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The Story:
The trades are never avoidable. We can dodge them. We can narrowly escape their grasp, but they always catch up to us at some point.
It begins with one slip up. Maybe we tripped while running away. Maybe they saw our shadow around a corner, or maybe we just gave up that day. For me, I made the mistake of caring for someone else. Caring for anyone other than yourself is like asking to be caught.
“Cross the bridge. Don’t stop until you reach the other side,” orders the trades ranger with his gun pointed squarely between my shoulder blades.
I’m trying not to shake, but I can’t help it. No one actually knows what happens when we’re traded. We just know that we’re selected, and once caught, they have us walk out of the city and never return.
Every step feels like an hour has lapsed, as I walk toward the vehicles on the other side. Two trucks with trades rangers and an armored car are waiting for me.
If I could jump over the side of this bridge, I would. With one last beat of my heart, I would choose to leap, rather than face whoever is in that car. But someone apparently tried that because there are nets hanging below the bridge, preventing the freedom a fall could bring. My trade will happen. I’m not getting out of this.
I reach the other side and stop a few feet from the car. A trades ranger approaches me.
“Stand up straight, for God’s sake. You’re already filthier than most.”
He walks to the side, and the car door opens. A woman in a fur jacket steps out. She looks familiar, but I don’t know why.
“Look at you! All grown up now!”
A man steps out of the car behind her.
“Yes, she is,” he responds, as though I can’t hear them.
I keep my feet planted, not knowing how I should be reacting to this strange conversation. I must be wearing my caution right between us all.
“Sweetheart, it’s us. You’re finally ready to join society.”
Is society not where I’ve been this whole time?
“She doesn’t know what that means, Lika. She doesn’t understand any of this. You have to…”
“Okay, okay. Iris, honey… We’re your parents.”
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