Well, the static sort of... they started messing with our heads. I mean more than just showing us things. Started feeling like you were the only real thing around, like you were alone. With people blinking in and out of existence, that didn't help much. And then the static closed in entirely. It was just that and the eyes that had been appearing. There was this compulsion. Draw eyes on yourself or mark them out. Varied from person to person.

I drew eyes on myself. I dunno. I couldn't help it. It was like I was barely in control anymore. It was the only thing that was gonna protect me, that was gonna protect this person--the Prophet--we didn't know anything about, really. Except at that point that the eye symbol was around clues that helped us open new areas. [John shrugs, looking uncomfortable.]