The sound of my footsteps echoes rhythmically on the pavement.

My nerves almost make me trip over my feet. I bite my lip. I’m going to a job interview, and I don’t even know what the job is!

My phone DINGS. Notification. Grateful for the distraction, I whip it out of my pocket and see that my sister, Andi, is texting me. She’s the one that set me up for this hectic job interview.

ANDI: Gl on your job interview :)

Smiling, I respond,

ME: Ty! what job is this even for??!

ANDI: Secret 🤫

ME: I’m nervous Andi!!!!

ANDI: trust me, ur a perfect fit. Ttyl and gl

ME: ok tysm!

I shut off my phone and return it to my pocket, continuing my way to the office.

“Hey! Hey!”

At first, I don’t notice the voice beckoning me. Then, it gets louder, more demanding. Finally, with a sense of unease, I say, “Who is there?”

“Me.”

In a flash, I turn my head around. I look backwards, left, right, and forwards. Yet there is still no one there.

“Look up.”

“Why?” I try to appear complacent, but my fear slips through my voice.

“Trust me.”

Obliging, I look up, and stagger back.

“ARE YOU OKAY?!” I scream. There is a MAN perched on the roof! His expression is amused.

“I assure you, I’m fine.” He grins. “I’m Mark.”

“Well, Mark, how are you up there?! I can call the fire department-!”

“That won’t be necessary.” He pauses to think. “Though, I do think I need help getting down. Do you mind helping me?”

For a minute, I hesitate. What does he mean? Is he talking about ME fetching him??!

“I’ll call the fire department,” I repeat, pulling my phone out of my pocket. I begin dialing 911 when he shouts, “STOP! Just come up here and get me yourself.”

“Me?”

“Can you do it?” His question is like a test, but it is genuine.

“No,” I answer honestly. “Frankly, I don’t know how you got up there.”

He smiles. “CONGRATULATIONS, Elia Peren! You got the job of urban astronomer! Come, round the corner!”

I do and I see a huge ladder. I grin. “What does an urban astronomer even do?”

“Do what I’m doing.”

“Scaring the crap out of people? Sure!” I smile, and begin to beckon Mark down.