If Only Every Moment Was Black and White

John Black #0.5

by Keith Soares

THIS IS A SHORT STORY OF APPROXIMATELY 9,000 WORDS. My name is John Black. I just happen to have mental and physical abilities that most people would call superpowers. I can push people's minds to do things I want. My body can twist and change to avoid injury and burns. But you know what? That doesn't change the fact that I'm still a nerdy teenager. I struggle with school, bullies, and even hormones. Hormones, maybe more than the other two things. And I make mistakes. Like thinking Carolyn McGregor, my science fair project partner, wanted to go with me to the middle school prom. Now she just thinks I'm a freak. Which I suppose is the truth anyway. ***** This short story takes place during the events of For I Could Lift My Finger and Black Out the Sun, John Black book 1.

37 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2015

About the author

Keith Soares is an independent American speculative fiction author who has a potentially unhealthy obsession with Godzilla, so it’s no coincidence that kaiju have made it into some of his stories. His favorite question to ask when writing is, “How would I respond if that really happened, right now?” If he saw a raving, bloodthirsty shamble, he’d call it a zombie. If he suddenly couldn’t be hurt by fire, he’d call that superpowers. If he could harness electricity at will, he’d call that magic.

More than anything, Keith writes stories about family, whether that means the parents that gave birth to you or the friends you’ve had for years. His characters are fiercely loyal, though they often feel like they aren’t up to the job of whatever disaster they’re living through. We all feel that way, sometimes.

Keith's novels include The Oasis of Filth, the John Black series (beginning with For I Could Lift My Finger and Black Out the Sun), the Lightning Hopkins series (beginning with Struck), and White Fire.