Hallway loiterer

Smokey has been changing things up recently. Whereas in the past he would hide in the closet during severe thunderstorms, during the last two thunderstorms he yowls, yowls, to be let into the hall. I wonder why he thinks the hall is a good idea?

Also, it finally happened. He followed one of our neighbors out the door. I found him sitting at the bottom of the stairs outside the building, perhaps in the middle of deciding what to do next. He looked up at me when he heard me open the door. I sighed and figured I would go back inside for the leash, but when I came back he readily climbed the stairs back into the building. At least he knows he's not supposed to be outside by himself?