Perhaps it's the way the raspberries are connected to the overall atmosphere of the story. If the story is set in a dark, foreboding place and the raspberries are the only splash of color, it creates an eerie contrast. And if something bad always follows the discovery of the raspberries, like a series of misfortunes or the appearance of a terrifying entity, that would make it very scary.
The unknown factor could make it scary. If the raspberries are presented in a way that their origin or nature is a mystery, it can be really frightening. For example, if they seem to appear out of nowhere in a desolate place.
In the 'raspberry story' of 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark', it could be that the raspberries are a lure into the supernatural. They might be used by some dark force to draw in the unsuspecting. Imagine a character being attracted to a beautiful raspberry bush, only to find that once they touch the raspberries, they are plunged into a nightmare world. The raspberries could be a gateway to a realm of ghosts and ghouls, and that's what makes it so scary. Also, if there are strange sounds or feelings associated with the raspberries, like a whispering that seems to come from the raspberry bush itself, it would add to the scariness.
Maybe it's the unknown aspect of Harold's situation. If we don't know much about what's going on with him, it creates a sense of mystery and fear.
The unexpected twists. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, something completely different and terrifying occurs. For example, a seemingly friendly character could turn out to be something evil. Also, the use of common fears like the dark or being alone in a strange place really amps up the scariness.
The fear of the unknown in dreams. We don't really have full control in our dreams, and in this story, that lack of control can be terrifying. For example, not being able to run away from a threat in a dream.
The fear of the unknown in dreams makes it scary. We don't fully understand our dreams, and in this story, that lack of understanding is exploited.
In the Scarecrow Story in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, there are multiple elements that make it scary. The fact that scarecrows are human - like in shape but not human at all is a big factor. It makes us uneasy because it's a distortion of the human form. Also, the way the story builds up the mystery around the scarecrow, not revealing its true nature right away. We start to wonder what it is capable of, and our minds start to imagine all sorts of terrifying things, which is what makes it so effective at scaring us.
Well, it's scary because it takes something ordinary like a pimple and twists it into something truly horrifying. Our bodies are supposed to be familiar to us, but when a simple blemish becomes a source of evil or the unknown, it shakes our sense of safety. Also, the idea of something growing or changing on our skin in a way that we can't control is deeply unsettling.
One factor is the setting. If it's in a dark and isolated place, it immediately sets a spooky mood. For example, if Ramon is in a forest at night, the darkness and the sounds of the forest can be quite menacing.
The unknown nature of the cat makes it scary. We don't know what it's really up to.
The herald story often sets up a situation where the character is in danger but doesn't fully realize it yet. For example, a character might be exploring an old cellar not knowing that there is something lurking in the shadows. This sense of impending doom, combined with the dark and mysterious elements, makes the herald story in 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' so terrifying.
Well, for one thing, the coin in the 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' coin story is often associated with the unknown and the supernatural. It has the power to change the lives of those who come into contact with it in the most terrifying ways. It can bring about a change in the environment around the person, making it feel cold and hostile. There are also the unexplained events that start to occur, like things disappearing and then reappearing in strange places. The coin seems to have a mind of its own and is bent on causing fear and chaos, which is what makes it so scary.