Decima's work

Path Well Trod

An image of SCP-XXXX during material testing on ██/█/2018. The footprint in image is multiple hours old and is fading.

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: A .5 km radius of surveillance is to be maintained around ██████, Missouri at all times under the guise of experimental film effects. Any civilian interacting with SCP-XXXX is to be escorted away by security individuals dressed in casual clothes. Amnestics are not necessary to administer in reaction to exposure to SCP-XXXX unless the cover for its containment is exposed as a Foundation operation.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a track of footprints that moves of its own volition around the town of ██████ with a semi-predictable pattern. The footprints are similar in size to the foot of an average human male, measuring approximately 29.6 cm in length and 10 cm in width.

SCP-XXXX is easily tracked in most environments as all material most materials¹ it steps on show its presence. In its standard path it walks along cement, wood, dirt, grass, and grated steel, all of which leave behind imprints of feet at a depth of 3cm for approximately of 4 hours before fading away with its depth continually decreasing until the materials are unmarred.

The SCP follows a set pattern of locations daily (designated SCP XXXX 1-4 respectively), leading from the inside of an abandoned house (SCP XXXX-1) at approximately sunrise to a nearby park (SCP XXXX-2) where it stays until noon. At noon it begins its path into an empty construction (SCP XXXX-3) lot where it stays for approximately 45 minutes, variable by up to 15 minutes, followed by a path to a shed in a local wooded area (SCP XXXX-4) before returning to the abandoned home it originally left from near sunset.

Additional Information: SCP-XXXX was originally discovered by UIU on █/██/2017 after agents heard of a "ghost" haunting a local area. Following investigation the "haunting" was discovered to be an anomalous affect out of the expertise of their personnel and was immediately reported back to local SCP headquarters for assistance on containment due to the nature of the anomaly.

Addendum XXXX-A: Testing materials for permanent containment is currently halted.

+ Show Material Testing Log

Date	Material	Result	Time of Day	Analysis
Testing is to be done under the guise of trying "Special effects" on different materials in different light settings. Each Test is to be attempted 5 times throughout the day. If results differ they will be recorded and the time will be noted.
█/█/2018	Sheet of Steel	Footprint is left as normal	N/A	Established that the anomaly is not unique to materials in its path. -Dr. ███████
█/█/2018	Dirt from another location	Footprint is left as normal	N/A	Confirmed that the anomaly is not based on local environment and may affect other matter in its path. -Dr. ███████
█/█/2018	Small Slab of Brick	Footprint is left as normal	N/A	Established that the anomaly may effect materials not native to its path. -Dr. ███████
██/█/2018	Pane of Glass (Transparent)	Footprint stops at edge and reappears at other end of pane after slight delay	N/A	Established that SCP-XXXX does not interact with certain materials, however this does not seem to stop it from continuing, merely disguises its effects. Is this effect based on transparency or material? -Dr. ███████
██/█/2018	Pane of Glass (Stained Red)	Variable	Sunrise: Footprints appear on pane. Noon: Footprints stop appearing on pane, similar to previous test. Sunset: Footprints reappear on pane.	It appears there is some correlation to the transparency or coloration of the object. Further testing needs to be completed before relevance of time is apparent. -Dr. ███████
█/█/2018	A Hole Dug in the path of SCP XXXX	Footprint stops at edge and reappears at other end of hole after slight delay	N/A	It seems there is some level of depth, or perhaps altitude difference that would prevent SCP XXXX from manifesting. -Dr. ███████
██/█/2018	Mud (Standard path after rain)	Footprints appear as normal	N/A	At what density does it stop effecting objects? It doesn't effect gas, but it does effect (some) solids. Where does it stop? -Dr. ███████
██/█/2018	Puddles (Same day as prior test)	Footprints appear as normal	N/A	The footprints are 3cm deep below the water, it seems to not count water as a proper material to manifest nor obstruct. -Dr. ███████
██/█/2018	Previous Hole filled with Water	Footprint stops at edge and reappears at other end of hole after slight delay	N/A	Established that water is not considered solid enough for the anomaly -Dr. ███████
█/█/2018	Sheet of Transparent Plastic	Footprint stops at edge and reappears at other end of sheet after slight delay	N/A	Proposed that it is transparent materials, not a unique property of glass. -Dr. ███████
██/█/2018	Wire Reinforced Glass (3cm square reinforced)	Footprints appear as normal	N/A	Established that that anomaly does not effect transparent materials, however further testing is required to establish size necessary of material to cease effect -Dr. ███████
██/█/2018	Wire Reinforced Glass (6cm square reinforced)	Variable	Sunrise: Footprints appear on pane. 10am: Footprints stop appearing on pane similar to previous tests. 4pm: Footprints reappear on pane.	It seems that the wires within the glass cast enough of a shadow at certain points of the day to make the glass opaque enough for SCP XXXX to manifest. With all the information we have gathered, I propose a replacement of SCP XXXX's path with a 3cm thick layer of transparent plastic or glass disguised as an art installation.2 -Dr. ███████

+ Show Addendum XXXX-B

Addendum XXXX-B: On █/█/2018, a glass path was being constructed for containment. Due to the lengthy construction period, by the time the path reached a length of 5m SCP XXXX had reached the start of the path and disappeared as expected. However, █ construction personnel working on new containment procedures for SCP XXXX shortly thereafter experienced a new anomalous effect. The shadows cast by th construction crew remained fixed on the glass. After a brief delay fitting SCP-XXXX's walking speed, the footprints reappeared upon reaching the shadows. once the footprints appeared on the shadows, corresponding footprints appeared on the workers according to where the shadow was stepped on. This resulted in █ deaths as the footprints crushed the throat and skull of the workers. Construction was aborted and immediately disassembled by remaining construction crew with approval of supervising personnel. Further attempts at containment changes without approval from 2 or more level-4 personnel are prohibited.

It seems we still have a lot of research to do on this thing before we can even try to contain it. My heart goes out to the families of the workers whom my mistake effected. -Dr. ███████

See the following tab for exploration logs.

Path Well Trod Logs

Exploration Logs for SCP XXXX

Making good use of my new research assistants. Hopefully they can get to the root of this. -Dr. ███████

+ Exploration Log A; SCP XXXX-1

SCP XXXX-1, ██/██/2017, Group of 5 researchers.

A face appears in view of the camera as it is turned on. The timestamp reads 2:00pm. Rustling noises and idle chatter are heard as the camera is turned around to face the group of researchers assigned to examining SCP XXXX's visited locations. It is early morning with the sunrise just starting and they are standing outside an abandoned building. A Yawn is heard.

The researchers hype each other up to have the courage to go into the building. One researcher opens the door and bows dramatically to encourage the others to enter. Groaning is heard as the rest shuffle into the building, the camera view follows.

The inside of the building is dusty and decrepit, there is furniture inside but it is in various states of mold and decay. Multiple researchers comment on the smell of the location to be unpleasant and swamp-like. The camera follows the 4 researchers in view as they examine the entrance room carefully. They state that there is nothing of note and proceed into the dining area following the entrance room.

The researchers quickly turn away from the kitchen complaining about a rancid odor. The researcher behind the camera tells them to cover their mouths and continue. The camera view advances past the others and scans the kitchen. There is rotten food sitting in basket on a counter and a visible cloud of flies buzzing throughout. Nothing of note is found. They continue to the final room of the house.

The bedroom is in a similar state of disarray to the entrance area. The bed which takes most of the room is mildewed and grey. The camera view is shifted to focus on a desk to the left of the bed. The desk is messy, cluttered and has spots of dried blood across it. In the center is a large leather-bound book that appears to be in spotless condition, contrary to its environment. A hand is visible to the side of the camera waving the other researchers to the location.

The camera is unsteady as the researcher makes his way to the desk making comments as to the quality of the furniture and his attempts to avoid touching it. The camera steadies out as he reaches his destination. A second researcher appears within the shot standing next to the desk. The cover of the book appears to be in English saying "Methods to Immortality". She is encouraged to open the book. There is a moment of hesitation before she complies.

The inside of the book is pristine white with cursive handwriting that cannot be made out from the cameras angle and sigils filling the pages. She flips through large portions of the book until she comes to a section that appears to be missing multiple pages, only noticeable due to the ashy remains of scraps of paper at the binding. There appears to be a few multicolored sticky notes on the neighboring pages. The book is closed and quickly put into a small containment box for further future research.

After a quick scan around the house, the researchers determine there is nothing more of value within and leave. An unmoving shadow in the shape of a person is stretched across the floor near the desk but goes unnoticed due to the filth of the room. The camera turns off.

The camera cuts back to life and there is bickering heard as the researchers blame each other for missing something, stating that they were lucky to turn back for a second check. The camera focuses on the open door of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Sat on the top shelf is a severely damaged skull. The camera comes out of focus as it looks down the refrigerator shelves and sees multiple other moldering organs of unconfirmable origin. A gag is heard.

After a few moments of examining the fridge the camera feed cuts once more.

+ Exploration Log B; SCP XXXX-2

SCP XXXX-2, █/█/2018, Group of 2 researchers.

The camera whirs to life and takes a moment to adjust to the brightness of the day, fading from a pure white to a sunny day with clear blue skies. The timestamp reads 7:46am. One female researcher in a t-shirt and shorts is in view shading their eyes taking a look around a park surrounding them. The park has a few people in the distance walking a dog and a couple children playing frisbee within the shot. The camera shifts downwards to look at a trail of footprints that are leading up to a bench where they have stopped.

A masculine voice behind the camera states that its a good a place as any to take a break and that could be the reason the footprints lead here. The first researcher responds with a laugh and a comment that it is a pretty good park. They mention that the footprints may take offense to them taking its spot and then walk to the bench and sit on it with room enough between them for a third person.

There is idle chatter about the oddity of the situation as they watch the footprints and look around for anything that could have relevance.

Cut in the camera feed due to lack of activity.

The shot returns to the researchers standing up and following as the footprints begin to move again. The timestamp reads 11:56am. The researcher behind the camera mentions getting paid for relaxing.

The footprints leave the park heading into a lowly populated, rundown section of the city.

Film is split at this point for categorization.

+ Exploration Log C; SCP XXXX-3

SCP XXXX-3, █/█/2018, Group of 2 researchers.

Video resumes where Exploration Log B cuts.

The female researcher is speed-walking to keep up with the footprints with the camera jostling behind her, audible heavy breathing is heard after approximately 15 minutes of walking. The masculine voice is heard between breaths quietly commenting on the fitness of the female researcher and SCP XXXX.

After a few minutes longer the tracks lead inside of an abandoned construction site with only a frame and minor siding for what records state is a warehouse. SCP XXXX is seen crossing over construction materials including rotting wooden boards and corrugated steel with no adverse affects.

The researchers kick aside clutter and turn past a shipping container. The camera is mostly faced downwards and shaking with steps. After the camera clears the corner the camera is raised to eye level, SCP XXXX is visible infront of a work bench. The female researcher steps up to examine it and the camera follows.

The desk's paraphernalia shifts clearly into focus as they step closer. The desk appears to have a welding mask, hunks of iron, multiple pieces of iron forged into unusual shapes, and a hammer. Neighboring the desk on the floor is a simple clay furnace filled with used coal.

The female researcher notices and grabs a shard of shattered black metal on the bench. She comments that the successful pieces seen in SCP XXXX-1 must have taken a while.

The view moves closer to the work bench. A few shoddily made wrought iron shapes are visible. They bear similarity to the ones found previously with exception in that they have glaring flaws or imperfections.

The items are individually picked up and rotated in front of the camera to document. After cataloguing the masculine voice behind the camera calls to wrap it up indicating the time and making a statement in relation to the walk making lunch more important. When the female researcher protests he counters with a comment about the predictability of the anomaly and the ability to return to it easily.

A hand is seen fiddling with the camera before the feed ends.

+ Exploration Log D; SCP XXXX-4

SCP XXXX-3, ██/█/2018, Group of 3 researchers

The shot is silent as it turns on and sees the image of a shed amidst a forest. The shed is made of corrugated steel and plastic, both of which appear to be of low quality and degraded due to weather. The forest is messy with broken branches littering the ground near the shed. A snare trap is visible in the background. The timestamp reads 5:06pm.

The silence is broken by the crunching of leaves and twigs from the advancement of two researchers. The researcher behind the camera mutters about the perceived creepiness of the location. He receives a dirty look from one of his coworkers.

+ Found Materials Log

List of found items.

SCP XXXX-1A; "Methods to Immortality": This is a black leatherbound book with pristine white pages that appears to describe methods to attaining immortality similar to how a cookbook reads. It claims that each method only works once.

Further research into whether this is an anomalous object is needed. -Dr. ███████

SCP XXXX-1B; Handwritten Sticky Note in found book, Pink, Black Ink:

"I think this is the one, I'll stay a scientist, continue my work. Even if I become a husk, I'll complete my work. I'll be unstoppable."

SCP XXXX-1C; Handwritten Sticky Note in found book, Blue, Black Ink:

Where does one even get a severed head or metal working equipment?

SCP XXXX-3A; Handwritten Folded Page from warehouse desk, Black Ink: There is a cursive message that is followed by a short comment in print below it that reads as follows:

"You become what you always have been, you will continue what you have done in life. You are sure to leave your mark but may become a shadow of what you once were. Your path will never be clear because those who try to stop you will become the road on which you walk. -Don't forget what you're doing this for. This book is your last chance."

Footnotes

1. [See Material Testing Logs]

2. See Addendum XXXX-B