The vivid descriptions. Take 'The Cask of Amontillado'. Poe's detailed account of the catacombs and the slow descent into madness and revenge makes the story really stand out. The settings in these short stories are often as much a character as the people in them. They create an atmosphere that is both immersive and terrifying, which is why they are so popular.
The suspense. In many of these stories, like 'The Most Dangerous Game', there is a constant build - up of tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The relatability of the settings also plays a part. Stories set in common places like a normal neighborhood or an old school make it easier for readers to imagine themselves in those situations. And the short length allows people to get a quick scare during a short break. Also, the diverse range of horror themes, from supernatural to psychological, appeals to a wide audience.
In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', it's the narrator's psychological breakdown that scares. His obsession and the guilt that eventually consumes him are really terrifying. For 'The Monkey's Paw', the idea of getting what you wish for in the most horrible way is what makes it scary. You think you're getting something good but it turns into a nightmare.
The suspense. In top scary short stories, like 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the author builds suspense by making the reader wonder what the narrator will do next. Will he really kill the old man because of that eye? This keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.
The suspense. In top scary short stories, the build - up of suspense keeps readers on edge. For example, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the slow descent into madness of the narrator as she is confined in a room with the strange wallpaper creates an intense sense of suspense.
The use of atmosphere. For example, in many stories, it's often a dark and isolated setting like an old abandoned house or a desolate forest. This immediately makes the reader feel uneasy.
The element of the unknown. For example, in many of the stories, there are unexplained noises or figures. We don't know what they are or what they want, and that scares us.
These top ten stories are terrifying for multiple reasons. They use elements such as the supernatural, as in 'Carmilla' with the vampire theme. The psychological aspect is also strong. In 'The Masque of the Red Death', the prince's attempt to escape death is a futile psychological battle. And the element of shock is present too. In 'The Lottery', the sudden revelation of the true nature of the lottery is a shock that leaves readers horrified. They also often have a sense of inevitability, like in many of Poe's works where the characters seem doomed from the start.
The variety of themes. It covers everything from love and loss to social issues and human nature.
The unknown. In these stories, there are often elements that are not fully explained. For example, in 'The Slenderman', his origin and true nature are left ambiguous. This makes our minds fill in the blanks with the most terrifying possibilities.
The use of atmosphere also contributes. In many of the amazing top 10 scary stories, the setting is often a dark, desolate place. For instance, an abandoned asylum. The long, empty corridors, the broken windows, and the feeling that something is lurking in the shadows all add to the scariness. Also, the anticipation of something bad about to happen keeps readers or listeners on edge.