Sticks and Stones

Alphabet

"I guess i'm lucky I arrived when I did." He nodded and started to describe the town. "There are 26 sections to each town. Each one named after a letter, we thought it was genius. A-E is agriculture, many people have jobs in this section." He looks at me and continues, "Fruit is A and B, veggies are C and D, and grain is E."
I nod in response, but something is bugging me. "You guys don't have livestock? I guess that would make it a bit hard to find protein." "Not exactly, while we don't have livestock the town administrators gives us something. They say that they are just vitamins, but the people who have the guts to consume them have... issues."
I was about to ask him a question when he stops me.
"Over there is the end to this section. Follow my lead and do not talk until I tell you to." He squinted his eyes at me while he said that, waiting for a response. I smile and nod, something that I have gotten used to during lectures.

Two large men sit near a giant stone gate. They look at the both of us and walk up. "Listen boys, she is with me. She lost her bracelet in one of the crowds and we need to get in to find it." They look at me, and of course see that if they were to talk to me the earth would not be dry much longer. They nod and fiddle with the gate. It opens loudly and I see dozens of people inside. I thank them and walk with Elijah inside.

We walk into the town, and people fill every square inch of my vision. From the outside there appeared to be much less people. I get pushed to the side of the road, and bump into a shack.
I rub my finger along the wall and feel a dusty surface. I think for a moment and discover that it is dried mud holding the shacks together. I look down and see them built as close to each other as they can be. My guess would be that there were too many people in need of housing, and not enough houses. I take my hand off of the wall in fear if it breaking apart by the smallest nudge.
I look into the swarm of people for Elijah, feeling slightly nervous that I lost him in a sea of people. Suddenly I see his head poke out and walk up to him. He leads me to another section of the town. His hand rises up to a metal plating in the gate. I see a dim light flash when his bracelet touched it. The gate opened and he led me inside.
I see more houses, but they are a bit different. They are spread out a bit more and look to be of better quality. While they still look like they can't handle a big dust storm, they don't look like they would fall apart in the middle if the night.

I enter his house on the right side of the road. Through the cracks and moldy parts, you can tell that this was once a very nice home. He tells me that he is going to take a shower, and that I can make myself at home. I stand on the carpet and decide that I will not make myself at home. I enter what appears to be the kitchen and sit down. The old and discolored tile isn't the best place to sit, but I sometimes do this at my house.
I hear the water in the background and close my eyes. I think about the bracelet system, and how if you don't have one you are toast. I mentally curse myself and lay down completely. I'm not going to be able to do anything without a bracelet. Suddenly, a tiny voice in the back of my mind whispers an idea.  Why don't I just find where the bracelets are stored and swipe one? That is a ridiculous idea, but sometimes the stupidest plans are the best ones.
The water stops and I open my eyes. I sit up and push myself off of the hard floor. I peek around the corner and see a new face.

They had medium length blond hair and cracked glasses that suited their face. His skin was lighter than I would've thought, and although sunburnt, is clear. He looked a bit younger than when I first saw him. "I know that I am handsome, but I would like it if you would stop staring at me." I look up at his face and see him smiling a little. I have two options right now: go back into the kitchen and die on the old tile, or I can make a sarcastic comeback.

I chose option two.

"Who said you were handsome? I was just staring at you because I couldn't believe how ugly you looked." I fake gagged and laughed. I look up to see him smiling and chuckling along.
"So, do you have any ideas on how to get you a bracelet?" I contemplate telling him my crazy idea, and decide that he would probably make fun of me either way.

"I may have a plan, but you gotta be crazy to agree with me."

Hello :p. Sorry I haven't uploaded in a while, but hey, this one's length might make up for it! Don't expect too many uploads next week. Its gonna be my birthday 🎉. Hope y'all have a lovely day, and thank you for reading. 943 words.