"A World Inside a World" by Serena Jin: February 2026 3rd Place

“Well, the project has been a success. They won’t think that our own planet Earth is a simulation as well.”

Laura froze in place. Surrounded by the faint murmur of conversation and the inky void, the words she heard echoed in the cave of her mind, repeating endlessly.

“What did I just hear?!”

That was a week ago, when Laura was dutifully doing her job as a virtual-reality tester. She had been offered a chance to test an all-new space world, carefully designed and made as realistic as possible. Once she had eagerly put on her gear, she had plunged into the pixelated realm, not knowing she would soon learn information that could cause global panic.

Yes, the world had been devoid of any filler music, so she was able to hear the meeting just next door, and the words that had been passed along.

And now, she was on the train home, headphones playing as loud as they could in an attempt to block out the sounds of her mind. The vehicle swayed, and people passed by her, but she paid them no heed. “Earth is just a simulation? Why, how- No, I need to tell someone!”

Suddenly, an overwhelming sense of dread began to surface. This company was very powerful, and if this forbidden knowledge was released, the person who spread it would surely be in danger. What was she to do? This would change the course of human history forever!

The train doors opened in front of her. People shoved, pushed, and squeezed their way like fish in a river up to the entrance. Stumbling blindly to the exit, she exited, train doors closing smoothly behind her.

She walked up to the entrance of her apartment, trying to pay attention to the stairs leading her way to rest. The key clicked and the door opened, and she closed it with a bit more force than necessary.

Her bags were set down, and the lights were turned on, and she finally decided what she would do.

“One day, the truth will be revealed. But not in my lifetime.”