Start by introducing a mysterious object. For instance, a young girl discovers an old, ornate box in her attic. It has strange symbols carved on it and gives off an icy cold feeling when she touches it. She can't resist the urge to open it, and as she does, a gust of cold wind blows through the attic, even though all the windows are closed. This object can then be the centerpiece around which the horror of the story unfolds.
A good idea to start a horror story could be with an unexplained noise in the middle of the night. For example, the main character wakes up to a strange scratching sound coming from the attic. They're all alone in the house, and the sound is rhythmic and menacing. This immediately creates a sense of unease and mystery, drawing the reader in as they wonder what could be making that noise.
A great start could be a character moving into a new apartment. On the first night, they see a face in the window of the apartment across the street. But when they look again, it's gone. Later, they find out that the apartment has a dark history of disappearances. This discovery, along with the initial sighting, can be the start of a terrifying horror story.
Set the story in an abandoned asylum. Start by detailing the long, echoing hallways with peeling wallpaper and rusted gurneys scattered about. The fluorescent lights above flicker erratically, casting strange shadows on the walls. The main character is exploring this place, perhaps as part of a dare or because they are a journalist looking for a story. But as they venture deeper into the asylum, they start to feel as if they are being watched, and they hear the faint sound of screams that seem to be coming from the very walls around them.
Begin with a strange discovery. Say, a young girl is exploring an abandoned attic. Among the dusty boxes and cobwebs, she finds a locked diary. The moment she touches it, she feels a strange coldness seep into her fingers. As she tries to open it, she hears a faint whisper in her ear, as if someone is warning her not to. This discovery can set the stage for a horror story filled with mystery and the unknown.
A sudden power outage in a big, isolated building. Everyone inside is plunged into darkness. There are strange scratching noises on the walls, and people start to disappear one by one. The remaining characters huddle together, but they don't know what's out there in the dark waiting for them.
Begin with a unique character. A young girl who can communicate with animals but is shunned by her village because of it. One day, a talking fox comes to her and tells her that she is the key to saving their enchanted forest from a dark force. This character's situation immediately draws the reader into the story and its fantasy elements.
You could start with a strange dream. For example, the main character wakes up in a world where the sky is purple and the grass is made of crystals. This immediately creates a sense of mystery and a different world for the reader to be curious about.
The main character finally finds the source of the evil, which is an ancient cursed object. As they try to destroy it, they realize too late that the curse spreads through touch. They are consumed by the darkness, and their screams are the last sound in the now desolate place.
One idea is to start with an ordinary setting like a small, idyllic town. But then introduce a strange occurrence, such as all the animals in the town suddenly going silent. Another idea could be a character who inherits an old, creepy mansion and starts experiencing unexplained noises and apparitions at night. You can also write about a group of friends who go camping in the woods and encounter a menacing force that seems to be stalking them.
A house that seems normal during the day but at night, the walls start to bleed. The blood drips down and forms strange symbols on the floor. These symbols are a warning from the spirits trapped in the house. The people living there start to experience sleep paralysis and see terrifying apparitions that get closer each night.