Per 
SCP-XXXX-1.
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX-1 is to be stored in a standard item locker at Site-182. SCP-XXXX-1 testing is permitted for personnel with Level 2 Clearance or higher. In the event that SCP-XXXX-2 manifests, the subject who summoned it is to be kept out of harm's way to prevent unnecessary damage to Foundation property or personnel.
Description: SCP-XXXX-1 is a small box constructed out of worn ironwood. The object's exterior dimensions measure 12.5 centimeters by 12.5 centimeters by 5 centimeters. SCP-XXXX-1 is ordinary in every way save for the anomalous ability to instantaneously summon an entity (henceforth called "SCP-XXXX-2") when opened by a human subject under 16 years of age.
SCP-XXXX-2 is a faceless humanoid entity of variable height and color. Its height has been measured to be as low as 2.5 meters and as high as 10.5 meters. The color of SCP-XXXX-2 changes based on the "favorite color" of the subject who opens it; if the subject does not have a definitive "favorite color," SCP-XXXX-2 will default to being a blackened shade. SCP-XXXX-2 is a docile entity and has never been seen to attack unprovoked. SCP-XXXX-2's demeanor changes quickly, however, when the subject who opened SCP-XXXX-1 is threatened or put in harm's way. SCP-XXXX-2 will attempt to neutralize the source of the danger to prevent any harm from coming to the subject; this may come in the form of stopping projectiles, neutralizing threatening people, or physically picking up the subject and moving them as necessary.1
SCP-XXXX-2 does not require a verbal que from the subject to demanifest and will instead disappear once the subject wishes for it to do so. This que is not always explicit, and may sometimes be the result of the subject feeling at ease at the termination of a threat. Due to this and SCP-XXXX-2's color changing abilities, it is clear the SCP-XXXX-2 is connected to its subject at a mental level, being able to "read" the desires of the summoner.
Recovery: SCP-XXXX-1 was recovered on ██/██/2019 from 15 year old Timothy Yetts following the several reports of the gruesome death and mutilation of 17 year old Hayden Williamson behind ██████ High School in ████████, Maryland. Witnesses of the event claimed to see Timothy and Hunter behind the high school, having what appeared to be an argument. Then, a "tall black monster"2 appeared and lunged at Hunter, knocking him to the ground. The creature then supposedly pounded on Hunter's body repeatedly for a few seconds before disappearing.
After a quick interrogation of Timothy by the ████████ Police, no useful information could be gathered about the events witnessed on ██/██. Timothy's belongings, including SCP-XXXX-1, were taken into police custody as potential evidence. Rudimentary tests carried out by officers yielded no strange properties from Timothy's belongings, so the various police calls all reporting the same scenario were assumed to be a bizarre case of mass psychogenic hallucination or a prank on the behalf of bystanders. Hayden's death was documented as a bear attack.
Three days later, on ██/██/2019, Officer Black took SCP-XXXX-1 home to his daughter against protocol once the case was dropped. Upon granting his daughter SCP-XXXX-1, he called into the police station, claiming that a "demon entered his home."3 Reinforcements arrived at the scene and SCP-XXXX-1's anomalous abilities became apparent. The Foundation was alerted and Field Agents arrived at the scene to confiscate the object. All witnesses were amnesticized and Timothy Yetts and his mother (Katherine Yetts) were detained and brought to Site-622 for interrogation.
Interrogation of Timothy and Katherine Yetts revealed some useful information regarding the origin and previous use of SCP-XXXX-1. Timothy claimed that he got his "magic box" from his father, Robert Yetts, who had, years prior (██/██/2015), died from lung cancer.
When asked about the events on ██/██/2019, Timothy claims full responsibility for the death of Hayden Williamson, stating that he'd been bullied by Hayden for the better part of two years and had finally decided to employ the use of the object.
Timothy was asked to provide more information about his father, and he told researchers about a short letter left to him from his father. The note was later recovered from Timothy's home (Document XXXX-A).
Hey Champ. You make me so proud and I wish we could've spent more time together. Remember how I told you I was making something really sweet? Well, it's for you. When you open it, a friend will be there to protect you at all costs, as it's what I would've done for you. If you ever miss me, just open the box. He'll be there to listen to you. If you ever get in trouble, he'll help you. Also, let's keep this between us. You know how Mom didn't like how much I worked in my shop on these things.
P.S. Don't open this inside. Mom won't be happy.
I love you, Timmy. Stay strong.
-Dad
Interviewed: Katherine Yetts
Interviewer: Researcher Booth
Foreword: Interview was conducted to gain information about Robert Yetts and the creation of SCP-XXXX-1.
<Begin Log, 00:00>
Booth: Hello, Katherine. How are you doing today?
Yetts: Fine, I guess. Sorry, I'm just trying to process everything that's happening.
Booth: I understand fully. This must be a confusing day for you and your son.
Yetts: It certainly is.
Booth: So, Mrs. Yetts, I have some questions for you pertaining to your late husband, Robert.
Yetts: Go ahead.
Booth: Describe him to me. What was he like?
Yetts: Kindest man I'd ever met. He cared so much for me and Timmy. He was a bit of a workaholic, but he always had others in mind.
Booth: Did he have any unusual hobbies?
Yetts: Sure. He loved making stuff in his workshop. He had a little shed out in the backyard where he spent most of the day. He worked constantly. If there's one thing I wish he didn't do, it would be his constant tinkering. I feel like it sometimes drove him mad.
Booth: Can you elaborate?
Yetts: He would spend eight to ten hours in his shed, just working on God knows what. Then he would emerge all tired and red-faced. I didn't often look in his shed, but it seemed like he enjoyed making art out of wood and stuff.
Booth: Was there anything unusual about his art?
Yetts: Not that I can think of. His art was just a thing he did, and he sold it to people online. He didn't have a real job, but he made a surprising amount of money from his sales.
Booth: Interesting. Has he ever made anything for you or your son?
Yetts: Not so much for me. He knew that I didn't like seeing him work so hard. He made stuff for Timmy though. They really had a strong bond before he-
Katherine chokes up before continuing a few seconds later.
Yetts: Before he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Before he had lung cancer, he would make stuff for Timmy all the time. Toys, small sculptures, whatever Timmy wanted.
Booth: Are you aware of a small, dark brown box that Timothy possessed?
Katherine's eyes tear up briefly before she wipes them away.
Yetts: Yeah, that was Robert's final work of art. I can tell he put a lot of work into it. He insisted that his last moments be spend in that stupid, [EXPLETIVE EXPUNGED] shed!
Katherine's voice raises before she breaks down into tears. She cries for a few seconds before composing herself.
Yetts: I loved that man. I just don't understand what was so special about his work that he spent so much time on it. He obviously had his reasons, but they're beyond me.
Booth: Have you ever interacted with the box?
Yetts: I looked at it a little bit, but Timmy is very possessive over it. He always has it near him. I never questioned him because it obviously meant a lot.
Booth: Of course. I understand the sentimental value it must hold for him. Unfortunately, we will be confiscating it indefinitely.
Yetts: I understand. I just don't know how Timmy will react. He's a good sport, but he loves this box so much.
Booth: Timothy has been handling it well. I appreciate your cooperation, Mrs. Yetts.
Yetts: You're welcome.
<End Log, [06:12]>
Closing Statement: It appears that Robert Yetts had been dabbling in the creation of anomalous art before he died of cancer. Whether he had created other anomalies in the past or not is currently unknown.
Timothy and Katherine Yetts were administered Class C amnestics to remove memories of their interactions with SCP-XXXX-1. They were returned to their home in Maryland and kept under careful watch to ensure no further anomalous activity.
Test #: XXXX-1
Subject: James. Male. Age:10
Procedure: Have the subject open SCP-XXXX-1 and have D-15683 threaten him with physical violence. Gauge SCP-XXXX-2's reaction.
Results: Upon opening SCP-XXXX-1, a navy blue, approximately 2.5 meter tall instance manifested. D-15683 was asked to threaten the subject. He said, "I am going to punch you in the face," to the subject. Immediately after the statement, SCP-XXXX-2 lunged at D-15683, knocking out four teeth. D-15683 recoiled and screamed in pain, to which SCP-XXXX-2 reacted by punching D-15863 in the face, killing him.
Analysis: SCP-XXXX-2 appears to react to verbal threats of violence.
FROM THE ETHICS COMMITTEE
We have decided to put a temporary ban on SCP-XXXX testing until we further evaluate the ethical concerns with using juvenile test subjects for the reasons listed below:
- Potential physical danger due to unpredictable testing environment and anomalous entity
- Potential psychological damage that may persist even after amnestic treatment
Further review pending.
After debate and review over the current testing protocols of SCP-XXXX, we have decided to require further testing restrictions to prevent unwanted physical and psychological damage to juvenile test subjects:
- All further test subjects must be evaluated before testing commences to ensure a proper state-of-mind suitable for potentially traumatic test results
- All further test subjects must be permitted to carry with them a "safe object," which they can use for comfort during testing
- All test subjects must be administered Class B amnestic supplements at the conclusion of testing
- All tests must be monitored by 2 armed personnel in the event of a catastrophe
SHOULD NEW TESTING PROTOCOLS BE IMPLEMENTED?
| YAY | NAY | ABSTAIN |
|---|---|---|
| O5-1 | ||
| O5-2 | ||
| O5-3 | ||
| O5-4 | ||
| O5-5 | ||
| O5-6 | ||
| O5-7 | ||
| O5-8 | ||
| O5-9 | ||
| O5-10 | ||
| O5-11 | ||
| O5-12 | ||
| O5-13 |
Test #: XXXX-2
Subject: Tiara. Female. Age:1
Note: Tiara shouldn't be old enough to understand threats and will therefore not react negatively to such.
Procedure: Have the subject open SCP-XXXX-1 and have D-238978 threaten her with physical violence. Gauge SCP-XXXX-2's reaction.
Results: Subject was unable to open SCP-XXXX-2. Indirect methods like having the subject press a button that causes SCP-XXXX-1 to open have been met with failure.
Analysis: The subject must directly open SCP-XXXX-1 for SCP-XXXX-2 to manifest.
Test #: XXXX-3
Subject: Joshua. Male. Age:7
Procedure: Have the subject open SCP-XXXX-1 and have D-238978 attempt to damage SCP-XXXX-2. Gauge SCP-XXXX-2's reaction.
Results: Upon opening SCP-XXXX-1, a lime green, approximately 4 meter tall instance manifested. D-238978 was instructed to punch SCP-XXXX-2 at full force. D-238978 complied after hesitation; he punched SCP-XXXX-2 and backed away. SCP-XXXX-2 did not react in any notable way. D-238978 was then given an AMP AutoMag III pistol and was instructed to shoot SCP-XXXX-2.4 Upon loading the pistol, the subject expressed fear toward the firearm. Upon vocalizing discomfort, SCP-XXXX-2 grabbed D-238978 by the neck and crushed his trachea, killing him through asphyxiation.
Analysis: It is unclear if SCP-XXXX-2 violently reacted because it perceived the firearm as a threat or if it responded to the subject's fear. Further tests required.
Test #: XXXX-4
Subject: Amber. Female. Age:7
Note: Per the Ethic Committee's restrictions, the subject was permitted to consume "gummy worms" during the test in an attempt to reduce stress.
Procedure: Have the subject open SCP-XXXX-1 and attempt to communicate with SCP-XXXX-2. Gauge SCP-XXXX-2's reaction.
Results: Upon opening SCP-XXXX-1, a black, approximately 3 meter tall instance manifested. The subject, startled by SCP-XXXX-2's sudden appearance, started to choke on her "gummy worms." Personnel were dispatched to assist the subject, but before anyone could enter the testing chamber, SCP-XXXX-2 bent down and patted the subject on the back, swiftly dislodging the candy. After this incident, the subject refused to continue with the test and, to prevent a negative reaction from SCP-XXXX-2, the test was aborted.
Analysis: SCP-XXXX-2 appears to be capable of assisting subjects in more specific dangerous situations, like choking on food. Testing to elaborate on SCP-XXXX-2's abilities is pending.
Addendum XXXX-A: Subjects are no longer permitted to use foodstuffs as a "comfort object" during testing.
Test #: XXXX-5
Subject: Grace. Female. Age:8
Procedure: Have the subject open SCP-XXXX-1 and attempt to communicate with SCP-XXXX-2. Gauge SCP-XXXX-2's reaction.
Results: Upon opening SCP-XXXX-1, a magenta, approximately 6 meter tall instance manifested. The subject was given a list of questions to ask SCP-XXXX-2. Questions asked include:
- "What is your name?"
- "Where did you come from?"
- "How old are you?"
- "What's it like inside of the box?"
All questions asked were met with silence from SCP-XXXX-2.
Analysis: SCP-XXXX-2 does not appear to have the ability to speak, which would make sense due to its lack of facial features.
Note: Hey, it was worth a shot. -Researcher Cruz
Test #: XXXX-6
Subject: Christopher. Male. Age:15
Note: This subject was chosen for this particular test because he was scheduled to turn 16 during it.
Procedure: Have the subject open SCP-XXXX-1 and wait until he turns 16 years of age. Gauge SCP-XXXX-2's reaction.
Results: Upon opening SCP-XXXX-1, a black, approximately 5.5 meter tall instance manifested. The subject was told to attempt to interact with SCP-XXXX-2 while waiting for his scheduled birthday. The subject ended up asking the instance trivial questions, none of which received a response. At 1 hour, 15 minutes, and 32 seconds into the test, the subject expressed extreme boredom, to which SCP-XXXX-2 reacted by picking the subject up and tossing him into the air before catching him again. Due to potential safety concerns, the subject was asked to request to SCP-XXXX-2 that he be put back onto the floor; the subject did so, to which the instance responded by placing the subject back onto the floor of the chamber.
After 2 hours, 43 minutes, and 56 seconds into the test, SCP-XXXX-2 bent down and wrapped its arms around the subject in a hug-like gesture. Then, a masculine voice stated from an unknown location, "They grow up so fast," before promptly demanifesting. SCP-XXXX-2 would no longer manifest when the subject opened SCP-XXXX-1.
Analysis: This is the first recorded instance of SCP-XXXX-2 vocalizing. The audio recording of the statement made by SCP-XXXX-2 was shown to Katherine Yetts; she started to tear up, stating that the voice had a strong resemblance to Robert Yetts's.
Test #:
Subject:
Procedure:
Results:
Analysis:
SCP-XXXX.
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is currently being stored in a standard item locker at Site-505. Testing with SCP-XXXX is permitted for Researchers with Level 2 Clearance or higher. William Garrison and his transactions, digital and physical, are to be monitored for any evidence of further purchases of anomalous items or contact with people associated with "Are We Cool Yet?"
Description: SCP-XXXX is a blue ceramic flower vase standing at 30.8 centimeters in height. It has a slight memetic effect on human subjects within a 40 meter radius of the object. SCP-XXXX subtly persuades subjects into purchasing furniture through subconscious behavior alterations. Such alterations include:
- perceiving furniture as more aesthetically pleasing than would otherwise be perceived
- perceiving furniture as a better deal than would otherwise be perceived
- perceiving cushions as more comfortable than would otherwise be perceived
These psychological alterations are subtle enough to be undetectable by affected subjects without prior knowledge of the anomaly, allowing SCP-XXXX to persuade subjects into purchasing furniture they might have otherwise decided against.
On the underside of SCP-XXXX's base are the letters "AWCY" inscribed into the ceramic.
Recovery: SCP-XXXX was recovered from the now (as of ██/██/2020) decommissioned Art Van Furniture Store located on ████████ Street, █████ County in █████████, Minnesota. SCP-XXXX was accidentally discovered by Researcher Booth on ██/██/2020 when he was shopping for furniture for Site-465’s newly renovated personnel break room. After accidentally bumping into a table, SCP-XXXX was knocked onto the floor, where Researcher Booth noticed the letters "AWCY" on the underside of the object. Suspecting a potential link to the GoI "Are We Cool Yet?," he called for backup and confiscated the object. The owner of the establishment, Hunter Fergusson, was detained and all witnessed were amnesticized. The establishment was later closed (██/██/2020).
Hunter Fergusson's house and personal devices were searched for a potential link to "Are We Cool Yet?" or SCP-XXXX. Online chatrooms were discovered between Hunter (hfergusson) and an unknown subject (wingedfighter420) pertaining to the commission and creation of SCP-XXXX. Note: All grammatical errors have been preserved for the sake of accuracy.
hfergusson: hello?
wingedfighter420: heyyy!! are you hunter?
hfergusson: yes that's me
hfergusson: did tony tell you what I wanted
(No "Tony" could be tracked down after the discovery of SCP-XXXX.)
wingedfighter420: ye he did. should be easy to do
wingedfighter420: ive made weirder
hfergusson: how much will it cost?
wingedfighter420: 5000 dollars but we can negotiate
hfergusson: if it works ill pay anything
wingedfighter420: what color do you want
hfergusson: doesnt matter to me
hfergusson: blue i guess
wingedfighter420: whatever you want dude
hfergusson: blue is good
hfergusson: im curious. how do you make these weird things?
wingedfighter420: trade secret ;)
hfergusson: it just doesnt make sense
wingedfighter420: if it made sense it wou;d be boring
wingedfighter420: would
hfergusson: yeah i guess but it just boggles my mind
hfergusson: when do you think itll be done
wingedfighter420: in a month or 2. these things take time
hfergusson: of course. regular art takes time, whatever you make would probs take longer
wingedfighter420: what you ordered is simple so i can do it in a faster than usual amount of time
wingedfighter420: i have to warn you, you should keep this thing away from the hands of your customers
wingedfighter420: there are like 10 jackoff organizations i can think of who would wwant to take this thing from you
hfergusson: who?
wingedfighter420: one is called the scp foundation and they like to take all my shit whenever they can find it
wingedfighter420: they dont appreciate my hard work
(It is unclear how "wingedfighter420" knows about the Foundation, but efforts to locate them are a high priority, as this information getting leaked poses a threat to secrecy.)
hfergusson: well thanks a ton for your work
hfergusson: i hope it will work like you said
wingedfighter420: i promise
An active SCP-XXXX-1 instance. Still frame taken from body cam footage from Recovery Mission XXXX-B.
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX's perimeter is to be guarded by one two-hundred (100 200) armed personnel at all times. Any civilians that trespass within a two-hundred (200) meter radius of SCP-XXXX's perimeter are to be amnesticized and relocated in a neighboring city. Air traffic is to be re-directed so as to avoid civilian visibility of SCP-XXXX and its anomalous entities. During the Awakening Period, all personnel must evacuate SCP-XXXX's interior except for Mobile Task Force Mahogany Birch Maple, who are tasked with documenting and controlling SCP-XXXX-1 instances. Mobile Task Force Operatives will be armed with chainsaws of Foundation manufacture to use in the case of an SCP-XXXX-1 attack. Personnel are not to attack SCP-XXXX-1 instances at any time unless the scenario necessitates action, as to avoid unnecessary agitation. All satellite images of SCP-XXXX are to be redacted and removed from public access.
Updated Procedures: Any foreign non-anomalous road signs inside of SCP-XXXX are be reported to Project Lead Chalmers immediately for incineration. The SCP-XXXX-1 population is to be kept under one-hundred (100) at all times. Any additional instances are to be incinerated. Instances attempting to escape SCP-XXXX are to be immediately neutralized with the provided miniature explosives.
Description: SCP-XXXX is roughly 96.8 square kilometers of land encompassing the entire small town of ████████, Michigan. SCP-XXXX's anomalous properties manifest each night at exactly 10:24 P.M between March 8th and October 31st or 9:24 between November 1st and March 7th5 and continues for exactly 6 hours. This period of time is considered the "Awakening Period," and is characterized by approximately 70 90 road and traffic signs gaining mobility and extreme hostility. Henceforth labeled SCP-XXXX-1, these signs manifest additional steel posts into "limbs" which they use for locomotion. They appear to emanate from the geometric center point of the backside of the instance's main body at a rapid pace. Once considered "fully grown6", the SCP-XXXX-1 instance begins moving on its own accord and attacks all lifeforms around it, including other SCP-XXXX-1 instances. (See Addendum XXXX-A.) Upon the end of the Awakening Period, all SCP-XXXX-1 instances cease movement and all additional steel posts demanifest.
Dormant SCP-XXXX-1 instances are indistinguishable from non-anomalous signs save for an anomalous symbol inscribed on each instance's surface, which has been proven to provide them with their anomalous abilities. SCP-XXXX-1 instances are unusually durable considering their steel composition7. This makes incineration of dormant instances time and resource costly. SCP-XXXX-1 instances do not display any complex intelligence. (See Addendum XXXX-C). Once a sign with the anomalous symbol enters SCP-XXXX, it can "awaken" at any location, not just within SCP-XXXX's borders.
SCP-XXXX-1 instances look and move similar to spiders or other multi-legged insects or bugs. SCP-XXXX-1 instances react to external stimuli despite lacking any sensory organs to speak of. The Foundation has been successful in creating SCP-XXXX-1 instances by carving the insignia into various types of signs and placing them inside SCP-XXXX's borders, but carving the insignia into other objects has been proven to have no effect8. They have been seen to move at speeds up to 45 kilometers per hour. Bullets have been proven to be ineffective at damaging SCP-XXXX-1 instances. Currently, the only known way of destroying SCP-XXXX-1 instances is to cut their main sign into pieces, each of which must be smaller than about 50% of its original area. Upon doing so, SCP-XXXX-1 instances cease all anomalous activity. SCP-XXXX-1 instances are highly territorial and will attack any living organisms nearby. They do so by slashing enemies with their steel legs, effectively killing them by blood loss. It is unclear if SCP-XXXX-1 instances can feel pain, but it is apparent that they have basic survival instincts. SCP-XXXX-1 instances will remain anomalous even after all steel posts have been removed; it will simply manifest new posts at the beginning of a new Awakening Period.
Recovery: Between ██/██/2004 and ██/██/2004, the police of ████████ received multiple reports concerning the death and mutilation of citizens within a short period of time. When questioned, citizen Garrison █████ claimed to have seen what he described as "huge spiders" when taking a walk one night. This, coupled with reports of road signs supposedly changing locations on a regular basis, Field Agent Susan ██████ reported to ████████. She noted nothing out of the ordinary during the day, but requested backup at ██:██ P.M. SCP-XXXX's anomalous nature was revealed and SCP-XXXX gained anomalous classification. All citizens were evacuated from SCP-XXXX. The Foundation fabricated the story that the nuclear power plant in ███ ██████, a neighboring city, was leaking radioactive particles at a dangerous rate. All citizens were immediately evacuated and later amnesticized. All █152 citizens were offered new homes in neighboring cities.
Incident XXXX-A: On ██/██/2006, Mobile Task Force Mahogany lost contact with Mission Control at ██:██ P.M. Mobile Task Force Birch attempted to recover all members from Mahogany, only to find six (6) of the seven (7) members covered in blood, lying in SCP-XXXX at ███████ ████. They were covered in lacerations and were deduced to have died of blood loss. One (1) member was not found at the scene. On a later date (██/██/2006), the missing member was found dismembered and "minced" by MTF Leader Lehmen surrounded by four (4) dormant SCP-XXXX-1 instances. Mobile Task Force Birch has assumed the duty of monitoring SCP-XXXX.
MTF Leader Lehmen requesting more protective equipment, more armed members of her squad, and camera and audio recording on every member's outfits. Request granted.
Incident XXXX-B: On ██/██/2010 at 1:55 A.M., four (4) out of ten (10) members of Mobile Task Force Birch abruptly disconnected from their radio headsets and video recorders. The remaining squad attempted to locate the lost members.
Recovery Mission XXXX-B
Date: ██/██/2010
Mobile Task Force: MTF Xi-1 ("Birch")
MTF Leader: Isabelle Lehmen ("X1-Cap")
Team Members: X1-Cap, X1-2, X1-3, X1-4, X1-5, X1-6
[BEGIN LOG]
X1-Cap: Equipment check, everyone. Make sure this event is recorded.
X1-4: All good!
X1-Cap: Alright. Let's head out. Or… in, I suppose.
MTF Xi-1 Follows the last received location from X1-8's tracking device. All other signals have been cut.
X1-3: I knew we shouldn't have split up. Something bad was bound to happen.
X1-Cap: Now's not the time for "I-Told-You-So's," Three. We need to locate-
X1-Cap cuts herself off as a distant banging noise is picked up on the microphone.
X1-6: Did you all hear that?
X1-Cap: Affirmative. Let's continue ahead.
The group continues to travel ahead into a deserted residential area.
[EXTRANEOUS DIALOGUE EXPUNGED]
X1-Cap: We should be there shortly. The signal is just about-
X1-2: Captain!
Ahead of the group is an SCP-XXXX-1 instance taking the form of a stop sign. A faint sound of scraping metal can be heard emanating from the instance as it walks.
X1-Cap: Everyone, quiet down.
The instance aimlessly walks along the road about fifty (50) meters ahead of the group. It suddenly turns to face the squad members.
X1-5: [EXPLETIVE EXPUNGED].
The instance begins to run toward the group on eight (8) steel posts. It is moving at an estimated 40 kilometers per hour.
X1-Cap: Everyone, retreat!
The groups begins to run away from the instance, but it quickly catches up with them. It slashes at X1-Cap with one of its metal legs and manages to cut open her shoulder before being fended off with a chainsaw. The instance retreats back into the trees.
X1-2: Captain! Are you alright?
X1-Cap: Holy [EXPLETIVE EXPUNGED]. Those things are surprisingly strong. Good thing these chainsaws-
Loud banging is one again heard emanating from the distance. A group of about five (5) instances all approach rapidly.
Note: This is the first recorded occasion of SCP-XXXX-1 instances travelling as a group.
X1-Cap: Go, go!
The groups begins to retreat farther back toward SCP-XXXX's border.
X1-6: Captain what should- oh God!
The group's cameras and microphones all begin to cut out in sequence as screams can be heard in the background.
[END LOG]
After the Awakening Period, the entirety of Mobile Task Force Birch was found in a run-down warehouse on ████ ████████ Street. Each member was found covered in lacerations and dried blood, having expired from blood loss.
Mobile Task Force Maple has assumed the duty of patrolling SCP-XXXX.
Addendum XXXX-A: Due to the discovery of altered behavior in SCP-XXXX-1 instances (more specifically the new groups that instances appear to travel in), it is hypothesized that SCP-XXXX-1 instances might be aware of the benefits of pack-travelling. If this is true, then SCP-XXXX-1 instances may display more complex intelligence than first assumed. Research to confirm this hypothesis will continue into the future.
Addendum XXXX-B: Research to determine the origin of SCP-XXXX's anomalous properties has been conducted by the SCP-XXXX Research Team, and various documents have been retrieved from locations such as the ████████ Public Library and Town Hall. Using newspaper clippings, data tables, and official police reports, a rudimentary timeline of events has been constructed:
| Approximate Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Before 1997 | SCP-XXXX, known as ████████, is entirely non-anomalous and has never had any accounts of unusual or paranormal entities or events. |
| ██/██/1997 | A front page headline on the local newspaper reads, "CULT ACTION IN ████████? SHOCKING POLICE FINDINGS SAY YES!" A detailed report by journalist Nancy ████ accounts findings of slaughtered cattle and "demonic looking symbols" drawn on the floor of an abandoned warehouse on ████████ Street. This marks the first instance of potential anomalous activity. |
| ██/██/1999 | A police report from the ████████ Police Station accounts the first reported case of homicide in ████████ since 1982. ██-year-old Garrison Richards was found covered in deep epidermal incisions on his facial and abdominal regions. While no direct link to it was reported, the incident was rumored to have been the actions of the local cult. |
| ██/██/1999 | A newspaper headline the following day reads, "████████ GHOULS MAKE A COMEBACK. MAN FOUND DEAD IN WAREHOUSE WITH DEMONIC SYMBOLS ON BODY." This newspaper gives the local cult a name and notoriety in the community according to personal journal entries found in a resident's former house. |
| ██/██/2001 | After nearly two years of silence from the group, police reports account the kidnapping and murder of twelve (12) year-old Timothy Vanderburg. He was reported missing on ██/██/2001 and was found in the same abandoned warehouse that "demonic symbols" were reported in years earlier. His body was covered in lacerations similar to Garrison Richards' corpse in 1999. |
| ██/██/2002 | Documents recovered from the Michigan Department of Transportation detail the replacement of █7 traffic signs within ████████. Documentation accounting when and where the old signs were taken has not been found, so the action is assumed to be the work of the cult. |
| ██/██/2004 | Data tables held in the ████████ Town Hall show a spike in traffic accidents after ██/██/2004. This, coupled with a large increase in missing persons cases, is evidence for the first manifestations of SCP-XXXX-1 instances. ██/██/2004 acts as the assumed date that SCP-XXXX became anomalous. |
| ██/██/2004 | The Foundation contains SCP-XXXX and all citizens are amnesticized and relocated. |
Incident XXXX-C: On ██/██/2015, after approximately four (4) years of containment without incident, a group of approximately fifteen (15) SCP-XXXX-1 instances attacked personnel at SCP-XXXX's border, attempting to escape. After killing ten (10) personnel and injuring five (5), the instances managed to escape SCP-XXXX. They disappeared and a search team of one-hundred (100) personnel attempted to search for the instances. No instances were spotted until ██:██ P.M., when the group was found making its way back toward SCP-XXXX. After the deployment of small explosives, the instances were neutralized. It was found that the SCP-XXXX-1 instances had dug road signs out of the neighboring city, ██████████, located about █ miles south of SCP-XXXX, and were attempting to bring them into SCP-XXXX's borders.
After researching SCP-XXXX and its entities for the better part of four years, it has become abundantly clear that, through the events on ██/██ and past incidents, SCP-XXXX-1 instances are smarter than we originally thought. They seem to know what makes them anomalous and they know how to make more of themselves. Our research team, with data from Mobile Task Force Maple, have discovered that the SCP-XXXX-1 population seems to have started increasing as of 2009 and I hypothesize that these instances took non-anomalous road signs and made them anomalous by carving that weird symbol onto their surfaces. We still do not know why road signs possess the ability to harbor anomalous activity, but what is clear is that if given the opportunity, SCP-XXXX-1 instances will convert more and more road signs into themselves by bringing them into SCP-XXXX's borders and carving the symbol into them.
I am requesting that SCP-XXXX be guarded with twice as many armed personnel and that they be armed with miniature explosives to neutralize any instances attempting to escape.
Per your request, SCP-XXXX will now be guarded with two-hundred armed personnel and small explosives will be available upon necessity. Any instances attempting to escape SCP-XXXX's borders will be immediately neutralized. If these things are as smart as you postulate, they will learn to follow our rules.
Best,
David Chalmers
Addendum XXXX-C: On ██/██/2017, Angus Cundall turned himself into the ███ ██████ Police Station and confessed participation in the "████████ Ghouls" cult. Upon hearing this confession, Angus was promptly delivered to Site-███ for interrogation in hopes of revealing the motives of the group and the possible mechanism behind which SCP-XXXX operates.
Interviewed: Angus Cundall
Interviewer: Researcher Booth
Foreword: Interview was conducted in an attempt to uncover the motives of the ████████ Ghouls and the mechanism behind which SCP-XXXX operates.
<Begin Log, 00:00>
Researcher Booth: Hello, Angus. I am here today to ask you a few questions regarding the ████████ Ghouls and its internal workings. Non-cooperation will result in your termination. Is that clear?
Angus: Yes sir.
Researcher Booth: Good. Please, tell me who would be considered the leader of the cult.
Angus: His name was Michael. He was a real weirdo. Didn't have any family that I am aware of. Or any friends, for that matter.
Researcher Booth: What was his full name?
Angus: I couldn't tell you even if I wanted to. That man was shrouded in mystery. I have no idea where he came from, how old he was, nothing. All I know is that he was sort of a maniac.
Researcher Booth: Can you elaborate?
Angus: He was sort off of his rocker, you know? Wasn't fully there. He would ramble to himself and wouldn't stop reading from that damn book of his.
Researcher Booth: What book are you referring to?
Angus: He has, like, this thick leather-bound book that he called his "magic book." Yeah, I told you he was weird. But after what I've seen, maybe he wasn't so insane after all.
Researcher Booth: What did the cult do on a regular basis?
Angus: To tell you the truth, we didn't meet all that often. Maybe like once a month? But when we did, we usually talked about what our next course of action was. Michael would read from his magic book and we'd all just let him talk and talk. Sometimes, we would do what Michael told us to do. You know, draw on the floor with chalk, kill cows, and k-
Angus trails off and appears uneasy.
Researcher Booth: Please continue.
Angus: I swear I didn't want to, man. I didn't want to kill those people, but Michael forced us to. He said that our plan wouldn't work if we didn't do it. God, I can still hear that boy's screams. I can't. I can't-
Angus becomes hysterical and begins to sob.
Researcher Booth: Angus, if you need to take a break, we can recess for five minutes while you collect yourself.
After a few seconds, Angus composes himself.
Angus: I'm sorry. I can continue.
Researcher Booth: Then please.
Angus: So we killed some innocent people. I didn't want to, I swear, but Michael was so scary. He had that look in his eyes. Honestly, looking back, I cannot believe that I ever did what that guy said. I'm not a bad guy, I swear.
Researcher Booth: Angus, what was the final goal of the cult?
Angus: At the time, I didn't know. Michael wouldn't let any of us read his book. We just did whatever he said.
Researcher Booth: Why would you listen to Michael?
Angus: I wasn't in a good spot. My life was a huge mess. I needed a direction and Michael offered me a purpose. A "purposeful existence" as he would constantly remind us. We didn't know what that purpose was, but Michael seemed like he had it all figured out.
Researcher Booth: Please tell me, why did you turn road signs into anomalous creatures?
Angus: What creatures?
Researcher Booth: Sorry. Why did you turn road signs into those spider-looking creatures?
Angus: Oh, my bad. My vocabulary isn't so good. So, like I said, we never saw into that big book of his, but he would talk about how the signs were "perfect vessels" or something. I didn't get it, but sure enough, we carved a shape into the signs and they started to walk around! It was freaky, but kind of cool. Sorry, am I allowed to say that?
Researcher Booth: Just be truthful, Angus.
Angus: Okay. So yeah, these road signs would turn into spiders at a certain time each night. Weird, but also cool. But they acted in a way that wasn't so cool. These things were dangerous. They would kill on sight. We had to stay hidden in our warehouse meeting place during the night so we wouldn't get eaten or whatever those things did to the people they caught. We turned about sixty or so of those things into spiders before something happened to Michael. He just disappeared one day. He took his book with him I think. I don't know where he went. Maybe those monsters got him. The other people in the cult were spouting some nonsense about how he found his "divinity" or something. They were all completely brainwashed. I was too, I guess. But yeah, I fled town. I had to get away from that place. After Michael vanished, I sort of came to my senses. I ran away to ███ ██████ to start fresh, but the guilt was too much.
Researcher Booth: Do you have any information about the potential whereabouts of Michael?
Angus: Sorry, sir. He just disappeared. Probably for the best. That man was dangerous with that book of his.
Researcher Booth: Thank you, Angus. That will be all.
Angus: No problem.
<End Log, 07:57>
Closing Statement: Unfortunately, no information about the whereabouts of "Michael" or the book he used could be gathered.
After the interview, Angus Cundall was amnesticized and returned to his home in ███ ██████. The Foundation will continue to monitor Angus into the future. After the interview, Angus gave Researcher Booth the names of other former cult members, but all former members have already been amnesticized to the point of them being unable to recall what they did during their time as a cult member.
From the SCP-XXXX Research Team:
After Angus Cundall mentioned a man by the name of "Michael," we did research to determine who this man is/was. Unfortunately, records containing any information about "Michael" have been inconclusive. "Michael," quite possibly, might've been an anomalous entity himself, but we can't say for sure. As for that book Angus said he was always reading from, we can't say for sure what it contained or why road signs can house such an anomalous ability within SCP-XXXX's borders. We have many questions, most of which have gone unanswered. We will continue our research into the future, but let SCP-XXXX and the entities within its borders stand as a reminder of the inexplicable nature of anomalies.
