Confirming the Itinerary

Hampstead, on the outskirts of London.

A faint tremor in the air broke the house's silence. Bates, who had gone to bed early but had never fallen asleep, immediately got up and went to his bedroom door, pressing his ear against it to listen to the sounds outside.

If decades of Werewolf Disease had brought Bates any benefit, it was his still-sharp hearing despite his age and frailty.

All the lights and appliances in the detached house had long been switched off, leaving the entire place silent. The solid wood flooring had been left behind by the previous owner and had aged somewhat. With only a few days until his seventeenth birthday, the young man's footsteps sounded especially distinct in such a quiet house.

Bates held his breath, his expression complicated. He felt relieved, but also somewhat disappointed.

Not staying out all night meant the young couple had not done anything too excessive.

The sound of Loren's footsteps alone meant little Hermione had not come over to spend the night.

Bates heard the footsteps go down the staircase, followed by the refrigerator door opening and closing and the faint clatter of Kitchen utensils. That indicated the boy was making himself a late-night snack.

A glimmer flickered in Bates's slightly cloudy eyes, and he could not help hesitating. Eating late at night disrupted sleep, was bad for the digestive system, affected blood sugar and blood pressure, and besides, he had already brushed his teeth...

Every reason told him to give up the late-night snack and embrace sleep, but when he thought of the boy's cooking, those reasons suddenly did not seem quite convincing enough.

After a difficult struggle, Bates finally made his choice. He twisted the lock and pulled open the door, his steps creaking across the wooden floor as he