Sometimes, it could be a lone outsider. This type of protagonist might be new to a town or community where the horror is centered. They don't know the local secrets or legends, and they stumble upon the horror by accident. For instance, in some small - town horror stories, a new person in town starts to notice strange things that others seem to ignore or be afraid to talk about.
The unknown elements usually make a 'aclassi c horror story' truly terrifying. When readers or viewers don't know what's lurking in the dark, or what the next horrible thing will be, it creates a sense of dread. For example, in many classic horror stories, there are mysterious figures that appear suddenly, and their motives and abilities are not clear at first.
The typical protagonists can be people who are a bit naive. For example, a journalist who is investigating a strange story in an old asylum. They might be skeptical at first but then start to experience things that can't be explained rationally. Another type could be a family who moves into a new house with a dark past.
Often, it's an ordinary person. Maybe a young student who stumbles upon something strange. For example, a student exploring an old school building that has a dark history.
Sure. A patient went in for a routine surgery. After the surgery, they were given antibiotics as a precaution. Soon after, they developed C diff. The diarrhea was so bad that they couldn't leave their bed without the fear of an accident. They became extremely weak and their skin started to break down from all the moisture and irritation. It took weeks of specialized treatment to start to get better.
Often, the protagonists are young students. They can be the new kids at school, who are just starting to discover their magical abilities. For example, in the Harry Potter series, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are new students who gradually become heroes.
Often, it's the curious ones. People who venture into unknown areas without fully understanding the risks. Like explorers in a jungle where a giant snake monster lives.
Often, it's an ordinary person. Maybe a scientist who experiments on themselves and accidentally turns into a monster. Or it could be a young, curious individual who stumbles upon something that causes the transformation.
The protagonists in an indie love story are usually those with a lot of emotional depth. They might be introverted, carrying a lot of past traumas or dreams. For example, a young woman who has just moved to a new city to pursue her photography dreams and falls in love with a local coffee shop owner who is also a poet. They are people who are looking for something more meaningful in life and love, not just the surface - level stuff.
Often, the monster itself is the protagonist. It goes through the process of reincarnation and all the adventures and challenges that come with it.
Typically, there's the hitchhiker, who is in need of a ride and might be a bit reckless for accepting a lift from a stranger. Then there's the driver, who could be a serial killer, a demon in disguise, or just a very strange and unpredictable person. There might also be other minor characters like people the hitchhiker meets before or after the fateful ride, but the focus is mostly on these two main characters.