The logic begins to make sense once we work through what a horror story really is: a sandbox for a potentially dangerous situation. 

Many animals show some curiosity for things that might be dangerous. Zebras will cautiously observe lions as they lounge, and minnows will swim up to a pike to keep an eye on it. However, humans are the most morbidly curious creatures of all because of our ability to ask “What if?” 

In horror, the human capacity for imagination really shines.

We concoct detailed stories of possible encounters with all sorts of beings, some of which we know well, and others that live only in the darkest recesses of our minds. We play out scenarios imagining what might happen if we, or someone like us, encountered a terrible situation. 

In real life, an encounter with danger is a costly way to learn. Our minds long for safe ways to learn about dangerous situations.