The Tears of Eagles

Fading Light

Jacob shivered as the sun dipped below the horizon. It was colder tonight. He would have to find a new jacket soon, assuming that there were any left. He sighed at the depressing thought.

Fortunately for him, he was safe, for the moment. Then again, he reminded himself, "safety" is a relative word. The sudden sound of glass shattering in the distance nearly made him squeeze off a round.

Peering into his scope, he could see masked figures jumping through the window that had just been broken. He heard a scream, but there was nothing he could do. Not that it mattered, anyway.

Thinking back, Jacob was glad they had picked the top of the school for the night. It certainly gave them a good view of the surrounding area. Nobody could sneak up on them without being seen.

The sound of tearing fabric directly to his right startled him, and he swung the barrel of his rifle around to face whatever had managed to climb on the roof, unnoticed.

But nobody was there. Jacob exhaled loudly after a couple of seconds, seeing that the ripping sound had been made by the American flag coming loose from its pole. Only a few inches of material kept it connected.

He watched it as it ripped itself free and caught on the wind. It drifted for several feet before coming to a stop on the asphalt. The ends were tattered, and the colors very dull.

Jacob watched it for a moment, then turned away, staring into the fading twilight.