The 'Girl in the Mirror' is also popular. There's a girl who is home alone at night. She goes to the bathroom and when she looks in the mirror, she sees a figure standing behind her. Every time she looks away and then back, the figure gets closer. It turns out to be the spirit of a girl who died in that house long ago.
Another is 'The Babysitter'. A babysitter is alone in a house with the children she's looking after. She starts getting creepy phone calls. The caller asks if she's checked the children. As the night goes on, the calls get more menacing. Eventually, she discovers that the calls are coming from inside the house.
They are popular because they create a sense of shared fear. When people gather around a campfire and listen to these stories, it's a communal experience. Everyone is in the same state of suspense.
One classic element is the isolated setting. Usually, the story takes place in a remote area like a deep forest or an abandoned cabin far from civilization. Another element is the presence of an unknown or supernatural threat, such as a ghost, a monster, or a cursed object. Suspense is also key. For example, the story might build suspense by having strange noises gradually get louder. Characters in these stories often make mistakes that lead them deeper into danger, like ignoring warnings or going into a spooky place out of curiosity.
The 'Bloody Mary' story is well - known too. You go into a dark bathroom, light some candles, and say 'Bloody Mary' three times into the mirror. Supposedly, the vengeful spirit of a woman named Mary will appear. Some versions say she was a witch, others that she was murdered. People claim to see all sorts of terrifying apparitions when they perform this ritual.
Another well - known one is 'Bloody Mary'. Legend has it that if you go into a dark bathroom, light some candles, and say 'Bloody Mary' three times in the mirror, a ghostly figure will appear. It's often said to be the spirit of a woman who was wronged in some way, and her face will be covered in blood.
One classic campfire horror story is about a hiker who got lost in the woods at night. He heard strange noises, like growls and footsteps that seemed to be following him. As he ran, he saw a pair of glowing eyes in the dark. When he finally found a small cabin, he thought he was safe, but inside there were strange markings on the walls and a cold presence. He tried to leave but the door slammed shut on its own.
One of the best campfire horror stories is 'The Hook'. It's about a couple parked in a lover's lane at night. They hear on the radio about an escaped lunatic with a hook for a hand. Strange noises start to come from outside the car. When they drive away in a panic, they find a hook dangling from the car door handle. It plays on the fear of the unknown and the vulnerability of being in a secluded place at night.
The unknown is one of the scariest elements. For example, in many horror campfire stories, there are strange noises in the dark that you can't identify. It could be anything from a wild animal to a supernatural being, and not knowing makes it terrifying.
One classic is 'The Hook'. It's about a couple parked in a lovers' lane. They hear on the radio about an escaped lunatic with a hook for a hand. Then they hear a scratching noise on the car door. When the boy drives away in a panic, they find a hook hanging from the door handle. It's a simple but effective story that gives kids a good scare.