The use of magic and curses in these horror stories is also very scary. In Hungarian taltos stories, when they use their powers for evil, it can bring about all kinds of disasters. People might suddenly find themselves under a spell, losing control of their own minds or bodies. And there's often no easy way to break these curses, which makes the situation even more hopeless and terrifying.
The dark and mysterious forests in many Eastern Europe horror stories are quite frightening. In the Baba Yaga tales, the forest is not just a place of trees but a realm full of unknown dangers. The forest seems to have a life of its own and can trap the unwary. There are also strange noises, shadows that move on their own, and a sense of being constantly watched. All these elements combined make it a really spooky setting.
In Slavic folklore, there are tales of the Baba Yaga. She lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs deep in the forest. She is often depicted as a witch who can be either helpful or extremely dangerous. If a person wanders into her territory, she might put them through terrifying tests or simply devour them. Her appearance alone - with a hooked nose, long teeth, and wild hair - is enough to send shivers down one's spine.
The unknown is the scariest. In 'as is horror stories', things are often left in their natural state, so you don't really know what's lurking in the shadows or what's causing those strange noises. It's that sense of not having all the answers that makes it terrifying.
Isolation is also a key element. When characters are alone in a spooky place, like an abandoned asylum in one of the stories. They have no one to turn to, and that makes the situation even more terrifying as the horror unfolds around them.
The unknown is one of the scariest elements. When things are not clearly defined, like a strange figure in the fog in some stories from '1001 horror stories', it makes our imagination run wild. We start to create the most terrifying scenarios in our minds.
The scariest element could be the sense of the unknown. For example, in many stories, there are strange noises or happenings that the characters can't explain. It's that not - knowing what is causing the fear that really gets to you.
The isolation in many of the stories is really scary. Like when a character is alone in an old, abandoned building, cut off from the outside world, and they start to feel like they're being watched by something malevolent. There's also the fear of the supernatural, such as ghosts or demons that defy the laws of nature. This makes the characters, and the readers, feel powerless against them.
The unexpected noises are really scary. Like the casket making sounds or the organ playing on its own. It's unexpected and creates an immediate sense of unease.
The sudden movement of the LPS toys when they're not supposed to be able to move is really scary. It goes against what we know about them as inanimate objects.
The unknown and the supernatural. Take the Black Shuck for instance. A huge, black spectral dog just appearing out of nowhere is terrifying. There's no rational explanation for such a thing, and that's what makes it so spooky in UK horror stories.
The loss of control. When someone is hypnotized, they are in a vulnerable state. In horror stories, this often means they can be made to do things against their will, like harming themselves or others, which is really scary.