RAGE: a flash-fiction horror

by Amanda Ruzsa

Told from an unexpected perspective, RAGE is a flash-fiction horror story set inside a house heavy with grief and history. Families come and go, unaware they are never truly alone. Within the walls, a quiet observer learns their routines, absorbs their joys, and bears witness to horrific happenings.

RAGE is a haunting meditation on loss, anger, and the violence that lingers long after the flames die out

39 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 5, 2026

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

[Rena · Rating 4 out of 5]

My. Heart.

Amanda, what did you do to it?!

A short story that starts so innocent and then turns into something absolutely gut wrenching.

At one point I felt my eyes widen at a connection, a feeling, a ache and I'm not sure I was ready for it.

Absolutely worth reading. It might be small, like a mouse, but mighty.

[Brittani Button · Rating 4 out of 5]

In such a short story, Amanda really knows how to deliver an emotional, gut-wrenching story told from the perspective of a rodent.

Amanda is great at taking something that would be considered ordinary and let her imagination run free. Only with this story, something that some of us may have done results in revenge and tragedy.

I did receive this as a free ARC in return for a review.

[Allia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justice for the rodents

[sugarnsass_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀
Powerful tale of grief and rage! A Completely unexpected, beautifully written, punch to the heart! I became immersed quickly and held onto every word like my last breath. Amanda Ruzsa has a unique way of reframing perspectives and drawing out heavy emotions in short bursts of eerie perfection. I never know what to expect other than a bruised, battered, heart, and having the wind knocked out of me. Fantastic read!
🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀