Bartered Novels & Stories

CHINYERE'S HEART BEAT faster as the old man walked up to her. He grabbed hold of her arm and looked at Tobi. "I want her." "Ah, that one," Tobi's father climbed into the truck with help from Tobi. "She's our newest. She's a golden egg, so we're picking the price." "But I'm your most loyal customer," the old man said, "at least let me choose the price." "Sorry," Tobi's father said, "but that is impossible. Eight million Naira."

And that was not good news at all. A few months ago, I had lost my job at the bar where I worked, then I became sick with no health insurance. At the same time, I met Baron. He ran an agency—I found out later that it was illegal— where he gave loans to people who urgently need money. Now, does that not sound like such a great man that helps people when they are in desperate need of cash? Well, wait until you hear about the interest rate.

“What choice do we have?” I’d been leaving clues, praying someone would find them. I tried to leave ‘Es’ but I had to hurry. I wasn’t overly optimistic. Most of my ‘clues’ just looked like random scratches. But when I heard the word ‘bar’, I saw my chance. Someone would see a word? Maybe? So I pretended to trip and quickly scratched out the word BAR. Scarlett brokered the deal. The others waited outside, although I knew Jacob was itching to come in and have himself a whore. I don’t know how much I sold for. Not much, probably. Then they all left.

“What the hell is this, Lydia?” I kept my voice calm and said simply. “It’s going to be trade by barter. You want your gifts back? Fine. But first, you’re going to give me what you owe me.” His face twisted with irritation. "What I owe you?" He let out a short laugh and leaned back in his chair. "Lydia, I don't owe you a single thing. If anything, you should be grateful. Three years of a lifestyle you couldn't have built on your own, and this is how you pay me back?”

“You want to remarry her.” “For a price, naturally.” His mouth curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “A modest one, given the convenience I’m offering you. Enough to cover the debts that have made this last year rather difficult, and in exchange, your name stays entirely clean of whatever scandal her pregnancy would otherwise attach to it. A clean break, Jason, and a fair trade for both of us.”

"Sure, I will do that and text it to you, see you soon," "Thanks, Raf," She said and the call ended, he stared at the phone for a few moments before dropping it, he went right back to work, there was a deal that was like a bone in his throat, it was neither going in nor moving out, it was just stuck in his throat, he didn't want to lose the deal as it was worth billions but at the same time, he knew the chances of him getting it was close to nothing but that didn't make him stop working towards getting it, business is a game of win or lose, he hates to lose that's why he tried not to lose as much as he could but if he does lose, there is nothing a few bottles of beer can't fix.

The others followed, emboldened by the gesture, and soon the flotilla swelled. Someone suggested a market, and in an hour, the gardens and rafts clustered together, crosshatched by planks and ladders, the air buzzing with barter. Carolina’s bread was a currency, the liqueur a common language, but it was the stories that really fueled the market. People wanted to know: What happened to the city? Who survived? What happens next?

“Huh!” “What are You waiting for, pack them up and get them ready for the exhibition!” Brago out of nowhere commanded his men. Though the sun was up. The sky suddenly turned black. The trees moved their branches by the command of the wind. I have heard of this place. The view finally came to mind. It was the ‘Apex hunt’ it was named the Apex hunt because of an ancient tale. Where the big and famous packs bid for slaves to work for them. Either as sex slaves or manpower.

“A chance to turn this ship around before it sinks. But that offer won’t last forever.” The chairman cleared his throat. “And what exactly are you offering?” I slid a document across the table, watching as they scanned the numbers. “Fifty million. All cash. Take it or leave it.” One of the older members scoffed. “Fifty million? That’s insulting. Our valuation is twice that.” “Your valuation was twice that five years ago,” I countered. “Now, you’re worth half of that, and that’s being generous. If you don’t believe me, ask your shareholders how they feel about the current state of things.”

Before she wanted to sell them at a higher price but now, she changed her mind. If she can use those remaining fruits to get something advantageous to her, then she was willing to give them out. “Then go ahead and do it. What more is needed?” “I have already used the remaining gem to register an account so we can barter trade any day. So, right now, you can either browse or just do the barter trade and see how it will go from then on.” Juan nodded her head and decided to do the barter trade straight away. She sat on the couch nervously as she watched Gem making the trade. The healing fruit disappeared from her barn storage and seconds later a cultivation manual appeared in another box.