Story Elements

Carlos laughed at how scared he had been last year. He had no way of knowing he was about to face a fright that wasn’t meant to be fun.

• Foreshadowing

• Suspense

• Flashback

Suddenly, she was five years old again, standing on the edge of a dock and falling backward, unable to control her fall, and unable to swim.

• Foreshadowing

• Suspense

• Flashback

He noticed all of a sudden, the birds had stopped singing. The air was still, and not a e branch moved on the trees. He looked up at the sky and in the distance, he saw a funnel cloud forming. He thought he might have about ten minutes to get home before getting caught in the tornado. He began to run, his feet pounding on the pavement. He could hear the wind begin to howl behind him.

• Foreshadowing

• Suspense

• Flashback

The elderly man thought back to his own boyhood and the friends he’d had in his home town. In his mind, he could see it like it was yesterday.

• Foreshadowing

• Suspense

• Flashback

Sally felt relieved. Finally, her chores were done. Her relief wouldn’t last for long, though. Her mother knocked on the bedroom door and walked in. 

• Foreshadowing

• Suspense

• Flashback

Her mother sat in the kitchen, wringing her hands. “I don’t know about this,” said her mother. “Mom,” said Cathy, “It’s just a party. What’s the worst thing that could happen?”

• Foreshadowing

• Suspense

• Flashback

Joyce watched the clock. The hands seemed to be frozen in time, but Joyce had no sense of it. All she knew was that she had to wait until 8:00. Her body shivered in fear as the shadows grew. She felt as if they were reaching out to grab her. Something lurked in the darkness, but what could it be?

• Foreshadowing

• Suspense

• Flashback

When the alarm clock sounded, she leaned over to turn it off and to get up and start her day. She had no idea it would be one of the most memorable days of her life.

• Foreshadowing

• Suspense

• Flashback

Linda heard scratching at the door. As she walked through the kitchen to the living room, the scratching seemed to get louder. She assumed it was the cat, but she saw him asleep on the corner of the couch. The scratching became more insistent and urgent. Linda rushed to the door and swung it open, expecting to see something horrible or frightening. 

• Foreshadowing

• Suspense

• Flashback

Kim was transported back to last summer. She remembered the hard work it took to get the cabin in shape for another summer at the lake. Her mind went back to the fun her family had as they worked together.

• Foreshadowing

• Suspense

• Flashback