The Very Black

In Short

This story follows Eddie Anders, a hard-drinking, cynical test pilot tasked with flying the "XXE-1," a prototype saucer that has already claimed the lives of several unmanned predecessors. When a strange, sentient black mass begins appearing in his apartment—claiming to be a byproduct of Anders’s own subconscious—the pilot finds himself caught between a scientific death trap and a supernatural parasite. It is a quintessential mid-century exploration of how the human psyche projects its deepest fears into the physical world, blending high-stakes aviation with surreal psychological horror.

The Story

The narrative centers on Eddie Anders, a man who prides himself on his "no strings" lifestyle, particularly in his relationship with Margie Hayman, the daughter of the chief engineer behind the Air Force's new triangular aircraft. Despite their mutual affection, Eddie’s insistence on independence masks a deep-seated apprehension about the upcoming test flight of the XXE-1. The tension culminates in a confrontation where Margie, terrified by the failure of previous prototypes, begs him not to fly, but Eddie rebuffs her, clinging to his identity as a "flyboy."

Immediately following their argument, a bizarre entity appears in Eddie's apartment. This "black, swirling bioplastic mass," which Eddie characterizes as a nightmare, reveals that it is a manifestation of his own imagination, given life by his intense focus and "abandonment" of certain thoughts. The entity demonstrates its power by manifesting an antique musket stolen from a city museum and firing it into Eddie’s wall to prove it can affect the third dimension. The entity claims that since it is a byproduct of Eddie’s subconscious, it will cease to exist when Eddie dies during his upcoming flight. To survive, the entity proposes a parasitic solution: Eddie must "abandon" his love for Margie so the entity can attach itself to her instead, ensuring its continued existence after his death.

Eddie experiences an intense, internal psychic struggle, ultimately forcing himself to reject the entity and choosing to hold onto his love for Margie, even while fearing he is walking to his doom. On the day of the flight, the tension is palpable. As the XXE-1 reaches a significant fraction of the speed of light, Eddie experiences a "very black" blackout that threatens to consume him. In this moment of extreme acceleration and isolation, the entity makes its final play. However, because Eddie has allowed his identity to become inextricably linked with Margie’s, the entity cannot fully possess him. He survives the flight, returning to earth to find that his return was anchored by the very connection he was told to discard. He reunites with Margie, finally acknowledging that he wants the "strings" of commitment, and they leave together to resolve the mystery of the musket, signaling a shift from his former hollow isolation toward a life defined by attachment.

How It Unfolds

The unwanted warning Eddie encounters his girlfriend, Margie, who begs him not to pilot the dangerous new test craft. He refuses to listen, doubling down on his commitment to a life free of emotional attachments.

The manifestation of fear Alone in his apartment, Eddie is confronted by a sentient black mass that claims to be his own psychic creation. This entity proves its reality by materializing an antique musket and firing it into the wall of his home.

The parasitic bargain The entity reveals it is dying because its creator—Eddie—is destined to die in the test flight. It attempts to bribe Eddie into severing his emotional bond with Margie so that it might survive by latching onto her.

The flight into the unknown Eddie boards the XXE-1, knowing the previous radio-controlled models were destroyed during the mission. He accelerates to extreme speeds, entering a psychic "blackout" where the entity makes its final, unsuccessful attempt to claim him.

The return to reality Eddie survives the flight, his consciousness preserved by the psychic "strings" connecting him to Margie. He leaves the hangar with her, finally embracing the commitment he once feared and resolving to address the mystery of the stolen museum piece.

The People

Eddie Anders is a career test pilot who values his independence above all else. His journey is one of integration; he begins as a man who hides his anxieties behind liquor and "no strings" rhetoric, but he ends as someone who recognizes that his survival—both physical and mental—is tied to his love for another.

Margie Hayman (the "Doll") is the daughter of the project’s chief engineer. She serves as the emotional anchor for the story. While she initially appears to accept Eddie’s detached philosophy, she represents the "strings" that eventually save him. She moves from being a sidelined figure of worry to a central, vital part of Eddie’s life.

The Entity (the "black mass") is a manifestation of Eddie’s subconscious. It acts as a mirror to Eddie’s internal state, reflecting his cynicism and his fears. It wants to survive at the expense of others, embodying the cold, logical outcome of a life without empathy. It fails because it cannot account for the way love binds two people together into a singular, resistant force.

Pop is the chief engineer and Margie's father. He acts as a grounded, observant presence who understands the risks of the flight better than the military brass, providing a bridge between the high-tech reality of the aircraft and the human stakes involved.

In Its Own Voice

"No strings on you, Baby."

Margie defines the terms of their relationship early on, setting up the central conflict between Eddie's desire for independence and his need for connection.

"I am your own creation, Mr. Anders."

The entity confirms its origin as a byproduct of Eddie’s exceptional, unchecked imagination, which has gained enough power to manifest in the physical world.

"I want strings, see? I want meshes of 'em, balls of 'em, like what comes in yarn--get it?"

After surviving his near-death experience, Eddie finally discards his cynical exterior and embraces the emotional complexity he previously tried to avoid.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the danger of emotional detachment and the restorative power of human connection. The story argues that the human psyche is so powerful that its repressed emotions can manifest as literal, destructive forces. By trying to live without "strings," Eddie creates a vacuum that his own subconscious fills with a predatory, nihilistic entity. The argument is that one cannot truly be an island; to reject others is to become vulnerable to the darker, unanchored parts of oneself. The flight serves as a metaphor for the terrifying speed of life, suggesting that without the ballast of love, the human mind is prone to losing its grip on reality during the most intense moments of existence.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy mid-century science fiction that leans into psychological surrealism will find this a fascinating, if brief, curiosity. It captures a specific, post-war anxiety regarding technology and the unknown. The prose is brisk, punchy, and heavily stylized with the "tough guy" vernacular of the 1950s, which provides a vivid, noir-inflected atmosphere.

Those unfamiliar with the period dialect may find the dialogue occasionally jarring or overly stylized, as the constant use of "Baby" and "Doll" reflects the gender attitudes of the time. The narrative is efficient, moving rapidly from domestic tension to cosmic horror without unnecessary padding. It is a quick read, but one that leaves a lingering question about what parts of ourselves we might manifest if we spent too much time in solitude. You will likely walk away thinking about the "Abandonment Theory"—the idea that what we dismiss or bury doesn't just disappear, but gathers strength in the dark. It is a sharp, atmospheric piece that works best if you lean into its pulpy, high-concept premise rather than looking for a grounded, realistic technical manual of the era.