His movements were calm and deliberate, a small island of normalcy in a sea o

, setting the glass back down. "You are not on Earth, Ansel. Y

the fox ears and insect eyes had been real. Ansel's mind reeled. An e

s voice barely a whisper. "That light

ce that governs the universe's stability," Dr. Mendoza explain

ered to life in the middle of the room. It showed a 3D image of

is voice filled with a quiet reverence. "It is

ble image. "Our species? But... what a

, who evolved from this world's native fauna." Dr. Mendoza's explanation was direct and clear. "Beastkin are the dominant species,

"And you, Ansel, are a very special case.

howed a complex timeline with a branching ev

Life," Dr. Mendoza continued, his voice soft. "A newborn human male was los

d directly at Ansel, his eyes filled

it finally returning you to your point o

He wasn't from Earth. His entire life-the orphanage, Martha, th

I grew up in an orphanage. I had a life... a birthday..." His

rialized on a primitive world-Terra-0, or Earth as you call it-and lived out twenty‑one yea

The lightning. The Architect's voi

r. These hands that he thought were his own.

za said, as if reading his mind. "But you are Ansel Hayes n

mall, firm anchor in the sw

He was an alien. Or rather, he had been an alien on Earth, and now, imposs

ting the words on his tongue. "An

minority, living in partnership with them

or's kind, steady face. He wasn't just a lost boy anymore.

than fear, began to t

ning a sliver of strength. "Ok

ncouraging smile, sensing the