In a world where social media reigns supreme, the young Mila tries to realize her dream and succeed in the contest of 02/14 to become a star of social networks.
However, Mila's life takes a drastic turn when she is abducted by the notorious pirates...
I head outside the house after I grab my smartphone, feeling a slight shiver as I step into the chilly morning air.
Taking a deep breath, I appreciate the crispness of the air as I make my way through the sand, my shoes crunching softly with each step. I pause for a moment to watch the mesmerizing dance of the waves as they glide over the water, the gentle ebb and flow a soothing sight.
A part of me yearns to touch the water, to feel the coolness against my skin, but fear holds me back. All my life, I've been told that only men possess the strength to cross the sea and that if a woman dares to touch the salt water, it will bring about her demise. I can't help but question the validity of this belief, but the risk of discovering the truth is not one I'm willing to take.
Our world has been ravaged by pollution and rising water levels, leaving us surrounded by an ever-encroaching sea that seems to be swallowing the land itself.
As I walk along the sidewalk, a yawn escapes me. Sleep eluded me last night, leaving my mind feeling foggy and sluggish. I pass by other girls on their way to school or the fields, all seemingly unaffected by the restless night I experienced.
The announcement that played on our small TV last night continues to replay in my mind, refusing to be forgotten.
"The Kilmy contest is coming up! It'll take place on 02/14, and two lucky winners will move to Kilmy to live a luxurious life! Only girls between the ages of 15 and 25 can enter and will become a celebrity on social networks! Don't forget: It's also arrival day for children!"
The children are brought to our community by boat and entrusted to the care of big sisters or big brothers. The mystery of their origin has always intrigued me. Are they born like fruit, growing on trees until they're ready to be harvested? Where do they truly come from? All I know for certain is that the government provides us with these children once a year, like clockwork.
As I continue on my way, I can't help but ponder the possibilities that the Kilmy contest represents, and the questions about the origins of the children that have plagued me for so long.
The very same boat that brings the children to our community also transports the two lucky winners to the fabled city of Kilmy.
I can't help but dream of living in Kilmy, a city where dreams seem to come true and happiness appears to be the norm. Kilmy is home to celebrities who share their luxurious and extravagant lives on social media, sparking envy and admiration from those of us living elsewhere. It's the only city where laboring in the fields isn't an obligatory part of life.
In contrast, our town of Valencygne demands conformity.
Our appearances are dictated by strict guidelines, from the standardized haircuts to the itchy, uniform clothing. White veils are required, covering as much of our faces as possible, leaving only our right arm and eyes exposed. Our attire mirrors the colors of Valencygne's emblem: a graceful swan.
These uniform restrictions make me wonder why we must wear white clothing and veils to hide ourselves. What is the purpose behind concealing our individuality?
Why can't we embrace and be proud of who we are as unique individuals? Why must we suppress our differences and force ourselves to become indistinguishable from one another? The longing for self-expression and the celebration of our uniqueness persists, despite the constraints imposed upon us.
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