There was a knock on the door. I opened it, but no one was there. Then I felt a cold hand on my shoulder.
In the cemetery at midnight, a voice called my name. I turned, and a pair of glowing eyes stared from the darkness.
In the old cemetery, a voice said, 'Leave now.' But there was no one there. Just the ghosts.
The last person on earth sat alone in a room. Then there was a knock at the door.
Sure. Here is one: I woke up to a hand on my face. When I turned on the light, there was no one there.
Walking in the forest, I heard a whisper calling my name. No one was there.
There was a knock on the door at midnight. When I opened it, a cold wind blew and a voice said, 'Let me in.' I knew it was a ghost. This story gives me chills every time I think about it. It makes you wonder what would have happened if I had let the 'thing' in. And it plays on the fear of the unknown, the idea that there could be something lurking outside, waiting for an invitation to cross the threshold into our safe space. It's simple yet very effective in creating a sense of horror.
I was alone in the attic. A single tear fell on my hand, but there was no one above me. It was as if a lost spirit was weeping nearby.
The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock at the door.
Sure. Here's one: I used to be a baker, but I couldn't make enough dough.
One liner scary stories are effective because they create a sense of mystery and unease quickly. They leave a lot to the imagination, which can be scarier than a detailed horror story. For example, 'I saw a face in the window, but I live on the top floor.' makes you wonder how that face got there and what it wants.
The brevity. It hits you fast and leaves your mind to fill in the blanks which often makes it scarier. For example, 'The last person on earth sat alone in a room. Then there was a knock on the door.' It makes you wonder who or what could be knocking when there's no one else supposed to be there.