The Boiled One

VERSE 1

The television turned itself on,

At 3:17, the signal gone.

A face appeared behind the snow,

But I don't know how it got so close.

The room was quiet, the curtains still,

Then every clock began to skip.

A voice came through the static haze,

And somehow knew my fucking name.

PRE-CHORUS

Don't look away.

Don't close your eyes.

Don't let it know

You recognize—

CHORUS

I SEE YOU IN THE SCREEN,

I SEE YOU IN THE LIGHT,

I SEE THAT FACE GET CLOSER

EVERY TIME I BLINK TONIGHT.

I'M TRYING NOT TO LISTEN,

I'M TRYING NOT TO BREATHE,

BUT SOMETHING IN THE STATIC

KEEPS SAYING, "YOU'RE WITH ME."

VERSE 2

I pulled the plug. The picture stayed.

I smashed the glass. It never changed.

The hallway stretched beyond the door,

And every room became one more.

My phone lit up without a sound.

No caller ID. Just blacked-out numbers.

Then came that voice from down the hall,

Though I knew damn well I was alone.

PRE-CHORUS

Don't look away.

Don't close your eyes.

It's learning every place you hide.

CHORUS

I SEE YOU IN THE SCREEN,

I SEE YOU IN THE LIGHT,

I SEE THAT FACE GET CLOSER

EVERY TIME I BLINK TONIGHT.

I'M TRYING NOT TO LISTEN,

I'M TRYING NOT TO BREATHE,

BUT SOMETHING IN THE STATIC

KEEPS SAYING, "YOU'RE WITH ME."

BRIDGE

The broadcast says it's over.

The emergency tone fades.

The screen goes black.

I finally breathe.

Then a whisper from behind me:

"Thank you for watching."

FINAL CHORUS

I SEE YOU IN THE SCREEN,

I SEE YOU IN THE LIGHT,

I SEE THAT FACE BESIDE ME NOW—

I NEVER LEFT THE NIGHT.

THE SIGNAL'S IN MY HEAD,

THE STATIC'S IN MY TEETH,

AND EVERY TIME I CLOSE MY EYES...

YOU'RE WAITING THERE FOR ME.

OUTRO

3:17.

The television turns on.

This time...

I'm already on the screen.