He stumbled onward, each foot moving irregularly through the dust. His ragged hat was pushed down far over his eyes, blocking out the sun setting slightly to his left. He did not fall, for if he did he could not rise again.
His numb brain heard a rhythmic sound, at first he thought it was merely a new drumming in his ears. The sound became louder and more defined, and suddenly he recognized it. They were still after him, and today they would get him again.
He did not look back, he knew what he would have seen. He kept putting one foot in front of the other, striving with his last breath for freedom. He stood a little straighter and walked a bit steadier; they would not see him fall.
With one hand he fumbled under his coat, searching for his last link to his old life. It was interesting that this very link both drove him to escape and saved him when he failed in his endeavors. Each attempt began and ended with the little silver pin.
The rhythmic sound ebbed and was suddenly drowned out by the thudding boots of soldiers. He finally slowed to a stop, and and, with a dirty dignity, turned to face the oncoming warriors. He raised one hand to his hat, and with the other he held his badge at shoulder height.
There was a word of command, hissed in a language that he wished was as unfamiliar to him now as it once had been. The soldiers lowered their weapons and surrounded him.
The officer's jeep rolled up next to him and stopped gently.
"I beg you to get in, Major. The game is over again, and you have lost."
"It is no game to me." He returned, and he faced away to sweep the horizon once more with his gaze.
As he did, he caught a sudden glare of light between the trees. It was not too far distant.
He started to get into the jeep, but with a sudden movement, his young self shining through for but a moment, he whipped the pistol from the officer's belt and pointed the man's own gun at him.
"Go away now and you might still save yourselves. Or sue for pardon from the ones who are coming. They are coming at last, and they are coming for me."
As he spoke the detachment of tanks came out of the woods and into full view over his shoulder. the officer's eyes bulged with fear.
Tonight, that ragged tired man would sleep once again.
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