DarthScathyx

Item #: SCP-5311

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5311 is to remain within a 1m³ (3.3ft³) receptacle of tungsten carbide, at least 4.2cm(1.7in) thick at all structural points. This cube is to be placed in the center of a 11m³ (36.1ft³) chamber, where, in the rare event of testing, the form-fitting, seamless lid will be removed and robotic probes (lacking pneumatics) will be operated from beyond the chamber's observation glass. Every six (6) weeks, the container should be inspected for imperfections, and mended if any are found. Any convex denting from SCP-5311's attempts to break free of its enclosure should be flattened with an electromagnetic press and reinforced with additional tungsten carbide. It is paramount that a 27m (88.6ft) radius be maintained from the anomaly, wherein there can be absolutely no length of pipe or equivalent cylindrical objects; because the full extent of SCP-5311’s migrational capacity remains untested, extra precautions must be taken, and seemingly benign objects like drinking straws or paper towel rolls must not be taken within the 27m perimeter. Firearms are also strictly prohibited for this reason. There must be at least two (2) authorized personnel surveilling SCP-5311 in a phased watch, as water fountains and restrooms cannot be stationed nearby, and, at all times, there must be at least one (1) of these monitors observing the thermal display to ensure that SCP-5311’s specific infrared signature (10.3°C (50.54°F)) remains stable. If that signature fluctuates at any time, high-clearance personnel are to be called in for further investigation. If the signature changes significantly (at least 4°C (7.2°F)), a state of emergency must be issued, as nearby facilities are compromised if SCP-5311 escapes.

Description:

WARNING:

Though SCP-5311 is securely contained, in the unlikely event that it escapes, possessing knowledge of this anomaly can render you vulnerable to it. If you decide to continue reading, please be aware that in doing so, you are putting yourself at risk of the creature’s hunting tendencies were it ever to escape. If you accept these risks, please proceed.

WARNING END

.

.

.

SCP-5311 is an unidentified, partially-sentient “creature” that remains in constant confinement to the interiors of lengths of pipe—almost exclusively the plumbing of residential housing (pre-containment). It’s suspected to have remained dormant in the pipes of an unknown location until its accidental discovery, estimated to have been in ██ of the year 20█.
Though it is unknown how knowledge of SCP-5311 was first obtained by laypeople, the story of its abilities was spread in the form of an internet creepypasta¹—the phrase “not every pipe, but any pipe,”² was repeated in most versions. In █/█/20█, about █ weeks from the first known publication of the story, an estimated ██ individuals with the creepypasta in their internet history were reported missing, burst pipes found in the homes of the vast majority. They have now, since SCP-5311’s containment, been confirmed dead.³ The “targeting” behavior of the creature has lead researchers to believe that SCP-5311 feels threatened by those with knowledge of its existence, and thus hunts down and kills them.

The rare survivors of SCP-5311 report that before striking, it sounded exactly identical to water draining through the pipes of their homes—a detail also included in the creepypasta.
If SCP-5311 senses any body language or chemical releases that suggest the victim has heard the sound and is alarmed (see Addendum 5311-1), the pipe the creature is inhabiting will rip through the wall.⁴
Although there are two (2) known instances, as mentioned above, where the intended victims of SCP-5311 have escaped (specifically when all lengths of pipe in the surrounding area were too short), most meet a gruesome death: when the end of the pipe touches flesh, an immeasurably powerful suction coming from within it will force the body of the individual through its small opening, tearing flesh apart and compressing bone in the process.⁵
Few if any remains have been left behind⁶ in pipes SCP-5311 has since abandoned, though one elderly victim’s dentures were found, crushed beyond recognition (material analysis confirmed it as dentures). Once SCP-5311 has devoured its victim, it will, using a still unknown method of travel, "teleport"⁷ from pipe system to pipe system (see Addendum 5311-2) in search of its next prey. The pipe it leaves behind will suddenly resume its previous functionality, allowing its contents (water, sewage, etc.) to flood out. It is undetermined how the creature manipulates pipe material—further testing is required.

The physical appearance of SCP-5311 remains unknown, as even those who have escaped it have never seen far enough into the pipe to describe it. Thermal and x-ray scans have yielded little, as the creature seems to have filled out its container.⁸ Though Commander █████ was able to bait and then isolate the creature within a single length of pipe, the instant it found itself trapped, it wound the pipe in on itself, sealing the openings—likely a protective measure—and hiding itself from view. Its behavior indicates a high animalistic intelligence, but that intelligence is still limited enough that Dr. ████ was able to trick the creature by erasing the memory of a subject and placing them in close proximity to it, with no adverse effects. Unfortunately, as a method of research, this has limited use, as any indication to a memory-wiped researcher that SCP-5311 is dangerous will cause it to kill them when it senses apprehension.

SCP-5311 does not seem to require nourishment and does not produce waste—Dr. ████ proposed that it might obtain the former and dispose of the latter by taking advantage of higher dimensions.

---

It must be stated once again that in obtaining information about SCP-5311, you are now a potential target of it. Though every precaution has been taken, if you no longer find the risks acceptable, please report to Sector X to have your memory expunged. If you choose to retain your memory, please be advised that were SCP-5311 to escape, your only hope of surviving its hunt is as follows: upon hearing water rushing or draining through pipes, make every feasible effort to remain neutral and unconcerned. If you cannot, your death will be forthcoming.

---

Addendum 5311-1: It is worth noting that there has been only one deaf victim of SCP-5311, as most would not be aware of the “rushing water sound” and therefore not react, which interestingly appears to be a necessary precursor to the creature’s attack. The one deaf victim, ████ █████, had been close enough to feel the vibrations the creature created, and was killed immediately after. It has been suggested by Dr. ████ that the sound SCP-5311 makes is a baiting or luring mechanism, similar to the luminescent esca of an angler fish.

Addendum 5311-2: It should be noted that the creature does not always (nor has to) leave its current pipe after one killing. In a few cases (see file █████), the creature failed to properly isolate its victim, and another individual observed it. This did not deter the creature, however; if the second individual was close enough, it would simply stretch the pipe over and devour again, and if the individual was too far, it would move to another pipe in the wall nearer to them.

Footnotes

1. This and its offshoots have since been scrubbed from the internet, and a program has been put in place to locate and delete any new uploads of it.

2. As mentioned in containment procedures, most cylindrical objects are suspect for a possible inhabitation of SCP-5311, as it has been known to occupy galvanized steel, copper, and polyvinyl chloride piping—and in two (2) rare cases, an alphorn and cornet, respectively. Because bringing cylindrical objects within the 27m radius could possibly provide a "node" for SCP-5311 to connect to pipelines beyond the facility, testing of this ability has been delayed until further precautions can be put in place. In should be noted, however, that the creature does not seem capable of inhabiting living tissue, as the tracheas of humans and animal subjects have thus far remained uninhabited.

3. The families of victims were not told the cause of death as a protective measure.

4. The strength of SCP-5311 has been found to exceed ██n of force, and it can send pipe ripping through several centimeters of steel, hence the requirement of a tungsten carbide container.

5. This suction does not effect the surrounding area, through it is not known how this process precisely isolates the victim's body.

6. The prevailing theory to explain this phenomenon is dimensional displacement.

7. Though it has not been confirmed, it is likely that this ability is, again, a form of dimensional manipulation.

8. The only confirmation of its presence is its infrared signature (see containment procedures), which remains constant even if there are temperature variations in the area around it.