepy. It plays on our fears of death and the unknown. Another is 'The Shining'. The isolation of the Overlook Hotel and the slow descent into madness of Jack Torrance are deeply unsettling.
One of the most disturbing Stephen King novels is 'Pet Sematary'. The idea of a burial ground that brings the dead back in a twisted way is truly creepy. The consequences that unfold as characters use it are filled with horror and despair.
For me, 'Gramma' is up there as one of the scariest. It's about a young boy left alone with his dying and possibly possessed grandmother. The atmosphere of the old, creaky house and the strange things that start to happen create a sense of dread. And the ending is really spooky, leaving you with a feeling of unease long after you've finished reading.
One common theme is horror and the supernatural. For example, in 'The Mist', the appearance of the strange creatures from the mist is a supernatural element that creates horror. Another theme is the darkness within human nature. In 'Apt Pupil', we see the disturbing side of a young boy who becomes obsessed with a Nazi's past.
I think 'Survivor Type' is also very interesting. It's a rather dark and gory story about a man stranded on an island and what he has to do to survive. It really shows King's ability to explore the darker side of human nature.
One of his scariest short stories could be 'The Mist'. The sense of isolation and the unknown horrors lurking in the mist create a terrifying atmosphere. The characters are trapped in a supermarket, surrounded by the mist that holds all kinds of deadly creatures. The psychological tension as they try to figure out what to do and face their possible doom is truly spine - chilling.