I agree with Liam on the supernatural critique. Anything of that nature are probably only symbolic to Ink/TOWTM/BillRoberts/Pinstripes, but this is based on that author's interviews as well as the straight forward natural causes in the story. Not saying that there are no cultish elements, just that there probably isn't anything supernatural going on.

It seems like his cognitive abilities are a bit affected. Mimicry, trouble with numbers yet able to write them, albeit sloppily, but functions at a level more sophisticated than animals or the other Zs.