BARTER TRADE: An enemy's life for wealth.

I always wanted fame and wealth but had no means to acquire them until a lucky star fell on me—or rather, an unlucky star. I was stupid. I thought there was no harm in bartering lives for wealth, but I only regretted it later on.

My misfortunes began on Thursday evening when I was walking back home from my shift at a restaurant where I worked. I held the candy I had bought for my 4-year-old son and smiled. If I could give him more, I thought. I clenched my fist when I remembered how my own family kicked me out after a rich tycoon raped me and fled. The main reason for kicking me out was the fact that I did not want to abort the child I was carrying. Since then, I haven’t contacted my family. I live alone in a dingy apartment with my son. I was almost home when the temperature suddenly changed to a very cold atmosphere. A figure in a long golden clock appeared in front of me. I scratched my eyes to see if I was daydreaming due to my work stress but oh boy it wasn’t a dream. The figure moved closer and extend a paper. Shakingly, I took the paper. It was a contract. The paper was written bater trade, a life for wealth. I was dumbfounded. The figure spoke. ‘My dear all you have to do is write the name of the people who hurt you and money will just flow into your life like a river. I am sure your family has hurt you and even the father of your child.’ How did he know my affairs I questioned my inner self. ‘Just make sure you do not run out of enemies.’ the figure added. I just signed the contract telling myself that evil people deserved to die and pay for hurting me. That night I went to bed unsure of the event that had just occurred to me, I looked at my son. Nothing mattered to me in this world except him.

The next day at the same time in the evening the figure approached me again and asked me to say a name that I hated so much. I quickly blurted ‘Marcus’ my son’s father. What followed next was like a half terrifying, half exiting dream. True to the figure’s words Marcus was found dead, and I unexpectedly received a large amount of money, more than my salary for three years. The figure kept approaching me asking for more names of my enemies and I did not hesitate, I kept giving out names of my family members and workmates who had offended me, and I kept getting richer my son was now living the life he wanted. I had almost wiped out my whole family and the father’s family. I had no more enemies, when I informed the figure that it just let out a wicked laugh and said ‘You better have enemies or your loved one’s will be at stake’ I trembled upon those words, I had to find enemies but where?