Often, there is a sense of the unknown and the inhumane about the fairy man. His motives are unclear and his actions seem to defy human understanding. He might be interested in collecting human souls or causing chaos just for the sake of it. And in some stories, the fairy man is associated with certain symbols or objects like a cursed amulet or a black flower which also contribute to the horror elements.
One common element is the old man's mysterious past. Usually, there are secrets or dark deeds in his history. For example, he might have been a serial killer or involved in some sort of occult practice. Another element is the spooky setting. Old, dilapidated houses or isolated areas like the woods or graveyards are often associated with the old man in horror stories. Also, the old man often has an eerie appearance, like sunken eyes, wrinkled skin, and a menacing grin.
Strange creatures or entities are also a common element. Sometimes it's an unknown animal that attacks the garbage man, like a mutated raccoon or a dog with a strange appearance. Other times, it could be something more supernatural like a ghost or a demon. And the time of day also matters. Many of these stories take place at night, when the darkness adds to the sense of fear and mystery. The dim streetlights and the silence of the night create a perfect backdrop for these horror encounters.
In fairy stories, common themes include magic, good versus evil, and the power of love. For example, in 'Cinderella', magic helps her go to the ball. In horror stories, themes like fear of the unknown, death, and the supernatural are common. Such as in 'Dracula', the fear of the vampire, an undead supernatural being, drives the story.
Well, a frequent theme is the presence of dark magic. In stories like 'The Juniper Tree', dark magic is used to bring about tragic events. Deception is also common. In 'Little Red Riding Hood', the wolf deceives the girl. Also, death and violence are prevalent themes. Many horror fairy tales involve characters being killed or threatened with death, like in 'The Girl without Hands' where the girl endures great suffering.
Power and its abuse can be a theme too. Men may use their power, whether it's physical strength or social standing, in a negative way that causes horror. For instance, in stories where a man in a position of authority uses it to torment or harm others, creating a sense of dread and horror for the reader.
One common element is a spooky location like an abandoned place or a cemetery. These places add to the overall sense of dread.
One common element is the sense of isolation. The person downstairs often feels alone in their fear. Another is the strange behavior of the man upstairs, like odd hours of activity. And there's usually some kind of auditory cue, such as unexplained noises.
Isolation. Often, in IT horror stories, the characters are isolated. For example, a lone system administrator might be the only one in the server room when something strange starts to happen with the servers. Another common element is the loss of control. The technology that is supposed to be under human control suddenly starts acting on its own, like a self - driving car going berserk in an IT - related horror scenario.
Horror stories often feature a protagonist who is in over their head. They might start out as an ordinary person, like in 'Rosemary's Baby' where Rosemary is just a normal woman, but then they are thrust into a terrifying situation. Settings also play a big role. Abandoned asylums, cemeteries, and old mansions are common settings in horror stories as they have an air of mystery and danger already associated with them.
Fear of death is a big element in horror stories. The threat of death, whether it's from a serial killer or a supernatural force, is always present. Also, there's often a sense of helplessness. The characters find themselves in situations where they seem to have little control over what's happening to them. For instance, in 'The Blair Witch Project', the characters are lost in the woods and being hunted by an unknown entity. There's also the use of suspense. Writers build up the tension by delaying the reveal of the horror, making the readers or viewers more and more anxious as the story progresses.