Top 5 Scary Short Stories: What are they?

One characteristic is the element of surprise. Stories like 'The Open Window' rely on a sudden twist at the end to shock the reader. A lot of these stories have morally ambiguous characters. Take 'Lamb to the Slaughter' for instance, the wife who kills her husband is not a typical villain. And they usually create a strong atmosphere. In 'The Masque of the Red Death', the vivid descriptions of the different rooms and the presence of the Red Death itself create a very spooky mood.

Most of them have a sense of the unknown. For example, in 'The Monkey's Paw', the family doesn't know what exactly will happen when they make a wish, and that mystery creates fear. They also often have a build - up of suspense. Like in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's growing paranoia before he finally commits the act keeps the reader on edge. And many of them deal with the darker side of human nature, such as in 'Lamb to the Slaughter' where the wife's sudden act of violence shows how people can snap under pressure.

Well, from 'top 100 short scary stories', there are many great ones. For instance, there's a story about a girl who moves into a new apartment and starts seeing a shadowy figure that always stands in the corner of her bedroom at 3 am. It slowly creeps closer each night. Another story is about a small town where people keep disappearing near an old well. It turns out there's a malevolent spirit down there. Also, a story about a doll that seems to move on its own and has a really creepy face.

Sure. There's a story about a cemetery at night where the tombstones seem to glow. Another is a story of a werewolf - like creature that haunts a small village. And the story of a possessed book that makes people who read it go insane.

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.

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 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.

Well, if short stories are scary, they can give you a quick thrill and leave a lasting impression. The intensity is concentrated in a short space.