“Yes,” Eli said, finally meeting the man’s eyes. “I do.”
As Eli bent down to gather the last of the salvageable canned goods, a sharp gust of wind pulled the old man’s wet overcoat open. Underneath the wool, Eli saw a flash of black leather.
At first, he assumed it was just a generic vintage riding vest. Then, he saw the patch.
Eli’s hands froze mid-air. It was a Black River Riders patch, but not one he had ever seen worn in the flesh. It featured a black river, three silver lines, and a red-tailed hawk with its wings spread wide.
The differences between what Eli knew and what he was looking at were staggering:
| Feature | The Old Man's Patch (1968) | Modern Club Patch (Current) |
| Avian Mascot | Red-Tailed Hawk | Bald Eagle |
| Direction | Bird facing Left | Bird facing Right |
| Stitching | Faded, hand-stitched gold thread | Machine-embroidered, bright colors |
| Bottom Rocker | FOUNDING CHARTER - 1968 |
Chapter Location (e.g., ARKANSAS) |
Eli stared in disbelief. The old man quickly pulled his heavy coat closed.
“What?” the man asked.
“Where did you get that vest?” Eli’s voice was barely a whisper.
The old man's face shifted. He wasn't frightened; he was instantly alert. “Why?”