ways to end a horror story

One way is to have the protagonist defeat the evil force. For example, if it's a haunted house story, the main character could find the source of the haunting, like an old cursed object, and destroy it. This gives a sense of victory and closure.

Ending with a sense of unresolved mystery can be effective too. Maybe the source of the horror is never fully explained, like a strange noise in the attic that just stops, leaving the characters and the reader in a state of unease, wondering what it really was. This makes the horror linger in the reader's mind long after they've finished the story.

One great way is with a sudden twist. For example, the main character who thought they had escaped the horror realizes they are actually still trapped in a never - ending nightmare. It gives the reader a shock and makes them re - think the whole story.

An unexpected twist ending can be great. Let's say the character has been trying to solve the mystery of the disappearances in the town. At the end, it turns out they were the cause all along, maybe due to a split personality they were unaware of. This flips the whole story on its head.

You can end it with a false sense of security. Show the characters thinking they are safe, but then give a last - minute scare. For example, the family has moved away from the haunted place and is having a normal dinner when suddenly the lights go out and a strange noise is heard.

Another way is to end it with a glimmer of hope. After all the horror, there's a small sign that things might get better. However, this hope should be tenuous, like a single ray of light in a pitch - black room filled with monsters. It adds a bit of relief but still keeps the overall horror tone intact.

Another way is an open - ended conclusion. This leaves the story unresolved to some extent. It can make the reader wonder about what might happen next. It gives the reader the freedom to imagine different scenarios for the characters. It's a great way for an author to engage the reader's creativity and keep them thinking about the story long after they've finished reading.

One way is with a happy ending, like the hero achieving their goal and living happily ever after. Another way is a tragic ending, where the main character fails or dies. A cliffhanger ending can also be used, leaving the readers in suspense. A circular ending, which brings the story back to the beginning in some way. And finally, an open - ended ending that leaves room for the reader's imagination to continue the story.

A twist ending is also one of the 7 ways. It's when there's a sudden and unexpected turn at the end of the story. For instance, you think the detective has caught the right criminal, but at the last moment, it's revealed that it was someone else all along. Then there's the circular ending, where the story comes back to the beginning in some way. It gives a sense of closure and completion. And finally, the ambiguous ending, which is similar to the open - ended one but is even more unclear about what really happened or what will happen.

One way is with a happy ending where all the problems are resolved and the characters live happily ever after. Another way could be a cliffhanger, leaving the reader with a sense of anticipation and wanting more. A tragic ending, where the main character fails or dies, is also a way. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, their deaths end the story in a tragic manner.