One Plus Two Equals... - 7

The sun was just beginning to fade over the horizon when Auden made his way up the fire escape to the roof and took his position behind the parapet, camera in hand. He had names now for a few more of the people he'd photographed entering the building across the street; names that didn't make him or his boss particularly happy. It was definitely a gathering of the troops, or at least their heads, and that was not good. Too many factions seemed to be involved.

Setting to work, he took a series of shots, thinking with mild amusement if he'd been a sniper he could have wiped out half a city block before anyone was aware he was up there. It was possible, of course, that in a few days he might be asked to do just that. Well, not kill civilians but take out a few of the people whose faces now decorated the corkboard in his office.

He was so focused on what he was doing he almost missed the slight sound of someone coming up the fire escape. But he did hear it and spun around, his hand going to the gun holstered in the waistband of his jeans. He dropped it when he saw the young man step onto the roof. Not that age made him any less dangerous. After all, I don't look much older than him.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know anyone was up here."

"No problem. I was just taking a few pictures. The view from up here is pretty spectacular."

"I know. It kind of makes you realize you're just one small part of a larger…world, I guess."

"That's pretty philosophical." Auden dropped down to a sitting position, leaning back against the parapet so he could stretch his legs for a moment. "I'm Auden, by the way."

The young man nodded. "Julyan."

"As in Lloyd Weber?"

Julyan looked puzzled. "I thought it was Andrew Lloyd Weber."

"Julian's his brother, a cellist and a pretty good one at that. Of course he's a hell of a lot older than you."

"And probably spells it the normal way. Mine is spelled with a 'y', and before you ask, I don't know why except my mother was a romantic."

"Or a basketball fan. Naw, that Julyan would be about the same age as you."

"And I can't play basketball," Julyan replied with a laugh.

"So, Julyan, are you really up here to prove you're just one ant in a hill of ants?"

"No. I heard something, probably you, up here and came up to investigate."

"Me definitely, I'd say, since I'm the only one who's been up here in the last hour. You live down below?"

"Yes." Julyan moved closer. "What kind of pictures?"

Auden grinned. "Street scenes from above, where the people look like ants scurrying around."

With a snort of laughter Julyan sat down next to him. "Can I see?" He looked at the digital camera lying on the roof beside Auden.

            After a moment's hesitation, Auden nodded. There was nothing on the camera at the moment which would make a liar out of him. He flicked open the screen and showed Julyan a few shots he'd taken.