“How is Martin, by the way? He looks well.” eyes squeezed shut– “You will keep an eye on him when all this is over, won’t you?” words flow in– “He’s earned that.” seen without senses– And there, I think, we are brought just about up to date.” can’t– “I have enjoyed our little trip down memory lane, but past here lies only impatience.” keep him safe–

“You are prepared. You are ready. You are marked.” please– “The power of the Ceaseless Watcher flows through you, and the time of our victory is here.” g– “Don’t worry, John. You’ll get used to it here, in the world that we have made.” I– “Now.” A cold laugh seeped out as lightning lit up the room. “Repeat after me.” -

You who watch and know and understand none.

You who listen and hear and will not comprehend.

You who wait and wait and drink in all that is not yours by right.

Come to us in your wholeness.

Come to us in your perfection.

Martin slammed open the door with a grunt and a mutter. "Christ, this weather. John?"

Bring all that is fear and all that is terror

"JOHN! What- what's going on? What's-"

and all that is the awful dread that crawls and chokes and blinds and falls and twists and leaves

"No, no, NO! You won't- please, you can't-"

and hides and weaves and burns and hunts and rips and bleeds and dies!

"JOHN!"

Come to us!

Running across the room-

I

"COME ON, JOHN!"

OPEN

In his pocket-

THE DO-

Swish CRASH!

John felt a searing pain as something dripped down his cheek. Everything was dark - no, fuzzy. Or, red?

"Oh my god, John! I'm so sorry, I wasn't sure if it would- if you were-"

Familiar, wooly arms embraced him. "You came back."

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! Are you okay? Are you dying?"

"Why would I be-" he slid a hand to his face and felt a sting where his eyes had been moments ago. "Oh."

Martin's grip loosened as he slid his sweater off and pressed it against John's face. "Christ, I'm so sorry, I had to. I thought I had to."

"No no, you were right, I think. Damn E- Jonah. The apocalypse, huh?"

"I thought if I severed your connection the Eye would release you- I, your knife-"

John chuckled to himself. "Severed indeed." He pushed the sweater back from his face and squinted at Martin. "Well, I've survived worse." His voice was strained. "I don't think this old thing is enough to do me in." He blinked a bit and let out a sigh. "Ah, they're already healing. Good to know, I suppose. It's good to see you Martin."

Martin sniffled. "It's good to see you too."