Nina doesn't comment on his choice to pull the boots on, not least because if something left in the pile decides to grow teeth and chase them around the halls, he'll probably move faster if he's not just in socks.

He'll probably outpace her either way, but that, at least, she's accustomed to.

"Why?" she asks. "Haven't you been doing just that all along? The only thing that's changed since last week is that you know now."