I'm stoked that you're here... I've been writing stories since I was 9 years old.

The first story I wrote was a slasher thriller, inspired by the iconic horror figures Chucky, Ghostface, Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Freddy Krueger, since that's what I was watching at the time. It was literally the day before Halloween when I decided to make all those iconic slashers wreak havoc on a mom-and-pop inn at the town's outskirts. The story followed a group of teenagers celebrating their last Halloween in high school together—blending my imagination and all I knew about teenage life at the time mixed with horror movies.

My friends loved it. Their excitement kept me writing chapter after chapter.

Since then, I've learned much more about storytelling—plot lines, subplots, character development, themes, symbolism, act structures, points of view, etc... Over the years, I've written eight completed stories that I will share as I continue creating new ones.

This novel, though, Zero Code, holds a special place. It's a culmination of all the stories, writing skills, as well as my experiences, emotions, and challenges over the years. My daughters encouraged me to publish this story, and my wife reminds me that perfection isn't the goal—life itself isn't perfect.

Each character reflects a part of me or someone I've known from various times of my life.

Rune Locke mirrors my early military days, full of determination but facing unexpected challenges, like when I was assigned to a military police platoon in 2008, and trained with them in preparation to deploy to Afghanistan, despite being a Data Network Specialist.

The military elements—MOS's, titles, training, and interactions—come straight from my life. These details ground the story in reality, making it more than just fiction. Through Rune's journey, I wanted to express the frustration of being sidelined after preparing for something monumental.

Like Rafael Lugo, I lost my sister just before a deployment. This novel allowed me to explore that grief, which influenced my actions and relationships, even when I didn't realize it.

One of the core messages I hope readers take away is that everyone is going through something. Our interactions are affected by our personal struggles. These characters are not just fictional—they're reflections of real people, each with their own burdens.

Writing this book has been a journey of self-discovery. I wanted the characters to be realistic, so I researched traits beyond my own, learning much about myself in the process. Blending personal truth with speculative elements felt natural because I tend to imagine, and learn, a life lesson from everything. Especially things that don't always get attention.

I'm most proud of how my stories portray teamwork and relationships. Despite their struggles, the characters work together for a common goal. This theme reflects my belief that we are stronger together.

Finally, I've poured my mind, heart, and soul into this work. Every scene, character, and conflict is deeply personal. Again, this novel ties together all the stories I've written since I was nine, creating a universe where they all converge. If anyone questions the effort behind this story, it's because they don't truly know me. But through these pages, I hope you will.

Much love, and enjoy.

Mr. More Than Meets The Eye,
Ishmael "Oversyte" Gonzalez