One common element is the idea of a malevolent entity. It could be a ghost, a demon, or a deranged human. These entities take pleasure in torturing their victims. Also, a sense of helplessness is prevalent. The victims usually have no way to escape or fight back against the torture they are experiencing. For example, in stories set in haunted asylums, the patients are at the mercy of the cruel spirits.
Fear of the unknown is a common element. In many horror torture stories, the source of the torture is something that can't be easily explained, like a supernatural force. Another element is isolation. Victims are often alone or cut off from help when the torture occurs.
Well, a typical element in horror torture stories is the build - up of tension. The story slowly reveals the details of the torture, making the reader or listener more and more on edge. And often there is some sort of dark history or backstory that led to the current situation of torture. Like an old house that was the site of a massacre in the past, and now the spirits of the victims are torturing those who enter.
Well, one might think of elements like domination and submission. But again, these are very extreme concepts and not really proper to dwell on in detail. In a more general sense, in any relationship with a power dynamic, communication and trust are important elements, but this is far from the 'torture' aspect which is inappropriate.
Many tickle torture stories in fanfiction also have a resolution where the 'victim' either gets revenge in a similar ticklish way or there is a mutual understanding that the tickling was all in good fun. There's also often a build - up to the tickling moment, with anticipation and some sort of chase or setup.
There are also some horror stories based on real - life serial killers who tortured their victims. For instance, Jeffrey Dahmer. He committed heinous acts of torture and murder. His actions were so disturbing that they have inspired horror stories, both in fictionalized accounts in books and movies and in the public's horrified remembrance of his real - life crimes.
A fantasy torture story may involve elaborate and cruel torture devices created by the fantasy world's rules. There could also be a power struggle where the torturer is trying to break the will of the tortured. But we should note that this is a very disturbing genre and not something that should be overly explored. Instead, we can turn to positive fantasy elements like magic spells for good and the journey of self - discovery for the characters.
Isolation. Often, in IT horror stories, the characters are isolated. For example, a lone system administrator might be the only one in the server room when something strange starts to happen with the servers. Another common element is the loss of control. The technology that is supposed to be under human control suddenly starts acting on its own, like a self - driving car going berserk in an IT - related horror scenario.
Horror stories often feature a protagonist who is in over their head. They might start out as an ordinary person, like in 'Rosemary's Baby' where Rosemary is just a normal woman, but then they are thrust into a terrifying situation. Settings also play a big role. Abandoned asylums, cemeteries, and old mansions are common settings in horror stories as they have an air of mystery and danger already associated with them.
Fear of death is a big element in horror stories. The threat of death, whether it's from a serial killer or a supernatural force, is always present. Also, there's often a sense of helplessness. The characters find themselves in situations where they seem to have little control over what's happening to them. For instance, in 'The Blair Witch Project', the characters are lost in the woods and being hunted by an unknown entity. There's also the use of suspense. Writers build up the tension by delaying the reveal of the horror, making the readers or viewers more and more anxious as the story progresses.
Revenge is a common theme. In many 'torture stories fiction', a character who has been wronged seeks to inflict torture on those who have hurt them, like in 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. Another theme is power struggle. Those in power may use torture to maintain control, as seen in '1984'.
Guilt and innocence are also themes. Sometimes, the wrongfully accused are tortured, and the story then revolves around proving their innocence. The torture becomes a tool to break the spirit of the innocent, and the struggle to maintain one's integrity in the face of such horror is a central aspect. It can also be about the guilty facing the consequences of their actions in a torturous way.
Power dynamics play a large role. Usually, there is an imbalance of power where the oppressors use torture as a means of control. In 'The Hunger Games', the Capitol uses the threat of torture and death in the arena to keep the districts in line.