His intelligence. Hannibal Lecter is extremely intelligent, which means he can outwit almost anyone. He can plan elaborate traps and manipulate people without them realizing it until it's too late.
His lack of remorse. He can kill and torture people without any feeling of guilt. In a story, this makes him unpredictable and terrifying because he doesn't follow the normal moral code. He might kill someone just for the fun of it or because they slightly annoyed him. For example, in some stories, he targets people who he thinks are rude or disrespectful, and he does so in the most brutal ways.
One of the scariest Hannibal Lecter stories is about his escape from prison. He managed to outwit the guards with his brilliant and devious mind. Once free, he started stalking his next victim, a young journalist who was writing about his crimes. The journalist felt a constant sense of being watched but could never see who it was. Hannibal was always just one step behind, leaving little clues like a piece of a rare flower or a strange note. Eventually, the journalist realized who was after her but by then, it was almost too late.
Hannibal Lecter is not a completely real person but is inspired by real - life elements. Thomas Harris likely combined different aspects of criminal psychology and the actions of known criminals to create this character. In the fictional world, Lecter's backstory involves a traumatic childhood which may have contributed to his warped sense of self and his heinous crimes. His character has been so well - crafted that he has become one of the most famous fictional serial killers.
Thomas Harris may have been inspired by the study of serial killers in general. The lack of remorse and the cold - blooded nature of many real - life serial killers could have influenced the creation of Hannibal Lecter. Additionally, the way some killers manipulate and outsmart the police, similar to how Lecter does in the stories, could be another source of inspiration. For example, there are cases where killers left false clues or were able to carry out their crimes in plain sight due to their cunning.
In the 'Scary Sally Story', it could be the sense of isolation that Sally feels that makes it so scary. If she is alone in a place where she can't get help easily, such as in an old mansion in the middle of nowhere. And if there are things that seem to be out of place or not normal, like objects moving by themselves or strange voices whispering in her ear. The combination of being alone and these abnormal occurrences can be truly terrifying. It also might be that Sally herself is a relatable character, so readers or listeners can put themselves in her shoes and feel the fear more intensely.
The mystery surrounding Gengar adds to the fear factor. We don't really know where it comes from or what its true motives are in a scary story. It could be lurking anywhere, waiting to play a cruel trick on an unsuspecting victim. It might be hiding in the corner of a spooky attic or in the bushes outside a lonely house, and this sense of the unknown makes it extremely scary.
The atmosphere. If it's set in a dark, isolated place, it can be really frightening.
His actions might make him scary. For instance, if he stalks people in the story or does something really cruel to his victims. Also, the mystery surrounding him. If no one knows where he came from or what his motives are, that adds to the scariness.
The setting of the story might make it scary too. If the bear is in a place where people feel they should be safe, like a backyard or a small town. And if the characters in the story are helpless against the bear, like they don't have any proper weapons or means of protection. The idea that the bear can overpower them easily makes the 'the scary bear story' a truly scary one.
It could be the setting. If the story takes place in a spooky location like an old cemetery or a haunted house, that would make it scary.
Perhaps the way the thumb is described in the story. If it's described as being pale, with long and sharp nails, or if it has some sort of oozing substance on it, that would make it quite scary. Also, if the thumb is associated with some sort of dark magic or a curse. For instance, in the story, whenever the thumb is present, bad things start to happen to the people around it. It could be that people start having nightmares, or they see strange apparitions, all related to the presence of this thumb. And it keeps getting closer and closer to the main characters, creating a sense of impending doom.