In an era when we’re used to seeing blood and guts on the screen, people still seek out stories that scare them at a deeper level. One of the most effective ways to do this is through a haunted story.
In a ghost story, the main character becomes haunted by the spirit of someone who has died. The ghost may have unfinished business, or it may want to punish the character or cause them harm. The ghost can manifest itself in a variety of ways, from phantom footsteps and door creaking to strange smells and shadow figures. It can also linger in objects that were significant to the deceased, such as a piece of jewelry or a book.
Regardless of the type of haunting, the protagonist will go through a range of emotions. He or she will experience grief, guilt, anger and fear. He or she will struggle to cope with the fact that someone else is in his or her home and is haunting them. He or she will try to get a better understanding of the ghost through physical evidence, such as spooky noises and the feeling that someone is near him or her when no one is there.
Often, the ghost is a former resident of the house. It can be a person who committed a crime or was killed on the property. Sometimes a ghost is simply angry or upset that it was not given the chance to find peace after death.