The story of the phantom hitchhiker is quite terrifying. A driver picks up a hitchhiker on a lonely road, only to find that the hitchhiker disappears mysteriously when they reach a certain point. It gives a feeling of unease and the unknown.
One interesting story could be about the haunted mansion. Supposedly, people have seen apparitions of former owners roaming the halls at night. It gives a spooky feeling as if the past is still lingering in that place.
It's a mixed bag. There are stories that are likely inspired by real - life encounters. For instance, stories about haunted houses where families have reported strange noises and apparitions. These could be real experiences that were then shared with Ripley's. But at the same time, Ripley's is also about the extraordinary and the unbelievable, so some stories may be more of a creative blend of local legends and spooky ideas to make for a good read or a thrilling tale, rather than strictly factual accounts.
There might be a story of a ghostly apparition seen in an old cemetery. A person was passing by late at night and saw a figure in white floating among the tombstones. It was so unexpected that it sent chills down their spine. This kind of story makes one wonder about the existence of the afterlife.
There are stories about people with extraordinary physical abilities, like the man who could bend his body in impossible ways. It's truly mind - boggling.
One of the terrifying true ghost stories is the story of the Amityville Horror. A family moved into a house where a mass murder had occurred. They experienced all sorts of strange phenomena like cold spots, strange noises, and apparitions. Another is the story from the Tower of London. There are reports of ghosts of former prisoners and executed royals wandering the halls.
I'm not entirely sure which specific 'ripley believe it or not true war stories' you're referring to. Ripley's is known for collecting all kinds of strange and amazing stories. In war, there are so many unbelievable things that could be included. Maybe it has stories of soldiers doing heroic and unexpected deeds, or strange events that happened during battles.
The story of the Donner Party is also extremely terrifying. A group of settlers got stranded in the mountains during winter. Due to lack of food, they resorted to cannibalism to survive. It shows the extreme desperation and horror that humans can face in dire situations.
A particularly scary one is about a family who moved into a house where a murder had taken place. They experienced all sorts of paranormal activities. Doors would slam shut on their own, and they would see blood - like stains on the walls that would disappear and reappear. It was one of the most feared stories in 'haunted lives true ghost stories' as it involved a family's daily life being invaded by the unknown.
One terrifying story could be about a ghost ship off the New Zealand coast. Sailors have reported seeing a phantom vessel with no crew but strange lights and sounds coming from it.
The story 'The Juniper Tree' can also be very frightening. The stepmother's cruel act of killing the boy and the way the story unfolds with the supernatural elements is quite disturbing. The transformation of the boy into a bird and his revenge is a rather dark and spooky part of the tale.