In the 11 best scary ghost stories, the element of a tragic past often plays a crucial role. It could be a murder, a suicide, or some other form of untimely death. This past event is what seems to keep the ghosts around. Also, strange apparitions are frequently seen. These could be shadowy figures, pale faces, or even full - body apparitions that seem to move in an unnatural way. The sense of the unknown and the feeling that something is not right are what really make these elements scary.
There's also 'The Bell Witch'. This story is based on a real - life haunting in Tennessee. The Bell Witch tormented the Bell family, making strange noises, moving objects, and even attacking family members. It's a long - standing and well - known ghost story that has been passed down through generations, and the details of the hauntings are very creepy.
The unknown is a big factor. In the best creepy ghost stories, we don't fully understand the nature of the ghost. Is it a lost soul? A demon? This lack of knowledge creates fear. For example, in 'The Turn of the Screw', the governess isn't sure if the ghosts she sees are real or just in her head.
You can find great scary ghost stories in old folklore books. Libraries usually have a good collection of such books with stories from different cultures and regions.
The unknown is a big factor. In true ghost stories, we don't really know what the entity is or what it wants. For example, in the story of the Enfield Poltergeist, the strange noises, moving furniture, and the children's claims of being attacked by an unseen force were terrifying because no one could fully explain it. It creates a sense of unease and fear of the unknown.
One of the scariest ghost stories is 'The Bell Witch'. It's about a malevolent spirit that haunted the Bell family in Tennessee. There were strange noises, physical attacks on family members, and the entity would even speak to them. Another is 'The Conjuring' case. The real - life story of the Perron family's encounters with a dark presence in their farmhouse is truly terrifying. Items moving on their own, apparitions, and a sense of overwhelming dread.
Another great one is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. The story follows a group of people who stay in a supposedly haunted house. The way Jackson describes the strange occurrences and the psychological effects on the characters is truly terrifying. It plays with your mind and makes you question what's real and what's not.
A campfire - worthy ghost story is 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'. Ichabod Crane's encounter with the Headless Horseman in the spooky woods near Sleepy Hollow is a classic. The description of the Horseman and the dark, silent woods creates a perfect spooky mood for a campfire setting.
Well, simple settings are often in these stories. An old house or a spooky hallway can set the mood without being too terrifying. Then there's the idea of mystery that gets quickly resolved. For instance, the shadow in the hotel hallway that turned out to be a normal person. And sometimes, the use of the unknown that is then made known. Like a strange sound that has a very ordinary explanation.
Well, often there's a sense of melancholy. The ghosts in these short stories usually have a sad backstory. They might be lost souls. For instance, a ghost that used to live in a place and now is attached to it because they died suddenly or unfairly. And the resolution is usually positive in a way. Instead of the ghost causing chaos, it might be befriended or helped in some way by the living character. There's also the use of soft, spooky elements like a cold breeze or a flickering light that sets the mood without being too terrifying.
One common element is the feeling of sudden coldness. Ghosts are often associated with a drop in temperature. Another is strange noises like moans or whispers. For example, in many stories, people hear unexplained sounds in an empty house.