The element of surprise also makes them scary. A sudden turn of events, like in a story where a character seems safe and then all of a sudden something truly horrifying happens. And the use of vivid descriptions, whether it's of a creepy creature or a terrifying situation, makes it feel real and thus scarier.
Well, often it's the unknown. For example, in many of these stories, there are elements like the supernatural that we can't fully understand. It scares us because it's outside of our normal experience.
The psychological aspect plays a big role. Stories might explore the dark corners of the human mind, like in 'The Cask of Amontillado' where the narrator's revenge is so cold - blooded and his mind is so twisted. It makes you wonder what people are truly capable of. Also, the settings can be very eerie. Old, dark houses or desolate landscapes add to the sense of dread.
The element of the unknown. For example, in many of the stories, there are unexplained noises or figures. We don't know what they are or what they want, and that scares us.
The use of atmosphere. For example, in many stories, it's often a dark and isolated setting like an old abandoned house or a desolate forest. This immediately makes the reader feel uneasy.
One thing that makes them scary is the sense of helplessness. In 'The Monkey's Paw', the characters can't control the outcomes of their wishes. The setting also plays a role. In 'The Masque of the Red Death', the enclosed abbey that is supposed to be a safe haven but is invaded by death creates a claustrophobic and terrifying feeling. Also, the moral ambiguity in some stories, like 'The Black Cat', where the protagonist's actions are both self - destructive and immoral, adds to the scariness.
Well, short short scary stories are great because they are easy to remember and share. You can quickly pass on the creepy feeling to others. Also, they often focus on a single, really scary element, like a ghostly apparition or a sudden, unexplained noise, which makes them very impactful in a short space.
The unknown. In these stories, there are often elements that are not fully explained. For example, in 'The Slenderman', his origin and true nature are left ambiguous. This makes our minds fill in the blanks with the most terrifying possibilities.
The element of the unknown. In these stories, often things are not fully explained. For example, a strange figure that appears in the corner of a room but you can't really see what it is. It leaves your imagination to fill in the blanks, and our minds can come up with some really terrifying things.
These stories are scary for multiple reasons. In 'The Monkey's Paw', the unknown consequences of our wishes create a sense of dread. We are always afraid of getting what we want in a way that is far from what we expected. In 'The Masque of the Red Death', it's the inescapability of death. No matter how much we try to avoid it, it will find us. Also, in stories like 'Carmilla', the fear of the unknown and the supernatural elements are what make them terrifying.
The unknown. Many of these stories rely on the fear of the unknown. Take 'The Call of Cthulhu' for instance. The idea of a great, ancient and indescribable evil lurking in the ocean depths is terrifying. We don't fully understand what Cthulhu is, and that makes it all the more frightening.
Scariest short ghost stories are scary because they tap into our primal fears. We are afraid of death and the afterlife, and ghosts represent the unknown side of that. Also, the settings in these stories, like dark and lonely places such as old houses, cemeteries, or deserted roads, add to the fear factor. The brevity of the stories also leaves a lot to the imagination, which can be scarier than detailed descriptions.
The unknown. In scariest short horror stories, often what is not shown or fully explained is what scares us the most. For example, in 'The Monkey's Paw', we don't really know how the paw works its magic, but the consequences are terrifying.