Vampire's Day (Book 1): Epicenter (20 page)

76. Sundown

“Attention, attention! We offer a truce! We will stop our attacks and stop firing. Stop shelling. We will allow your ship to leave. We offer a truce. Attention, attention!”

Jimenez heard it from her walkie-talkie, while Ivanov heard the same in Juke Box. The vampires had indeed stopped shooting; even the crazies were no longer visible. There was no more shelling from the destroyer either. She didn’t want to go out into the open, she remembered the sniper that nearly finished her, but still Jimenez felt that something had changed. As if war was canceled.

“What is it? Why they don’t attack us?” LJ murmured in surprise.

“I don’t know.”

More civilians climbed aboard the crowded ship, which would soon depart from the harbor wall. Jimenez saw Tiger walking on the ramp with a wounded woman pilot and a young cashier girl. She saw the sailors raise Lieutenant Thompson. He was alive, in spite of three or four bullet wounds.

“Listen here,” refers to his comrades Ivanov. “Indeed, a bit of a truce concluded, temporary ceasefire. Say, even chemical weapons use now and nuke-hit we've seen.”

“Temporary ceasefire? And then what?”

“I don’t know; probably start shooting each other again. We received orders to withdraw our dear Juke Box, so I'm leaving. Go to the ship, the destroyer will cover you.”

“OK, bro. Thank you for your shells and armor, it came in handy. Maybe I'll see you.”

“Vaya Con Dios!”

LJ and the firefighter left.

“Guys, can I go with you?”

“With us, in the tank? Why?”

“I lost my job here. In City of Angels it was little use from the police and in City of Vampires will be even less. You join the army, and when the truce is over, will again be in business, maybe I'll find a job too.”

“No problem, we have room enough. Sit down, beauty.”

The turret hatch slammed over her head, and Juke Box gradually gained speed, driving away. Burning Los Angeles is left behind, as Vampire’s Day continues it’s last few hours. Ahead will be a long night.

THE END