UNLEASHED: a flash-fiction horror

by Amanda Ruzsa

When something strange stirs beneath the soil, a beloved family dog brings more than muddy paws back into the house—he brings a hunger that isn’t his. Told entirely from the dog's perspective, UNLEASHED is a visceral, heart-wrenching descent into body horror, grief, and the darkest edges of loyalty. As the infection spreads, so does the tension. Can love survive when instinct turns feral?

Genres: Horror

28 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2025

About the author

Amanda lives in Minnesota with her husband, three children, a dog and two cats. When she isn’t buried in a spooky book, she enjoys baking and spending time with her family— usually watching creepy movies or playing outrageous board games. In her free time, she enjoys collecting Halloween decor, writing macabre poetry, reorganizing her books and coming up with ways to surprise and amuse her friends and family. It has been a lifelong joke among her friends and family that Amanda is a member of the ‘grammar police.’ Writing and reading have always played a huge part in her life, stemming from growing up idolizing the talents of her Mother: a novelist, artist and journalist. Amanda began creating stories and crafting poems at a young age and never stopped. Now, reading and writing is still a huge part of her everyday life, and she feels blessed to be able to share her love of spooky stories with so many.

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was just having this conversation with someone the other day. What was the most upsetting canine-related death in a movie? Charlie from All Dogs Go to Heaven? Sam from I Am Legend? Daisy from John Wick? I’m sure there’s more, but animal deaths are awful to process, even if they aren’t yours. Now, to this book, I am new to this author and appreciated the unique style. Using the dog’s POV is nothing new, ala Wayne Smith’s Thor and Amy Cross’ Dog, which handled it beautifully. This, however, was extremely abbreviated, written almost like a prolonged poem. It was many incomplete sentences and thoughts from the lead animal, leaving basically every plot point barely addressed, with an abrupt ending, almost as if it was the start of a longer, more definitive story. This needed a better format and extreme amount of development to have more of an impact on potential readers.

[Megan Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good boy

The forward broke my heart. The story ripped it out and ate it. When good dogs go bad they can't wait to feast 🤯👀

[William Bevill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man.

I can't believe I just journeyed inside the mind of a dog.

A dog that has been poisoned.

This dog means well. It's a good dog. The family is loving. It's... It's just not going to end well.

In a short story- and I mean short, as in flash fiction, so like under 1,000 words- the author puts you into the world of conflict and confusion. This is not an easy read. This is also a book that an animal lover CAN read, and I have a dog myself. Worth a read, and then worth a second read.

[Allia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buddy is the goodest boy.
Amanda is bad for writing this.
Heart destroyed. Im gonna go cry in the corner now.

[Brandon Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short Story Review
Author: Amanda Ruzsa
Title: Unleashed
Rating: 5 Stars

First of all, Amanda, what the hell?! Part of me just wants to make that the whole review. It's witty, it's attention-grabbing, and it's true. But it does go deeper than that. Time after time, Amanda has proven that she knows how to make her readers feel every ounce of pain, and once again, Amanda has succeeded in tearing my heart out, chewing it up, and spitting it back at me. She can do in 1000 words what most authors try to do in 75,000. Just remember, while going into this story, Buddy was a good boy.

[Paige Leiby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The family pet finds a forbidden treat in the yard and brings something evil back home to share with the rest of the family. This short story told from a dog's point of view is fast paced and unsettling! It left me with a feeling of dread and sadness in the pit of my stomach. He is such a good boy... right up till the end.

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unleashed by Amanda Ruzsa is a beautifully written horror poem told from the perspective of Buddy. He loves his humans so much, but what if something he eats makes him want to turn on them? can he fight that urge and keep them safe?

[Summer R Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and the publisher or publishers for all your hard work! I'm leaving this review voluntarily and happily! Take a look!

Oh my gods, this is the second short flick from this author I've read, and this one had me in near tears. Im a cat person, but I love all animals. This is truly a story that will grip your heart until the very end, as you are being told from the perspective of the dog. You think animals don't have feelings, don't have regrets, you are very much mistaken. *Slams stars everywhere* This deserves them all and more!

[Karm Barter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautiful one by Amanda. This was from the dogs pov. I almost cried again. So sad and haunting.

[Amanda Elizabeth Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful but tragic horror poem written from the view point of a beloved family dog.

[Taylor Dawicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting short story! From the POV of an infected dog trying to fight his vicious thoughts.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I finally found a story that broke me! This is a heartbreaking story that any animal lover is going to love, whilst feeling their heart being pierced over and over.

In just a few pages Amanda manages to create a wonderful tale full of heart and grief told from the family’s pup perspective, that I both didn’t want to end and I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

I dare everyone not to look at their dog both lovingly and suspiciously after.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story written in verse. Follows Buddy, a dog that turns into a zombie (?), but is aware of the change ( à la Cujo) and tries to control his bloodlust before he hurts his family. I thought it was an effective horror story that actually gave me a chill.

[Remy Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gory and disturbing but why am I left crying???!!! He was the best boy!!!

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A flash story from a dogs point of view, buddy gets infected and and from his point of view we see how he struggles not to turn on the family that loves him. Poor buddy and poor family. A fast but thought provoking story.

[Rena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished my boxing class and this hit me just as hard.

Buddy is the bestest of boys.....right?

[Micki-D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and powerful flash-fiction horror told from a dog’s point of view. It might be just just 28 pages but it has so much it blends horror, grief, and tension. As the infection inside him spreads and he struggles to fight it.

He doesn’t want to hurt them he’s their good boy… he tries so hard to stay a good boy. The conclusion is dark and heartbreaking

[Dan Mckeithan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful look at man's best friend when he's not able to be your friend anymore. Telling the story from Buddy's perspective made it even more compelling of a read. This flash is quick but unleashes emotions. What happens when your best friend can't stop from hurting you?

[Rebecca Bectoria · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Wow 😳😳 that was insanely heart wretching but fantastic.