THE MOMENT
Over the course of 40 years, Gregor learned a lot about society. It wasn't any one thing, and always evolving. One day, in his youth, he woke up screaming in terror. His parents dismissed it as the most realistic nightmare he'd ever experienced, and life moved on, but the fear remained.
By happenstance, he made an online friend who eventually revealed the same fear Gregor struggled with. And, that led to finding more of them. As time went on, they formed a support group of sorts, sharing their memories and experiences with people not believing them. And now, they were finally 1042 of them gathered in the same location with their families, on the morning of the disaster.
There was no plan, of course. Every single child pursued some sort of STEM education in the hopes of finding a way to stop the eventual disaster, but by the time the 40-year allotment ended, they'd realized the truth. The world was destroyed; there was no way to fight that. It wasn't a natural disaster that could be prevented with science. All they could do was gather and spend their last day together.
It felt like a small county fair with only a couple of thousand people chatting and having a good time, and Gregor was feeling proud of his part in organizing it. He'd somehow landed the informal leadership position of the 1K, and he'd done his best to make the last day special for everyone there. He was walking toward the stage to get up and make an announcement, but just before he started up the steps, he blinked.
It wasn't a normal blink. Gregor didn't know how he knew that, but he was also sure everyone else blinked at the exact same time. And now, there was a white-haired woman wearing a black blazer on the stage.
"Everybody excited for the big day!?" She asked enthusiastically and gestured with her hands to try and elicit some applause from the crowd, but they were too confused.
"Fine, be that way," she said it with playful spite. "My name's Minuette, and I represent Void Holdings. You don't know what any of that means, but trust me, it's important to say," she added. "So, congratulations on putting your heads together and making this nice little soiree. You lucky ducks get to survive," she giggled and spread her arms to gesture broadly at both sides of the crowd. Immediately, several tall black portals opened on each side, as well as one next to her.
"So, this is Roy," she introduced him as a towering mountain of a man emerged from the portal beside her. He was blonde, wearing a pink polo shirt and blue jeans, and stood at least two feet taller than Minuette. "He's going to destroy the Earth like you all saw. If you wish to leave, you may exit through the portals, and Void Holdings will be happy to place you on another Earth."
It didn't take much convincing. Everyone there was of the mind they were going to die that day, and they were given a free exit. Gregor was on his way to the nearest portal to help keep things orderly when he blinked again, and Minuette was right next to him.
"Honestly, not bad, Greggy," Minuette nodded. "I didn't think you'd make any meaningful progress, but good job getting everyone together. I was right about society not really doing anything; a thousand kids spread out across the world are basically nothing. But you still managed to get them all to face the end with dignity."
He stared at her with blank confusion as he tried to process her words.
"Ugh...," she sighed. "I'm saying you won," she said. "That's why they get to leave at all." He was still puzzled, and she grumbled. "Here," she reached forward and smacked his forehead with her open palm. Immediately, memories flooded his mind.
"I CAN CHANGE IT!" He'd yelled. It was never a dream; it actually happened. It was the blinks. He didn't know how he knew, but Minuette could control time. "Send me back, and I'll change it!" He'd begged her. And, she was amused enough to accept a challenge. She explained how time worked, and if he changed anything, they'd get to live.
"You didn't mean everyone, did you...," he asked as the replay echoed in his mind. "Only those of us here survive, right?"
"You are a smart one, Greggy," Minuette giggled. "But, you didn't exactly convince society about anything."