" And like the dictator, if the spider was ever removed from power, if some fearful liberating sponge were to wipe away its sticky veil of power, there would be no order anymore and all of those bloodsucking insects, they would be free to bite and suck and wreak havoc in this humid cramped space. John feared the spider, but he was thankful that it was there. "

― C. Sean McGee , The Time Traveler's Wife