ideas to write about for a horror short story

You could write about a forest that has an evil presence. Maybe a group of hikers go into the forest and get lost. As they wander, they start to feel like they're being watched. The trees seem to close in on them, and they hear howls that don't sound like any normal animal. The forest seems to play tricks on their minds, making them see things that aren't there, like apparitions of long - dead hunters.

One idea could be a haunted house. Picture an old, dilapidated mansion on the outskirts of town. Strange noises come from within at night, like creaking floorboards and whispering voices. The protagonist could be a curious journalist who decides to spend a night there to write a story. As the night progresses, they start to see shadowy figures moving in the corners of their vision.

Imagine a forest that is known to be cursed. People who enter it often get lost, even those who are experienced hikers. The protagonist is a journalist who wants to investigate the mystery of the forest. Once inside, he discovers that the trees seem to move and form mazes. He also hears voices that seem to be leading him deeper into the forest. As he tries to find his way out, he realizes that there are strange creatures watching him from the shadows.

One idea could be a haunted mirror. A young woman buys an antique mirror at a flea market. Every time she looks into it, she sees a figure in the background that gets closer each time. At first, she thinks it's just her imagination, but then strange things start to happen around her. Objects move on their own, and she hears whispers coming from the mirror.

One idea could be that a family moves into an old, dilapidated house. At night, they start hearing strange noises coming from the attic. When they go to investigate, they find old portraits with eyes that seem to follow them. The walls start to ooze a strange, black substance. Eventually, they realize that the previous owners were part of a cult and the house was built on an ancient burial ground.

You could write about a memorable adventure you had or one you wish you could have. Maybe a day at the beach, a hiking trip, or a fantasy journey to a magical land.

One idea could be a person moving into a new house. Every night, they hear strange scratching noises coming from inside the walls. As they investigate, they find old, faded photos of a family that looks just like them but with sinister expressions. The scratches start to form words like 'leave' on the walls.

Write about a time - traveling experience. A scientist accidentally activates a time - travel device and is sent back to a crucial moment in history. They have to figure out how to get back to their own time while not changing the course of history too much, which could lead to all sorts of interesting encounters and dilemmas.

Love is always a great topic. You could write about two people from different worlds falling in love. Maybe one is a mermaid and the other is a human sailor. Their love defies the rules of their respective worlds, and they have to fight against prejudice and the forces that try to keep them apart.

You could write about a magical adventure in a fantasy world. Maybe a character discovers a hidden portal and has to face various challenges to get back home.