Outside, the sound of the rain was even louder. He limped as fast as he could manage across the road and through the little white gate at the front of the Hillards' property, before finally reaching the sanctuary of the porch. Despite having only been in the rain for half a minute, he was already drenched, and he took a moment to make himself look a little more presentable before finally he knocked loudly on the front door and waited. At the same time, he winced as a shot of pain arced through his hip.