TORONTO Canada

“Let me sit back and count the ways.”

“What you doing up there, man?” The quiet voice startles me from my position, causing me to scuttle backwards – away from the edge of the fire escape and back against the hard edge of the window ledge.

I stay silent and hold my breath in the darkness.

Unmistakable steady footfalls make their way up the side ladder, the sharp slippery noise of heels scraping against the rusting metal cut away at my tense nerves.

My breath hitches, sweat breaking out on my cool skin in no time.

I’m scared shitless here, nobody should even see me – be here, nonetheless! It’s a safe place, I mean… I’ve been here for months now and nobody else has been here while I’m here. What’s this supposed to mean? He better not be a rapist or something… that’d hurt. A lot.

“In advanced, I’d just like to say that I am not a rapist or killer out to get you. I have better ways of spending my time; and those are not one of them.” Out pops a head from the top of the steps, green eyes glinting out at me. The head smiles a large honest smile; white teeth bright and straight.

In one quick and perfected movement, it seems, the friendly figure boosts himself up and onto the hard deck; now hunched in front of me. I find myself pressing closer into the way, or attempting to, the sweat on my skin disappearing.

He rocks himself on the balls of his feet, falling back and plopping onto his butt. He leans back casually on the rail of the fire escape, sighing quietly.

“So. Hey. Nice night, isn’t it?” The man asks this so nonchalantly and so oblivious to the fact he’s talking to a stranger. On a fire escape. That he just climbed for no apparent reason.

“Uh… y-yeah. Yeah.”

“Name’s Matthew.” An outstretched hand reaches out toward me, a long fingered and firm hand from what I can see. I stare at the hand owlishly, blinking and gulping at the same time.

“What do you want me to do… ?” I choke out. I must have been funny because he laughs, a deep, honest laugh that comes from his stomach. I can tell.

“It is a traditional custom handshake in which humans partake in. One usually supplies their name as an introduction and greeting, at this point in time, but one may also want to reiterate their species; especially in your case.” I blush, but thankfully it’s night, this Matthew character can’t see it.

I meet his outstretched hand half way and clasp it in my own, his is comfortingly warm while mine is clammy. I’m still nervous, what can I do? A broad smile blooms on his lips at this simple movement, shaking my hand now.

“And I knew that. I’m Simon.”

“Good to know you’re human, Simon.”