They can also affect people's dreams. After hearing a really scary story, one might have nightmares related to the story's elements, like seeing the monsters or facing the spooky situations from the story while asleep.
Scary stories can make people feel fear immediately. Just the thought of the events in the story can send shivers down their spines.
They can make people feel empathetic. When we hear a really sad story, we often put ourselves in the shoes of the characters, which can make us more understanding of others' pain.
One really scary story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who kills an old man because he can't stand the old man's vulture - like eye. After hiding the body under the floorboards, he starts to hear the heartbeat of the dead man, which drives him to insanity. It's scary because it shows how guilt can haunt a person.
It depends on your tolerance for fear. Some people find them extremely scary, while others might not be as affected.
One really scary story is about a haunted house. People who entered it at night would hear strange whispers and see shadowy figures. Lights would flicker on and off by themselves. There was an old legend that a family was brutally murdered in that house long ago, and their spirits were trapped there, seeking revenge on anyone who dared to enter.
One really scary story is about a haunted house. There was an old, dilapidated mansion on the outskirts of town. People who passed by at night often heard strange wailing sounds coming from it. A group of curious teenagers decided to explore it one night. As they entered, the doors slammed shut behind them. They saw shadowy figures moving in the halls. One of the teens was suddenly pulled into a dark room and disappeared. The others ran for their lives, but they could still hear their friend's screams as they escaped.
One really scary short story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a narrator who is driven mad by an old man's vulture - like eye and eventually murders him. The narrator's increasing paranoia as he hears the heartbeat, which may be his own guilt - ridden conscience, is truly terrifying.
One really scary ghost story is about the haunted mansion on the hill. People say that at midnight, you can see a lady in white walking through the halls. She was a bride who died on her wedding day many years ago. Her spirit is still searching for her lost groom. Whenever someone tries to stay overnight in the mansion, they hear her sobbing and the sound of her footsteps echoing in the empty corridors.
The unknown factor makes really really scary stories terrifying. When we don't know what's going to happen next or what the source of the horror is, our imagination runs wild. For example, in a story about a strange noise in an attic, not seeing the cause of the noise creates a sense of unease.
The use of atmosphere. A really scary story will set a dark and foreboding atmosphere. Descriptions of dark, lonely places, like an old cemetery at midnight. The cold wind, the howling of animals in the distance. All these details work together to create a sense of dread. Also, the characters in these stories are often ordinary people, which makes it easier for us to put ourselves in their shoes and feel the fear they experience.
Some of them are really scary. The way they are written, with detailed descriptions and a build - up of suspense, can send shivers down your spine. For instance, a story about a ghostly apparition in an old hospital. The description of the cold, damp corridors and the faint sound of a gurney moving on its own is quite terrifying.