One common element is old buildings. Abandoned factories, old mansions or former hospitals often feature in these stories. They carry a sense of history and mystery. Another element is tragic events. For example, deaths, murders or suicides that took place there in the past. These events create a somber and spooky atmosphere.
Well, I know a story. In a certain downtown alley, there's an old lamp post. Legend has it that if you pass by it alone at night, you might see a figure in old - fashioned clothes. It's said to be the spirit of a street vendor who was murdered there many years ago. He's still lingering around his usual spot, perhaps looking for something or someone. However, this could just be a spooky tale made up by the locals over time.
It depends on your perspective. Fiction can offer profound insights and truths about human nature and emotions that might not be directly observable in real life. But nonfiction presents verifiable facts. So, it's not straightforward to say which is more truthful.
There might be a story of a park that was built on an old cemetery. People often see shadowy figures among the trees at dusk. These figures seem to be wandering aimlessly as if they are still attached to the place where they were buried.
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One well - known urban legend is the 'Bloody Mary'. Supposedly, if you go into a dark bathroom, light some candles, and say 'Bloody Mary' three times while looking into the mirror, a ghostly figure will appear. Another is the 'Vanishing Hitchhiker'. People claim to have picked up a hitchhiker, only for the hitchhiker to disappear from the car later. There are also stories about haunted houses in the middle of cities, where strange noises and apparitions are reported.
They can also originate from local history and folklore. In some cities, there were tragic events in the past like murders or accidents. These events can be the basis for ghost stories. People might start to claim they see the spirit of the victim. Urban legends can come from things like rumors about a particular business or place. If a store has a reputation for being strange, stories can build up around it. For instance, if the store has odd - looking mannequins, people might start a legend that they come to life at night.
One true urban ghost story I heard was about an old, abandoned apartment building. People said that at night, you could see a figure in the window on the top floor. A couple of brave teenagers once went in to explore. They heard strange noises, like whispers and creaking floors. They ran out in a hurry and swore never to go back.