What Happens When Earth is Your Second Home? — Susan Hart

 In a nondescript town where the ordinary reigned supreme, Harold Carter had always felt like an outsider. Though he tried his best to blend in, there was an undeniable peculiarity about him that set him apart from his peers. It wasn't until he reached adulthood that the true extent of his differences became glaringly apparent.As Harold approached his thirtieth birthday, strange things began to happen in his presence. Objects around him would inexplicably float in mid-air, and electronic devices would glitch out whenever he was near. At first, he tried to dismiss these occurrences as mere coincidences, but when he accidentally caused a power outage in the entire town just by sneezing, he knew he could no longer ignore the truth.One fateful morning, as Harold stood before the mirror, his gaze fixated on the anomalies that adorned his body. Seven toes graced each foot, a jarring deviation from the norm. His ears, delicately pointed at the tips, seemed to defy the conventions of human anatomy. Even his skin bore an ethereal, verdant hue, a subtle yet striking contrast to the flesh tones he had grown accustomed to.Bewildered and consumed by a burning curiosity, Harold embarked on a quest to unravel the mysteries of his existence. He sought solace in the confines of a local gym, where he could discreetly observe the bodies of others, searching for any semblance of familiarity amidst the sea of conformity.As days passed and his gym membership expired, Harold's obsession deepened, his need for answers becoming an all-consuming force that propelled him towards a pivotal decision – a visit to the doctor's office.