Garden Of Words

Image taken in America during the "Swinging Sixties." The man with glasses sitting in the forefront of the image is physically identical to SCP-4269, despite this image predating the containment of the subject by over 40 years.

Item #: SCP-4269

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures:
SCP-4269 is currently housed within a standard humanoid containment room located on Site-19, with the interior of said facility resembling a standard meeting room. 24/7 soundless surveillance is in operation within the room, and any personnel who attempt to interact with SCP-4269 through anything resembling sign language are to be terminated immediately, regardless of their status within the Foundation.

The focal point of the room containing SCP-4269 is a table and two chairs. SCP-4269 seems indifferent to luxuries such as beds, game consoles and the like being placed into its containment for the use of those living alongside it so long as the table and chairs remain untouched. On January 2nd, 2019, a request by SCP-4269 for a third chair was approved by Professor Wurst. No further requests have been made.

One deaf D-class worker is required to be housed within SCP-4269's containment at all times. They are tasked with "listening" to whatever the subject has to say each time it awakens from a hibernative state. One or more sides of the room are to contain a window consisting of soundproof glass which can be used by research teams to observe SCP-4269 and those living alongside it. So long as they comply with instructions pertaining to the containment of SCP-4269, the D class worker living within the container can request any luxuries they desire, although these requests must be approved by a member working on the SCP-4269 project . It is preferable that the D-class worker is both deaf and blind, although it is permitted for D-class personnel with no physical ailments to be "used" in order to prevent relocation, should no other alternative be possible at the time.

Revision 1.1:
Following incident-4269-A, SCP-4269 is to always be housed with two D-class personnel. Should one of the personnel expire or be terminated for any reason, the other shall take their place in finishing the “conversation” with SCP-4269 in order to avoid a relocation event. The two subjects are to take shifts “listening” to what SCP-4269 has to say.

Description:
SCP-4269 appears to a physically unremarkable male humanoid who has been given the nickname “Hippie” by D-Class personnel residing alongside it due to its anomalous trait and above-average hair length. SCP-4269’s anomalous power is that any subject who has a conversation with it shall, without fail, perish upon the ending of said conversation. The reason for this is currently unknown, although test results indicate that SCP-4269 is only fatal to converse with when the subject shares his "knowledge" in the form of a monologue. SCP-4269 has also been confirmed to possess the ability of compulsion, and interviews whereupon the subject has threatened to relocate suggest combined with how it first appeared on Foundation property suggests it is capable of something akin to teleportation. SCP-4269 promises "enlightenment" at the beginning of its fatal conversations, with it being gifted the nickname “Hippie” by a D-class who previously lived in confinement alongside it due to how "Hippies in the real world promise the same thing." The notable difference is that, in this case, our subject can seemingly deliver.

Addendum-4269-01: Initial Encounter & Containment

Addendum-4269-01: Initial Encounter & Containment
SCP-4269 first appeared before Researcher Spiegel on December 31st, 2018 as he was getting a cup of coffee from the break room on site-19. It is unknown how SCP-4269 appeared before Mr. Spiegel, but the Researcher was compelled to sit down at the table and listen to what the subject had to say. He documented this on a standard notepad, which has since been destroyed. Researcher Spiegel was alone at the time, and was found by D-942 approximately an hour later, who had been sent to fetch him. D-942 found the researcher deceased in his chair with no signs of physical harm, and SCP-4269 was recorded to be sitting opposite him in a dormant state.

The closest containment team, MTF Epsilon-11 ("Nine-Tailed Fox") were sent to the area and successfully contained SCP-4269, who remained dormant throughout the operation and didn't awake for approximately 160 minutes afterwards.

The notepad Researcher Spiegel documented his encounter with SCP-4269 on was recovered by D-942 during their initial encounter with the subject, who then proceeded to hide the document in some way before returning back to their living quarters later that evening. D-942 was discovered deceased the next day, with the notepad having been turned to the second page of writing pertaining to SCP-4269. The pad was immediately confiscated and labelled as SCP-4269-2

This notepad was used in a multitude of tests (See Addendum-4269-02) before being completely incinerated due to its dangerous properties.

Addendum-4269-02: Testing and disposal of SCP-4269-02

Addendum-4269-02: Testing and disposal of SCP-4269-2
SCP-4269-2 refers to the notepad of deceased Researcher Spigel. Upon its retrieval, SCP-4269-2 was entrusted to Professor Wurst, who possessed a great amount of experience dealing with anomalous items. A request made by him to run a series of tests to determine the new nature of the notebook was approved by a Class A executive shortly thereafter.

The nature of these tests can be found below.
Please note that numerous preliminary tests were carried out prior to these, but the recording of them has been deemed unnecessary due to the already expansive nature of this document.

Test ID	Procedure	Results	Analysis
2.1*	D-424 was to be sent into the room containing SCP-4269-2. Subject is only capable of speaking fluent French and is to count the amount of words on each page of the notepad, which was completely empty prior to Researcher Spigel's encounter with SCP-4269.	Subject reported there being a combined total of 416 words on the first page, 411 on the second page, and 14 on the third. Subject was then told to exit the chamber, eventually complying after telling researchers they wished to go further. Subject left the chamber and admitted themselves for examination, where they were found to be in near-perfect health.	SCP-4269-2 deemed to be non-fatal to those who do not understand its contents. Seems to have a minor side effect of compulsion to read on, although this can easily be shaken off and doesn't seem to last long.
2.2	D-696 and D-697 are placed together within the room containing SCP-4269-2. Before the experiment commenced, D-696 was told that he was to read the contents of the item while D-697 was to merely stand nearby, not looking at SCP-4269-2 but listening intently. Soundproof glass is installed on all sides of the room so that no sound can get in or out during the experiment.	D-696 picked up the notepad and began reading from it, stopping approximately 43 seconds after turning to the second page. D-696 dropped SCP-4269-2 and looked up towards the glass where Professor Wurst was situated, being joined by D-697 within seconds. Subjects stood still, clearly alive yet seemingly lost in thought for approximately 148 seconds. After this time had elapsed, both subjects collapsed to the floor and were later proclaimed deceased.	SCP-4269-2 deemed to be fatal to those who read its contents or hear them second-hand. Professor Wurst expresses doubts regarding the ethics of foundation methods.
2.3	One D-class personnel sent into the containment chamber and asked to read only the first page of the notepad.	Subject was skeptical, but complied upon being reminded that insubordination was grounds for termination. Subject finished reading the first page and, once informed that testing was over, reported that he felt compelled to finish reading it. However, upon being informed of the potentially fatal impact of reading the second page, subject quickly recoiled and was kept for overnight testing. Upon examination the following day, subject was found to be in a completely stable mental state, expressing no desire to further read the document.	First page of SCP-4269-2 deemed to be completely harmless outside of a compulsion to read on. This compulsion can be completely mitigated if the remaining pages of the material aren't supplied.

*Test 1.1 occurred shortly after this test, resulting in the obtainment of knowledge that greatly influenced the direction of future tests.

Test 3 was the final test in this series of tests, with Professor Wurst being killed [See Addendum SCP-4269-05] before testing could be completed.

A request to 05 command pertaining to the destruction of SCP-4269-2 was approved under grounds of firstly being a mere extension of SCP-4269's powers, and secondly due to it having immense destructive potential, should its contents somehow be broadcast to the wider public. Prior to its incineration, the first page of SCP-4269-2 was attached to this document [See Addendum-SCP-4269-3].

Addendum-4269-03: The contents of SCP-4269-2

Addendum-4269-03: The contents of SCP-4269-2.

A typed manuscript of the contents found within the first page (two sides) of SCP-4269-2 is located below. Reading it has been documented as having no adverse impact on the reader, although you are to proceed at your own risk nonetheless.

This is Researcher Spiegel. I just finished my shift for the day and decided to go to the break room in order to get a coffee. The room was empty when I went in, and yet once I turned back towards the empty tables after finishing collecting my drink from the machine, I saw a man at the table. He isn’t dressed in any sort of uniform which indicates a rank, and as such I do believe he has escaped from one of the onsite facilities. I’m pretending to not have noticed him currently, but I can’t shake the feeling that he’s staring at me, despite me having my back turned.

He just asked me to take a seat, ominously stating that he shall “Leave to find someone worthier” should I refuse. I’d like to think I had a choice in joining him at this table, but honestly it felt like my muscles were moving on their own. Regardless, if this is a humanoid SCP who has escaped containment, the best I can do is to humour him until a recontainment team stumbles across my location. He doesn’t look dangerous, but then again, we also have fluffy teddy bears which kill people around here and slugs which transform into your greatest sexual desires, so I probably shouldn’t be judging by looks alone.

I’ve got a much better look of him now, and he doesn’t look overly terrifying or anything. He has long hair, like one of those hippies, and he has some flowers in them. They’re completely withered, and his hair looks incredibly dirty and matted. I’d say this is that security guard who attracts all kinds of nasty bugs if it wasn’t for the fact that there are none to be seen.

He’s started talking to me now. Talking about how he deems me worthy of enlightenment, whatever that means. Going on about how he stumbled upon it following on from “The second war.” Doubt he’s speaking of the second world war; guy doesn’t look any older than 40. I can the sound of footsteps upstairs, can’t get up and run though. He’s most definitely got some kind of power, although I’m able to hum and probably also able to speak. I could shout for help, but I don’t really want to cause a commotion. He doesn’t seem to be inherently evil, just a bit of a weirdo. Now he’s telling me he’s seen death. This seems pretty promising; he does look like he’s been [end of page]

Addendum-4269-04: Testing upon SCP-4269 and successful containment.

Addendum-4269-04: Testing upon SCP-4269 and successful containment.
Upon initial containment, it was made a top priority to examine SCP-4269 and identify its anomalous traits. A series of tests were performed to varying degrees of success. Following his success with SCP-4269-2, Professor Wurst was called upon to overlook all experiments on SCP-4269.

Test ID	Procedure	Results	Analysis
1.0	D-891 was sent into SCP-4269's containment unit upon initial containment. Subject had been documented as signally to nearby staff that it needed to speak to someone. D-891 was equipped merely with a notepad and pen and instructed to write down a tally mark for each word it said. Monitoring staff could only look on due to the soundproof nature of the containment unit.	D-891 recorded 1,011 tally marks, and also wrote that "I can't get up but I keep trying to", which Wurst attributed to the compulsion SCP-4269 seems to exude. Upon the end of the exchange, D-891 expired in a way similar to both subjects during Test 2.2. Upon D-891's death, SCP-4269 seemed to show signs of deep grief and entered its hibernation state shortly thereafter. It has been assumed that SCP-4269 doesn't intend to kill those who it talks to, but is so obsessed with distributing its knowledge that it doesn't consider the negative impact it may have on minds "smaller" than its own.	Test was repeated twice despite the disapproval of Professor Wurst, and approximately 500 tally marks were recorded each time before the subjects ceased keeping track, seemingly entranced by SCP-4269. Researchers documented that SCP-4269 seems to converse in the form of a monologue, with both test subjects seemingly not speaking once during the exchange, but listening intently.
1.1	D-424 was called upon once again, used in Test 2.1 due to them only being able to comprehend French. D-1031 was also used, a subject only capable of comprehending Japanese. Both were told by Professor Wurst to enter SCP's containment and listen to what it had to say, with him theorising that they won't be able to comprehend it due to their lack of English [SCP-4269-2 proved that subject had communicated with Researcher Spigel in English]. Both test subjects were equipped with nothing aside from a notepad and pen.	Both D-424 and D-1031 wrote down a variant of "It is speaking my language" on their notepads and expired in the same manner as previous victims at the end of their encounter with SCP-4269.	SCP-4269 found to communicate in an unknown language which seems to translate itself into the native tongue of anyone who hears it. A distressed Professor Wurst suggested that it may not be a specific language, but rather knowledge so incredible and universal that it translates itself so as to be understood by listeners.
1.2	D-1210 sent into containment, equipped with a pair of earplugs. Subject is to wear the earplugs throughout the conversation (having placed them in his ears prior to entering the chamber), blocking out all sound coming from SCP-4269.	SCP-4269 began speaking for approximately 96 seconds before D-1210 spoke into his mouthpiece, stating that the subject had said it would "Seek out someone more willing to listen", should D-1210 not "remove that unnecessary device" inhibiting his hearing. This statement was received as threat of a relocation event by 05 command, who subsequently overruled Professor Wurst's command for D-1210 to refuse to remove the earmuffs and threatened D-1210 with termination should he refuse to unequip them. Subject removed his earmuffs and SCP-4269 continued talking to him, with D-1210 expiring at the end of the conversation in the same manner as those who met the same fate prior.	SCP-4269 found to understand the nature of devices which inhibit hearing and be able to identify their presence, even when it cannot physically see them. The fact that subject only instructed D-1210 to remove the earplugs after 96 seconds suggests that the first part of the conversation is an introduction of sorts, which matches with the findings on Page 1 of SCP-4269-2. Professor Wurst actively disputes with Foundation personnel regarding their methods, expressing extreme distaste.
1.3*	D-1041 was sent into containment. Subject is completely deaf and was instructed by Professor Wurst to sit through SCP-4269s monologue.	D-1041 sat through the entire monologue and remained in perfect health, even after the exchange had concluded and SCP-4269 had entered a sleep cycle.	This test was conducted three times with three different deaf D class personnel. The first test, as documented here, was a complete success. The second test resulted in Incident-4269-A, the only recorded incident with SCP-4269 thus far. This incident led to the deaths of 1 researcher and the termination of the D class involved, but it was found that SCP-4269 shall threaten to relocate immediately if a conversation is ended prematurely. Safety measures have since been revised to take this into account. Following the third test, the subject passed away in typical fashion after being told to attempt to lipread SCP-4269. Thus, it was concluded that SCP-4269 cannot communicate with those who are deaf unless they choose to read its lips for large amounts of the conversation. All those monitoring SCP-4269 are to be told not to look to attempt to lipread the subject as a matter of life or death, although occasionally glancing at its lips in order to see if it is speaking is fine. This factor is to be seen as more of an inconvenience to monitoring staff than a threat.
1.4	Subject D-2037, born deaf and left blind after a failed murder attempt, was sent into SCP-4269's containment facility and was instructed by monitoring personnel through a mouthpiece.	D-2037 sat through the encounter until it ended, with SCP-4269 entering a sleep cycle as per usual.	Following this encounter, it was noted that the subject of interest enters a sleep cycle after every exchange, without fail. These sleep cycles always last exactly 4 hours. This test also concluded that SCP-4269 presents absolutely no threat to those born deaf and blind, rendering them as a 100% effective containment measure.

* Incident-4269-A occurred during the second of these three testing sessions, resulting in the deaths of one Researcher and one D-class personnel.

Following test 1.4, further experiments were discontinued due to a reliable containment procedure having been established.

Addendum-4269-05: Incident-4269-A

Addendum-4269-05: Incident-4269-A

During the second instance of Test 1.3, a near containment breach occurred. Measures have since been taken to prevent a recurrence (See Revision 1.1 within 'Special Containment Procedures').

A complete translated audio log of the file can be found below.

Incident-4269-A: Sound Log Transcript
The following was recorded on the research teams side of the soundproof glass. Neither SCP-4269 nor D-2871 can be heard, making this translated file safe to read.
Subject: SCP-4269

Team Lead: Professor Wurst

Team Members: Researcher Beaufort, Researcher Davies and Researcher Williams are present assisting Professor Wurst. Two armed guards are also situated on the premises to prevent a containment breach.

---

[BEGIN LOG]

Professor Wurst: This is the the second repetition of test 1.3. The subject of interest is SCP-4269, and the test it as follows. D-2871 shall be sent into SCP-4269's containment chamber and shall sit through a conversation with it. Subject is to attempt to lipread minor parts of the conversation and not show any signs of disinterest. The test shall commence now. Researcher Daniels, please open the door. D-2871, please step inside the containment chamber, best of luck.

[A door can be heard opening, followed by footsteps and the same door being closed. Roughly 60 seconds pass.]

Researcher Beaufort: D-2871 is speaking to the subject. Why would he be doing that? Nobody's ever talked back to SCP-4269 before. And what's with those hand motions?

Professor Wurst: D-2871 began speaking roughly 70 seconds into the encounter, seemingly interrupting SCP-4269. Subject shows no signs of anger, though. It has tilted its head sideways and seems to be observing D-2871 intently, who is making an array of gestures while looking at it.

[Roughly two minutes elapse]

Wurst: Wait! Stop him! The bastard is trying to teach that thing some form of sign language!

[The sound of doors opening can be heard and gunfire follows. It is at this point that D-2871 is terminated. Surveillance installed in the room shows that the two armed guards and Professor Wurst attempt to leave the room, but SCP-4269 stands up, leaving its chair. Due to the door of the containment facility being left ajar, the recording device within picks up the following:]

SCP-4269: Why would you interrupt our humble conversation? I was most intrigued and felt that, after so long here, I was finally learning something. If those of you within this facility don't appreciate what I have to say, pray do tell. I possess this glorious knowledge and it is my burden to share it with those who need it most. Now, will one of you three [Points to the two armed guards and the Professor] hear me out, or do I have to look elsewhere for worthier counterparts?

Guard 1: Professor, what do we do? I'd rather [unintelligible] this bastard than risk a breach.

Wurst: We don't know what this thing is capable of; as [unintelligible] as it seems. Failing to terminate it is a risk we cannot take; leave me here. Lock [unintelligible] request assistance. We are not the Global [unintelligible] - there is always another way.

Guard 2: Yes sir.

[Sound of the door closing can be heard, and the guards can be heard discussing the next course of action with the research team. Their voices are louder now, clearly being back in the monitoring room alongside the research team minus Professor Wurst. The surveillance footage from the containment room supports this, showing Professor Wurst sitting in the third chair at the table with D-2871's corpse and SCP-4269 taking up the other two.]

Researcher Davies: Hello, this is Researcher Davies. Professor Wurst has been locked in containment with SCP-4269 so as to prevent a relocation situation.This situation was brought on following an altercation in which a D-class attempted teaching SCP-4269 sign language, which it could have possibly utilised to become a larger threat.
Wait, Beaufort, wasn't D-2871 brought to partake in this test because he was deaf and blind?

Researcher Beaufort: That is correct.

Researcher Davies: So how would he know sign language?
[The sound of a phone vibrating can be heard]
Regardless, assistance is on the way, but until then I shall be documenting the Professor's encounter with this anomaly. The first thing to note is that he is sitting in the infamous third chair. I'm not sure whether this is because the usual chair opposite SCP-4269 is currently occupied by the corpse of D-2871, or whether SCP-4269 perceives the professor as different in some way.

[Roughly 40 seconds elapse.]

Researcher Davies: The professor was clearly speaking back to SCP-4269 at the start of their encounter, but has now gone completely silent and displays a look of intense interest in what the subject it saying. He is now looking up at the ceiling of the room.

//[Another minute passes.]

[gasps] The Professor has slumped over in the same manner recorded in previous victims; he is dead.

[Another 20 seconds of silence pass. Murmuring can be heard in the background.]

Researcher Davies: SCP-4269 is exhibiting clear signs of stress due to the demise of its confidant. It remains sitting, yet has curled into the fetal position and is visibly crying. This is typically followed by a sleep cycle lasting four hours. I will update this log should anything unexpected happen, but unless stated otherwise the threat should be considered subdued and experiment considered completed.

[No further incidents were reported and the corpses of both D-2871 and Professor Wurst were recovered without issue. An extensive autopsy was carried out on D-2871 and a large amount of ████████████ , known for its ████████████████████████ properties was found to be present within his bloodstream. The body was subsequently disposed of through undocumented means.

[END LOG]

Following the completion of testing, Researcher Davies is documented as having requested permission to perform further testing on SCP-4269 in an attempt to figure out why the Professor had been able to sit in the coveted "third seat”. Davies also requested permission to run a number of additional tests.
Each of these requests were directly declined by 05 command, with them stating that "The threat had already been contained and no further excursions were necessary". Researcher Davies has since been moved to work on another project offsite.