The element of the unknown makes them interesting. We don't know what's going to happen next in these stories, whether it's a sudden appearance of a ghost or a strange event. It keeps our adrenaline pumping.
The use of atmosphere also contributes. In many of the amazing top 10 scary stories, the setting is often a dark, desolate place. For instance, an abandoned asylum. The long, empty corridors, the broken windows, and the feeling that something is lurking in the shadows all add to the scariness. Also, the anticipation of something bad about to happen keeps readers or listeners on edge.
One element is the unknown. In many of these stories, like in 'The Monkey's Paw', we don't know exactly how the cursed paw will bring about misfortune. It's this sense of not knowing what will happen next that scares us. Another is the use of psychological horror. For example, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the woman's slow descent into madness due to her confinement is terrifying because it plays on our fears of losing our minds.
The element of surprise plays a big role. In a lot of the top 100 most scary stories, there are sudden twists. Like in a story where a character thinks they are safe, but then something unexpected and terrifying happens. Also, the fear of death and the supernatural is often a key factor. Whether it's vampires that represent a perversion of life or ghosts that seem to be from beyond the grave, they all tap into our primal fears.
One could be about a haunted house where during a sleepover, strange noises came from the attic and shadowy figures were seen on the walls. Another might be the story of a doll that seemed to move on its own during a sleepover. And there could be a story of a sleepover in the woods where a mysterious howling was heard all night long.
The most amazing short stories often have unique plots. They can surprise the reader in just a few pages. For example, in 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, the ending twist completely changes how you view the whole story.
The story of the werewolf in the woods is really interesting. A man was camping and on a full - moon night, he heard howling. Then he saw a large figure with glowing eyes. It was a werewolf. Another is the haunted lighthouse. Keepers there reported seeing a ghostly woman who would make the lights flicker. One more is the story of the phantom train that would pass through a tunnel that was no longer in use.
Well, there might be a story where the lights start flickering on and off while someone is home alone. They try to call for help but the phone lines seem to be dead. And then they feel a cold breeze in a room where all the windows are closed. It's really terrifying. They might also hear whispers that seem to be coming from nowhere.
Well, some might be about haunted houses. For example, there could be a story where a family moves into an old mansion and strange things start to happen like doors slamming on their own at night. Another could be about a creepy forest where people who enter never come out the same. And there might also be stories about cursed objects that bring misfortune to whoever possesses them.
The mystery in scary stories is what makes them interesting. We don't know what will happen next, and that keeps us on the edge of our seats.
The unknown. In most scary stories, there are elements that are not fully explained. For example, in a haunted house story, you don't really know what the ghost is or why it's there. It's this lack of understanding that scares us.