You could start with 'Cursed', 'Malevolent', or 'Dread'. 'Cursed' immediately implies that there is something wrong, something that has been doomed. 'Malevolent' sets the tone for an evil presence. 'Dread' is a feeling that can draw the reader in, making them wonder what is causing this sense of impending doom from the very start of the story.
Start with a sudden, unexpected event. Like a car crash in the middle of a desolate road at midnight. The protagonist is dazed and confused, and then they start to notice strange things around them. It gets the reader's heart racing immediately.
One way could be to describe an eerie setting. For example, 'The old, dilapidated house stood at the end of the overgrown lane, its broken windows like empty eye sockets staring into the darkness.'
Another way is to start with a setting that is inherently spooky. For example, an old, abandoned asylum with peeling paint and broken windows. As the reader imagines this desolate place, it creates a perfect backdrop for the horror to unfold. You can then introduce the main character arriving at this place, perhaps on a dare or because they have no other choice, and the reader is already primed for something terrifying to happen.
Some good words are 'gloom', 'eerie' and 'creak'. 'Gloom' can set a dark and depressing atmosphere. 'Eerie' gives a sense of the uncanny and strange, making the reader feel uneasy. And 'creak', like the sound of an old door in a haunted house, adds a touch of fear as it implies something is about to happen.
Words like 'gloom', 'creak', 'eerie', and 'dread' are great for horror stories. 'Gloom' sets a dark and depressing mood. 'Creak' can be used for things like old doors or stairs, adding an element of the unknown. 'Eerie' gives a sense of something not quite right, making the reader feel uneasy. And 'dread' conveys a strong feeling of fear and anticipation of something bad.
You could also begin a story by introducing a unique or strange object. For example, 'In the middle of the table, there was a small, glowing box. No one knew where it came from or what it was for.' This object becomes a focal point and the reader will be interested in finding out more about it and how it relates to the rest of the story.
Malevolent. This word describes something or someone full of ill will, which is a great element in horror. For example, a malevolent spirit can be a terrifying presence in a story. It implies that there is an entity with bad intentions lurking around, waiting to cause harm to the characters in the story.
Words like 'as', 'while', and 'during' can be great transition words for horror stories. 'As' can set the scene in a spooky way, such as 'As the moon rose, strange shadows began to move.' 'While' can create a sense of unease during an action. 'During' is useful for highlighting events within a terrifying situation, like 'During the storm, she heard a blood - curdling scream.'
In horror stories, words such as 'ominous', 'macabre', and 'grisly' are very useful. 'Ominous' implies that something bad is about to happen. 'Macabre' is related to death and the grotesque, which are common elements in horror. 'Grisly' is used to describe something extremely unpleasant and often related to violence or death, adding a sense of horror to the story.
You could start with an exciting action scene to hook the readers right away.