[AREA AND NPC SPOILERS] Question about the 2nd non-Firelink area.

So I recently learned about the cage guy secret in undead settlement. The dude you're supposed to hitch a ride with is hostile, though. The first time I saw the crazy Nana NPC, I reflexively took a couple swings at him, but he didn't turn hostile. Then I talk to him and move on to the big cage guy, who got mad at me and ran off the cliff. So now, every time I try to activate the secret, it doesn't work. Is this just going to have to be something I save for NG+?