In scary stories, settings play a crucial role in creating fear. Take an old, dilapidated mansion for instance. The broken windows, the creaking stairs, and the musty smell all suggest that something is not right. It gives the impression that there are secrets hidden within its walls. A desolate moor is another such setting. The vast expanse of empty land, with the howling wind and the possibility of getting lost, makes it a very menacing place. And in a haunted ship at sea, the rocking of the vessel, the sound of the waves hitting the hull, and the idea of being alone in the middle of the ocean with something supernatural are all terrifying.
Settings like graveyards in scary stories are full of symbols of death. The tombstones, the stillness, and the idea of the dead underground create an immediate sense of unease. Abandoned asylums also add to the fear. The thought of the tortured souls that might have been there, along with the cold, sterile environment that has now been left to rot, makes it a very scary place. Dark alleys at night give the feeling of being trapped, with potential threats from all sides.