Howl says nothing during the period of silence, choosing to wait by the door and watch Emet-Selch from afar. The creeping anxiety is not lost on him, but he can't even fathom a guess about what this memory is about or what might happen next.

When the knock comes, he startles and looks back at the door. After another glance at Emet-Selch, he reaches out for the door handle and opens it, as he'd been ordered.