How to write a 400 word horror story?

To write a 500-word horror story, you need a strong opening to hook the reader. Develop a sense of dread as the story progresses. And make sure the ending leaves them shocked. Add elements like strange noises or shadows to enhance the scare factor.

Once upon a time in a small, desolate town, there was an old, creaky house at the end of a winding lane. People said it was haunted. One night, a young traveler, Tom, seeking shelter, knocked on its door. There was no answer, but the door slowly creaked open. Inside, it was pitch - dark. As he walked in, a cold draft blew past him. He heard strange whispers that seemed to be coming from the walls. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a pale woman with long, black hair that covered her face. Tom tried to run, but the doors slammed shut. The woman inched closer, her nails scraping on the floor. Tom could feel his heart pounding as he desperately searched for an escape. Then, he saw a glimmer of light upstairs. He rushed towards it, only to find a room filled with old portraits, all of which seemed to be watching him. The horror intensified as the woman's cold hand grasped his shoulder.

In a long - abandoned asylum, rumors of tortured souls lingered. A group of thrill - seekers, led by Mark, decided to explore. As they entered the dark corridors, they could feel an oppressive atmosphere. Doors creaked open on their own. Mark's flashlight began to flicker. Then, they heard a chorus of screams. One of the group members, Sarah, felt a hand grab her ankle. She looked down but saw nothing. The screams grew louder. They found a room filled with old medical equipment, and on one of the tables, there was a blood - stained straitjacket. Suddenly, the door slammed shut behind them, and they were plunged into complete darkness, with the screams and the unseen terrors surrounding them.

Think of common fears. 'Silence breaks, scream heard.' Silence can be very unnerving, and when it's suddenly broken by a scream, it's a classic horror situation. It's about connecting to what people are instinctively afraid of.

First, come up with a really creepy setting like an old asylum or a haunted forest. Then, create a disturbing character, maybe a ghost or a deranged killer. Build suspense by using details like strange noises or flickering lights. For example, 'The old floorboards creaked as if something was lurking beneath them.' Also, have a good twist at the end. It could be that the main character was actually dead all along.

Well, here's a start. There was a girl named Emily who moved into a new house. The house was really big but it had an eerie feeling. At night, she would hear scratching noises on the walls. One night, she decided to follow the sound. She walked down the long, dark hallway and found a hidden door. When she opened it, she saw a staircase leading down to a basement. The basement was filled with old portraits, but the eyes in the portraits seemed to follow her. As she walked further, she saw a figure in the corner. It was a pale, ghost - like figure. It started to float towards her. She screamed but no one could hear her. And that was just the beginning of her 2000 - word horror journey.

Once upon a time, in a desolate manor on the outskirts of a forgotten town, there lived a young woman named Isabella. The manor was a brooding, imposing structure with ivy-covered walls and broken windows that seemed to leer like malevolent eyes. One night, as Isabella was exploring the attic, she found an old diary. Its pages were yellowed and brittle, but she could still make out the faded words. The diary told the story of a previous inhabitant who had dabbled in dark magic. As Isabella read, a cold wind began to blow through the attic, extinguishing the candles she had brought with her. She heard strange whispers and the sound of chains rattling. Terrified, she tried to find her way back downstairs, but the corridors seemed to shift and twist, leading her deeper into the heart of the manor's mystery. Every step she took was filled with dread, and she could feel an unseen presence following her. She finally reached a locked door at the end of a long hallway. The whispers grew louder, urging her to open it. With trembling hands, she found an old key in the pocket of her dress. As she inserted the key into the lock, she knew that whatever awaited her on the other side would be a horror beyond her wildest nightmares.

In a deep, dark forest, there was a haunted cabin. A group of hikers got lost and decided to seek shelter there. When they entered, it was freezing cold inside. They found some old candles and lit them. As they sat around, trying to figure out their next move, they heard a howl outside. One of the hikers, Mark, went to the window to look out. He saw a shadowy figure moving among the trees. Suddenly, the candles blew out. In the darkness, they could hear heavy footsteps approaching. They huddled together in fear. A hand reached out from the darkness and grabbed one of the hikers. The others screamed and ran, but the forest seemed to close in on them. They were trapped, with the horror of the cabin still chasing them.

First, decide on a topic that interests you. Then, create a basic structure - beginning, middle, and end. Focus on one main event or theme and don't add too many details. Make every word count!

Start with a clear idea or theme. Outline the main events and characters. Focus on simplicity and keep the language concise to fit within 300 words.