By: Michael Stypulkoski.

Ms. Ballard’s biology class buzzed. The day’s lesson had really struck a chord with her students.

“So there are humans out there who don’t look human?” asked Tom. “Do they have antennae? Horns? GILLS!?”

“Isolated populations can, over time, speciate due to natural selection and genetic drift. We lost contact with the other colony worlds millennia ago. Theoretically, they could look quite different today,” explained Ms. Ballard.

“Yuck!” said Kathryn, shivering.

RRRIIIIIIINNNNGGGGG!!!

The students rose with the ringing of the bell and, extending their hemelytra, took to the air toward their next classes as Ms. Ballard waved from the ground.

© 2026. Michael Stypulkoski

Michael Stypulkoski is a writer and actor originally from California. He currently lives in Virginia with his girlfriend and two large cats. stypulkoski.com.