To create a short and scary story in the Past Simple tense in English, you can use the following example:
"The Haunted Mansion
Once upon a time, there was an old mansion on the outskirts of town. People whispered about its dark history and eerie reputation. One stormy night, a brave young man named Jack decided to explore the abandoned mansion. As he entered, the creaking floorboards echoed his footsteps. Suddenly, ghostly shadows danced across the walls. Jack felt a chill run down his spine as he heard faint whispers in the air. As he reached the top floor, a ghostly figure appeared before him, its ghastly face twisted in anguish. Jack gasped in horror and stumbled backward, trying to escape the sinister presence. With a loud scream, he ran out of the mansion, vowing never to return. The haunted mansion's dark secrets remained hidden, but Jack never forgot the terrifying night he had experienced."
This story incorporates elements of suspense, mystery, and fear typical of a scary tale. The use of the Past Simple tense helps set the scene and convey the events in a chronological order, adding to the suspenseful narrative.