Many of these stories have some elements of truth or at least eyewitness accounts. When we hear that real people have experienced these terrifying things, it makes it more believable and thus more frightening. For example, the Amityville case had a family who really seemed to be going through something horrible, and that makes the idea of a demonic presence all the more terrifying.
The unknown factor. Since demons are often associated with the supernatural, we don't fully understand them. We can't predict what they might do or why they are doing it, which scares us.
The sense of helplessness. In many of these true stories, the people involved are powerless against whatever is scaring them. Like in the story of the cursed object, the person couldn't stop the bad things from happening no matter what they did. This lack of control is really frightening. And also, the fact that these are true stories gives them an extra edge of fear. It makes you think that such things could actually happen to you.
The unknown elements in them. When we don't know what's causing the strange happenings, it scares us. For example, in a story where there are unexplained noises, our minds start to imagine all sorts of terrifying things.
The fact that they are true. Knowing that these events actually happened makes it scarier. For example, if a story is about a real - life encounter with a malevolent spirit, it's not just a made - up horror for entertainment.
The unknown factor. Many of the stories involve things that can't be easily explained. Like in the story of the haunted mirror, people saw different images in it that had no logical explanation. It's this mystery that sends shivers down our spines.
The unknown. In a scary demon story, we don't really know what the demon is capable of. It could have any power, like the ability to possess people or cause instant death. Just the thought of an otherworldly and malevolent being lurking in the shadows is scary.
Often, true scary stories involve real people in normal situations suddenly being thrust into terrifying circumstances. In the Amityville Horror, a family was just looking for a new home but ended up in a place full of unexplained phenomena. The fear of the unknown and the violation of the safety of what should be a secure home space is what makes it so frightening. Also, the psychological impact on the people involved, like their fear and confusion, adds to the scariness when we hear about it.
Scary true ghost stories are frightening because they often involve the unknown. We don't fully understand the afterlife or the existence of spirits. When we hear about things like objects moving on their own, voices being heard, or apparitions being seen in a place where there should be no such phenomena, it scares us. It challenges our understanding of the world around us. Also, these stories sometimes involve elements of danger, like in the Bell Witch story where the entity was harming people in the family.
The unknown aspect makes true scary campfire stories so frightening. When you're in a camping setting, you're already in an environment that's a bit wild and less controlled. In these stories, there are often things like strange noises, unexplained movements, or unseen presences. It plays on our natural fear of the unknown. For example, in the story of the hiker in the abandoned cabin, not knowing what was outside with the glowing eyes creates a sense of dread.
The fact that they are true stories. Knowing that these horrible things actually happened in real life makes it much scarier than fictional horror. It makes you wonder if something similar could happen to you or someone you know.
Scary true haunted stories often tap into our primal fears. They might involve death, the afterlife, or the idea that there are things out there that we can't see or comprehend. When we hear about a place where people have died and then strange things start to happen, it makes us think about our own mortality and the possibility that there could be something waiting for us on the other side. Also, the historical context of some of these stories, like the tragedies that occurred in a haunted location, adds to the overall sense of dread.