Everything changed three months ago when the first ‘request’ was uploaded. This mysterious ceremonial light phenomenon that occurs approximately six minutes after death sends one’s treasured belonging to an unknown location many people throughout the world can only question until a sixteen year old girl uploads a request video that provides a clue to where these sentimental items have transcended. And it is this question that drives this teenager and her new group of friends into being pursued by an organization that is willing to capitalize on its financial potential. What they learn along the way represents how inhumane people can be when this recent natural event affects capitalism, religion, social acceptance, and reflection. But is this a side effect of the ‘request’ or its true subliminal intentions?
The entire world, set in the near future, has changed since the discovery of these ‘requests.’ New businesses and services are created to capture this special moment after death. All religions are forced to translate what this peaceful yet unusual occurrence means with the general consensus being that their supreme being is allowing one sentimental object to be taken into their afterlife. Social media erupts with new apps to track these request videos as the global public has an addiction to them. Powa is a teenager who partially uploads a request video which initiates an avalanche of issues she did not foresee. After a social media frenzy, she intentionally leaves her summer school studies in order to escape her pursuers who happen to be an aggressive corporation that is grossly invested in the well being of the human body. To make matters worse, a government agency whose assignment is to authenticate all request videos, services, and businesses is demanding to view that video in its entirety. Unable to determine friend from foe, she confides in a group of nerds that are already set on their own pilgrimage. Along the way, they learn of other cruel measures companies are willing to invent in order to have their device be the object of the request. Many believe the final piece to the puzzle lies with Powa even though she is convinced other celestial forces are at play.
Currently, there is a growing fan base due to its unique nature.
Nice one, Nhim! Even dying you manage to outsmart grownups. The nurse is disarmed by Nhim’s whit and cute face and lets me be. Almost immediately the tempo of the beat goes quietly flat. I lower the camera. Nhim is gone. I start to cry but remember his camera is still in my hand. I have an obligation to my friend. As I raise the camera to my face, I pan over to the pictures on the wall. Surely one of these will be the one. I zoom back out. The time is near. I can feel the warm tears softly flow down my cheeks. As I try and focus on every item in the room, the camera begins to get hot. The battery must be getting low or something. I keep looking through the view panel. The camera is not as heavy as before. The heat has now dissipated. Then something I will never forget takes place. Flickers of light spring from the camera. These lights pop out like embers from a fire and take on an orbit around the camera. They start off slow and begin to pick up pace. There is no noise, just lights. Before I know it, the camera had partially disappeared. More lights of all colors spring from the camera now and their orbital rings make for a beautiful ceremony. I could have removed my hand, but I did not want to risk messing up this special moment. (I knew from watching other request videos not to interfere with the request process unless I wanted to end up with more lines than a tiger.) The faster the rings of light spin, the faster the camera disappeared. Then my hand became empty just like that. The lights are now gone. Eventually my eyes adjust to the dimly lit room again. I look over at Nhim as he lays there in silence. I sink my head into his little belly and join the weeping crowd.
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Italian
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Translation in progress.
Translated by Sanja Jovanovska
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Portuguese
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Already translated.
Translated by Tainá Fernandes da Rocha de Araujo and Carolina Almeida
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Author review: Ms. Tania did a fabulous job. She kept in contact with me and ensured all the specialized words were translated correctly. I hope to work with her again. |
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Spanish
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Translation in progress.
Translated by Alba Vidal
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