Cryna

The key that fits into the key box. Ancient and worn.

Item #: SCP-4237

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: The key box must be placed in a separate room from the key. While technically the key can be placed just outside of 20 meters away from the box, it's safer to keep it at a greater distance. The preferred distance to hold the key is 5 kilometers or 3.1 miles. The key will rise in temperature if it is more than 20 meters away, so the key must be placed in a box filled with coolant, ethylene glycol can be used for the coolant. The box must then be locked and placed into a refrigerated room. Hand protection must also be worn at all times when operating with the key or the key box. Over time the key will slowly bend the coolant box because of its magnetic pull against the box. This usually will start happening around 1-2 months. When this happens, the box should be replaced. The key will have to be held onto with a machine to prevent it from leaving.

Description: SCP-4237 consists of a box with a keyhole, and a key. The box which is referred to as the "key box" has ancient tribal markings which origins are unclear. A symbol can be seen above the keyhole, this symbol consists of a circle with 7 human arms protruding outwards from the shape. Each arm appears to have been holding something but the key box is worn and whatever they were holding is gone. The key box cannot be filmed or photographed, as the pictures will simply turn black. Security cameras also cannot view the key box as the camera will be disabled. An active guard will have to be stationed outside of SCP-4237's containment zone to protect it. The key box is also the opposite of the key when regarding to temperature, the key box can get extremely cold extremely fast. This only happens randomly, and in no way can the key box's temperature shifts be predicted. If the key box is not going through any temperature shifts, then it remains room temperature, despite whatever the current temperature the key box is in. The key can be photographed and filmed, and therefore can have security cameras viewing it. It appears to simply be a worn key that could be from any time period. When the key is further than 20 meters away from the key box, it begins to heat up, getting hotter and hotter the longer it is away. The highest temperature recorded is 21,692 degrees celsius. But theories suggest it can get hotter. This makes the key hazardous to have in people's possession. The key doesn't appear to get damaged from the heat according to studies. The key also has a strange magnetic like attraction to the box, and it will constantly attempt to go to the box no matter where it is in the world. When the key gets within 20 meters of the key box, the magnetic like attraction gets stronger and makes it harder to keep the key away. The key can rip through any materials with ease when it is within 20 meters of the key box, if it's further away, then it will just slowly rip through materials, and depending on said material, it can take weeks to years. If the key reaches the key box and puts itself into the box, whoever is viewing the box will go unconscious, when they awake they appear to be shocked, or terrified, they will either kill themselves shortly after or go completely insane and refuse to speak to anyone or anything no matter the circumstances. It is unknown what they saw while unconscious as most of them have killed themselves or are unable to communicate.

Addendum: As stated before, any person that has seen the key box been unlocked is either dead or completely insane. The alive ones usually sit in silence or make random noises. Each of the insane people will have different quirks about them, but some of them share some quirks with others. Some of the quirks include; screaming, sensitivity to light, refusal to make eye contact, headbanging, self-harm, rapid shaking, rapid blinking, talking to self, singing to self, and random dancing. Some individuals have also completely forgotten any language they know, have also completely forgotten what species they are, sometimes thinking they are a chicken or a snake, and compulsive knuckle-cracking.