It Changed in a Moment

Courtney Feuerstein — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:41:07 GMT

Steve blearily descended into the underground bunker after a sleepless night. The daily atrocities he witnessed had sabotaged his sleep and fueled his nightmares. He arrived in an underground cavern where large monitors tracked humanity’s downfall. A magical doomsday clock hung on the wall. Steve’s days were spent determining the effect each horrific event and human atrocity had on the clock. Officially, his title was long and boring; unofficially, he was the DoomScroller, a moniker he abhorred.

The day passed in a haze; eventually, hunger pains reminded him of his lunchtime rations. He pulled out the lunch bag labeled “DoomScroller” and realized it had already been picked over. Steve lost it.

“Seriously?” he screamed at the empty cafeteria. “I work millions of hours weekly in a dungeon, am forced to witness catastrophes and unimaginable cruelty. Years of studying so that I can help, and instead, I’m two lousy test points shy and delegated the task of watching humanity destroy itself. I make zero money, have a crappy apartment, the dryer eats my socks, and my parents love my brother more. Can’t I just enjoy my stupid PB & J?”

He heard a throat clearing behind him and whipped around to see a gorgeous woman.

“Hi,” she said hesitantly. “I am Jasmine. I started today and have been with HR. There is a second lunch,” she said with a hesitant smile.