Birdwatcher

**Birdwatcher** was the main protagonist of Clear Lakes 44. He was a former employee of the station Clear Lakes 44 that was hunted by the Broadcaster for an unknown reason.

## History

Little is known about Birdwatcher's background; however, it is assumed that he worked at either Clear Lakes Communications or specifically the Clear Lakes 44 station at some point in the past. In the series, he is shown to stay inside at all times, filling his time with birdwatching. He has to walk with a cane due to an injured leg, and has narcolepsy.

His first appearance was in Broadcast #3. While watching television, his television suddenly turned off; getting up, he fixed the television, went to grab something else from inside his house, and then returned to sit down. In Broadcast #4, he was seen picking up something from Tim Wright from Marble Hornets in an outdoor space. It is unknown what he picked up, but he was able to walk without his cane.

In Broadcast #6, Birdwatcher was in the middle of sketching something when he suddenly heard four knocks on his door. Peaking through the blinds, he saw that nobody was there, and returned to sketching; however, another series of four knocks ring out soon after, causing him to check again. Despite still not seeing anybody, he chose to stand up and check the door. After cracking the door open, he turned around; when he did, he saw Bright Eyes behind him. It stood there for a moment before rushing at him.

In Broadcast #7, he found himself back in the chair he was sitting at before while sketching. Waking up, he realized his cane was on the floor elsewhere, so he struggled to reach it, but was ultimately able to grab it. After picking it up, he called his doctor, telling him of the experience he had. He asked for his doctor to come to him, as he felt uncomfortable going out due to his narcolepsy, and scheduled an appointment for 8:30. Afterwards he began to walk to another room in his house; however, when he did, he ended up in front of a blinding light, and was able to drop his cane as he walked backwards without its assistance.

Broadcast #9 began with his doctor knocking on his door; after checking behind him to make sure that Bright Eyes wasn't there, he opened it, letting him inside. The two then sat down and began to talk. The doctor asked him how the investigation was going; Birdwatcher replied by saying that it's been 5 or 6 months and there's still been something, to which the doctor pointed out that it's been longer than that. Birdwatcher admitted that he wasn't keeping track of time. The doctor then asked if he tried the birdwatching, which Birdwatcher confirmed; he was then asked if he could draw a bird. The doctor, after seeing the result, said that Birdwatcher was under a lot of stress, which he admitted to. The doctor tried to tell him that what he saw wasn't real, but Birdwatcher countered by saying that it felt real; he explained that this wasn't the first time this happened, as he's had times where he's walked to a room in his house and found himself in a completely separate room, or even outside of his house. He also felt his leg get better, saw a blinding light, and heard voices; the doctor asked what the voices sounded like, and Birdwatcher replied by saying that it wasn't "her." The doctor then gave Birdwatcher a prescription of a mild sleeping aid, which would be delivered to his house.

In Broadcast #10, Birdwatcher picked up the prescription that was delivered to him, took a pill, and tried to fall asleep. Walker then attempted to attack him; however, he was unable to, and Birdwatcher managed to get up and chase them away with his cane. Walker ran into a closet and disappeared, so Birdwatcher sat a chair in front of it and passed out while keeping watch.

Broadcast #11 showed someone tuning into a broadcast on channel 44 made by the Broadcaster. In it, the Broadcaster said that they knew whatever audience they were broadcasting to was watching, and asked if they liked watching suffering. They then asked what was wrong with the audience, before asking if they'd like to see more. It is possible that the person tuning into channel 44 at the beginning of the broadcast was Birdwatcher, in which case he may have been the intended audience for the broadcast.

Broadcast #12 showed a continuation of Broadcast #10, with Birdwatcher asleep while keeping watch in his chair. His television then turned itself on, displaying a static-filled screen with "are you awake" written on top of it. It then began to play a loud, repeated noise that woke Birdwatcher up; he got up out of the chair and approached the television with confusion, before reaching out to touch it. After touching it, he collapsed to the ground, and turned over to see Walker, who managed to successfully grab him.

Broadcast #13 showed a phone call from an unknown woman to Birdwatcher, which was sent to voicemail. The woman mentioned that she got a job at a television station, which was nothing too exciting when compared to what he did, but that it was close to him, so she may be able to visit. She then said that she hoped he got through to the investigators, while telling him to not give up hope.

As of right now, Birdwatcher's fate is unknown.

## Theories

In ECKVA, a sleeping pill appeared called Preaxin. It is possible that the pill the doctor prescribed Birdwatcher was Preaxin, which may explain why it was able to wear down whatever natural immunity he had to Walker's attempt at grabbing him.

Static appeared on his skin in Broadcast #7, and after he was grabbed by Bright Eyes, videos began to show the perspective of his eyes, showing he had eye cameras. This means that he was likely implanted with BLOT and turned into a source. Whether he is currently still a source is unknown.

He appears to know who Walker is, or at least recognizes them in some way, as he calls them "you" when he's awoken in Broadcast #10. It is unknown what relation they have.

The woman in Broadcast #13 has been theorized to be Danielle Scott. If this is the case, then it's possible that he knew her in some way.

It is theorized by some that he is Jeremy Whalen. Jeremy Whalen worked for Clear Lakes Communications affiliate station Clear Lakes 44, and claimed to suffer mental and physical trauma due to a hostile workplace, where he witnessed unlawful business practices. He later attempted to sue Clear Lakes Communications, but the lawsuit was summarily dismissed; however, he and his lawyer did not give up hope, and planned to continue pressing. The mental and physical trauma mentioned could be Birdwatcher's need for a cane and his narcolepsy, and the investigation that was mentioned by the doctor and the woman calling him could be referring to the investigation into Clear Lakes Communications. However, this is not confirmed.