Well, in these short horror stories, the element of surprise is crucial. It could be a sudden appearance of a ghostly figure or a hand out of nowhere. Also, the use of senses helps. A cold touch, a strange smell, or a terrifying sound can enhance the horror. Moreover, a sense of isolation, like being alone in a scary place, makes it scarier. It makes the reader or listener feel more vulnerable to whatever horror is coming.
The sudden appearance of unknown entities. For example, a figure suddenly showing up in a supposedly empty room.
The sudden and unexpected events. For example, a character thinking they are alone and then suddenly seeing a shadowy figure right behind them.
One key element is a sense of dread. For example, in a story about a cursed object, the main character starts to feel an unexplained unease as soon as they come into contact with it.
The suddenness is really scary. For example, in stories where a normal situation suddenly turns terrifying like a quiet room and then a loud, unexplained noise. It gives no time to prepare.
The suddenness. For example, like 'The phone rang in the dead of night. It was a voice from the grave.' The sudden phone ring in the middle of the night is already scary, and then it's a voice from the grave which is very spooky.
Once upon a time, I walked into an old, abandoned house. The floorboards creaked ominously. In the corner, a shadow moved on its own. I felt a cold hand on my shoulder, but when I turned, no one was there. Then I heard a whisper, 'Leave while you can.'
Another really scary one could be 'My phone rang at 3 am. The caller ID said it was me.' It plays on the idea of the self being something other or unknown, and calls at that time are always spooky.
Communication is crucial. Couples in long - married stories often talk openly about their feelings, problems, and dreams. This helps them avoid misunderstandings and stay connected. Also, respect for each other's individuality. They understand that they are two different people with different needs and opinions, and they respect that. For example, in a story I heard, a husband respected his wife's decision to go back to school later in life, and supported her throughout.
One key element is the protagonist facing great challenges. For example, in the story of Helen Keller, she was blind and deaf, but overcame these disabilities. Another element is perseverance. Like Rocky in the movie, he kept training hard despite being an underdog. And finally, there is often a positive outcome that shows the rewards of not giving up.