OrcishAnomaly

SCP-XXXX, Giardiasis Duodenalis Timor

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: Foundation staff should monitor the communications of various medical organizations for outbreaks of Giardiasis or mass hysteria. Upon discovery of a Giardiasis or mass hysteria outbreak, foundation personnel will be deployed to quarantine the affected area and observe for a SCP-XXXX outbreak. If the area is determined to be affected by SCP-XXXX, the residents in the quarantined area should be evacuated to the nearest foundation site for further observation. Additionally, samples of food and water are to be collected for further research on SCP-XXXX. Lastly, any sources of water suspected as a vector for transmission should be destroyed, along with the village and any food sources that may be contaminated.

Description: SCP-XXXX is an anomalous subspecies of the parasite known as Giardia Duodenalis. Transmission occurs when a potential host comes into contact with a contaminated food or water source. SCP-XXXX feeds on the host's fear synapses by actively triggering the fear synapses of the hosts brain. Once a host is infected by SCP-XXXX, the host goes through several stages¹ before the parasite fully assimilates to the body of its host:

• Stage 1: The host exhibits symptoms consistent with an average case of Giardiasis².

• Stage 2: Muscle spasms and moderate to severe pain throughout the body.

• Stage 3: Mild to moderate auditory, visual, olfactory, gustatory, and tactile hallucinations.

• Stage 4: SCP-XXXX assumes control of the host's perception of reality.

All known anti-parasitic medicines are ineffective at treating the SCP-XXXX infection. Furthermore, all attempts to surgically remove SCP-XXXX have resulted in the brain death of the host.

Hosts that survive the SCP-XXXX infection regain control of their perception of reality. Furthermore, surviving hosts find that they no longer have the phobia that SCP-XXXX exploited. Surviving host also display the anomalous ability to control what used to fear them. As such, surviving host will be given the designation SCP-XXXX-01 and kept in a standard humanoid containment cell for observation.

Addendum XXXX.1: The following journal was recovered by a stream one kilometer north of a remote village in the Dodoma region of Tanzania by local resident:

+ Open

02/09/1995

Today is an exciting day! I found out that after many years, the missionaries who used to preach and help the village will be returning soon. I have been hard at work spreading the good word and dedicating myself to the Lord. I cannot wait to show the missionary all I have done to help keep his work alive in our village.

There has been some kind of sickness going through the village. I hope this does not stop the missionaries from coming to see us.

04/09/1995

I went to go see the herbalist today, and unfortunately there was nothing on hand that she could give me for my stomach troubles. I'm going to have to try and visit with the other villages today to see if they can help me out when my stomach gives me a break.

09/09/1995

My body is aching all over and I cannot stop shaking. I can hear the screams of many people in the village, and it terrifies me. Some of the screams I hear are of those in pain, others sound like screams of pure terror. Maybe our village has been afflicted with some kind of demonic plague. I will spend my time in prayer, at least in the moments when my body does not feel like it's being ripped apart. If our medicines won't work, maybe the mercy of the Lord will fix our afflictions.

12/09/1995

My head is killing me, our herbalist usually has something for the pain. If the herbs we usually use can't fix what is wrong, maybe she will have something to dull the pain.

I feel like I'm being punished and this feels like what the missionaries mentioned hell was like. I've been devout. Why am I suffering like this? I'm so scared. I'm going to try and pray for comfort.

19/09/1995

I woke up screaming. This can't be possible. I thought I fell asleep in my bed. Maybe I have died, but why am I here? There's a darkness that seems almost unnatural yet, I can see clearly around me. I think I'm in some sort of cavern, but it's so hot. I'm going to explore and see where I am.

I'm so exhausted. I've run as far as my feet can take me. I still hear that infernal laughter and I'm too afraid to see what kind of beast could laugh like that. I'm going to do my best to hide and sleep. Between the oppressive heat and the smell of rotten egg and burning flesh, it is hard to get some rest. What have I done to deserve this hellish fate?

???

How long have I been in this place? This has to be Hell. I lived a devout life, how did this happen?

I finally saw one of those beasts today. I wish I had not. The beast was about 4 meters tall, had 5 massive horns on its hyena-like head, the body of a zebra, and massive arms. It reeked of rotten meat and would not stop with its infernal haunting laughter. Once again, I ran in terror not stopping until the laughter was a distant echo in these damned caves.

I saw a bright red glow that managed to cut through the darkness. I decided to follow it just to get out of this cursed darkness. I wish I had not been so curious. One of those giant beasts was throwing people into a pit of fire. I could here the wailing and moans of despair mingle with the constant laughter of those beasts. I'm going to try and hide again. I'm going to try and pray, maybe something will hear me.

???

A creature had spotted me and chased me down the caverns. I did not have time to look back and see it but I could hear the demonic giggles as it chased me. After some time, the creature managed to catch me, I could feel its cold claws dig into my back and the warmth of my blood coming from the wound. I do not know what was scarier, getting caught and clawed into, or that the demon had left after it had me at its mercy. They're playing with me, tormenting me. I'm so scared and alone. I think I found a place to hide, I'm going to try to rest.

???

I saw a light again in the cave but this time it was different. There was a warmth to it that made me feel calm. I decided against my better judgement to go and have a look.

What I saw in the cave made my heart leap with joy. It was one of the missionaries, and an angelic being by his side. The missionary said that the being with him was the archangel Uriel and that they were here to rescue me. They told me to rest for the journey ahead would be a long one. For the first time in who knows how long, I was able to have a good rest.

???

When I awoke, Uriel helped me to my feet. He was not very gentle and his touch burned a bit. I did not think too much of it since this was an angelic being and I am just a pathetic lost soul here in Hell. The missionary came back and said he had scouted ahead and charted a path for us to take.

As we made our way through, I could hear the rhythmic stomping of large beasts. I begged my companions to find another way, the sound of their stomping filling me with fear. Soon after, I noticed that the archangel Uriel was tapping the hilt of his sword in rhythm while the reverend muttered blasphemies in time with the rhythm. Without a word to the others, I bolted in terror down the tunnels the demonic laughter of the two resonating down the caverns.

???

There is no way out. I am doomed to live this way for the rest of eternity. I do not know what I did to deserve damnation but I think it's time to accept my eternal fate. I will go submit myself to the demons willingly to be cast into the lake of fire where I belong.

Addendum XXXX.2: The following journal was taken from a villager moved to a local foundation site after their village was determined to be a SCP-XXXX outbreak.

+ Open

05/10/1995

I went up to the stream to get water for the village this morning. It wasn't flowing as much as it used to, but there was enough to fill my containers after some time. I hope that there is no drought on it's way, I do not think that the village could handle it at this time.

07/10/1995

The stream had almost fully stopped so I decided that I should check and see what was going on with the stream, our village needs this water.

I found what had blocked off our stream. My dear friend from the next village over, Akuji, was dead and in the stream. I found a notebook close by, maybe it will tell me what happened. For now, I will get a few of the other men to help me with Akuji's body and give him a proper burial.

09/10/1995

There has been some kind of sickness going through the village. I will try and radio a clinic for help.

I managed to get in contact with some traveling doctors and after explaining the village's symptoms they said some people would be sent over with some medicine.

11/10/1995

The doctor and her assistant made it to our village in the early afternoon. They are both very nice people who promised to help as much as they can. I asked them to treat everyone else first, I can wait. I will cook a big meal for our guests to thank them.

12/10/1995

My limbs wont stop twitching and everywhere hurts. Even the doctors are not feeling well now. The medicine that we were given does not seem to be working. I can't help by recall Akuji's journal. Will that be our fate? I'll give his journal to the doctors and see what they think about it.

My son's screaming woke me up. I did my best to comfort him, but he said the pain made it hard to sleep and the laughter of hyenas are keeping him up as well. Strange though, I can't hear what he does.

15/10/1995

There is something off about the village, an emptiness that I cannot explain. There's less people about than usual, I suppose the sickness is to blame for that. I can't shake the feeling I'm being watched though. This whole thing is deeply unsettling.

18/10/1995

My son woke me from a nap in the late-afternoon today. He was screaming about being mauled by hyenas. I could see no injuries but he was holding himself like we was wounded.

In his delirium and without warning, he punched me in the nose and took off for the wilds. I was so stunned, it took me a few moments to recover but I have to go after him!

I could not catch my son, I feel like I have failed him and my family. As soon as I get back to the village I will get help to search for my son.

When I got back to my village to get help, something was very wrong. I could not find anyone. I checked every house and anywhere people might be out. Not a soul to be found. This feels like a very surreal nightmare. All I hear is the sound of the wind, not even the sounds of animals are around. Strangely, I still can't shake the feeling of being watched.

19/10/1995

I woke up early this morning expecting to be done with that nightmare and see everyone. Sadly, this is not the case. Though the feeling of being watched has only grown stronger.

I decided to go from house to house today. I thought that I could find out why everyone has disappeared. Every so often, something would clatter to the ground around me, somehow. The sudden noise breaking the silence and giving me a heart attack. Is someone toying with me?

There has to be some reason that everyone is gone. I can't think of why everyone would leave without so much as a note or a warning. Regardless, I'm going to stay here a few days and see if someone comes back. I'm not sure what scares me more, loneliness, the feeling of being watched or the unnatural silence.

22/10/1995

It's been a few days but I miss the sounds of my wife's voice and the laughter of our son, I hope you're both still ok. I cannot stand to be here all alone.

It took almost all day but I made it to the next village over. To my horror, there is no one here either. It's like everyone has just disappeared. I still feel like I'm being watched though. I called out a few times and all that responded was the echo of my voice. It's late and I'm tired. I'm going to take over one of the houses here, not like anyone can argue with me over it.

23/10/1995

While sitting in the middle of this village thinking of what to do, I heard the static of a radio coming to life. I almost couldn't believe my ears, thinking this was a trick of my mind or whoever is watching me. It could still be a trick but I can't help but see what's happening.

My heart leapt when I got a response on the radio, it was the doctor's assistant. It felt so good to hear another voice after being in utter silence for so long. She mentioned that everyone was in the village, and even my son was found. I mentioned all that has gone on and oddly enough she didn't know what I was talking about.

I know I should get to the village, I'm sure everyone is scared but I'm close to Akuji's so I need to go check out his village. It's only a small side trip.

24/10/1995

It took some time but I finally made it. Passed through more empty villages on the way. Going though them was frightening and surreal. Still feeling watched and dealing with spontaneous noises.

Just as I feared, Akuji's village is a ghost town. I'm still hopeful that something good will happen but there's a strong fear in the back of my mind that it was just a trick of my mind.

25/10/1995

What the hell happened here? I finally made it back to my village only to find it burnt to the ground. It hurt to dig through the burning embers of the smoldering wreckage but I have to find something. Even a body for closure would be nice.

Nothing at all. Whatever is going on here, I'm doomed to live in loneliness. I can't live like this.

Note: The host who wrote this diary was detained and brought to site-███ after their final entry

Addendum XXXX.3: The following are interviews that took place between Dr. ██████ and an instance of SCP-XXXX-1.

+ Open Interview 1

Interviewed: SCP-XXXX-01-α

Interviewer: Dr. ███████

Foreword: The following interview, is the first interview between Dr. ███████ and SCP-XXXX-01-α, the first Tanzanian host in SCP custody to fully recover from SCP-XXXX. SCP-XXXX-01-α was medical personnel with Doctors Without Borders, prior to its infection and subsequent containment.

<Begin Log>

Dr. █: Good afternoon zero one.

SCP-XXXX-01-α: Good afternoon doc.

Dr. █: And how are we feeling this afternoon? Everything well?

SCP-XXXX-01-α: If you mean am I still in the normal world? Then yes.

Dr. █: Glad to hear it. So, you are the first subject to recover from the effects of the parasite. To the best of your recollection, I need you to tell me about your experience with the infection.

SCP-XXXX-01-α: Can you tell me where I am or who you people are?

Dr. █: I'm afraid that's classified information. Now please, tell me about the infection.

SCP-XXXX-01-α: Me and my partner were responding to a radio call from one of the villages. It sounded like a routine call to treat some form of infection, maybe dysentery or some kind of parasite.

Dr. █: And what was the village like when you got there?

SCP-XXXX-01-α: It wasn't great, most if not everyone was infected. Some had severe pains and tremors. We gave out what medicine we had in hopes that the anti-biotics and anti-parasitic would work.

Dr. █: Were the medicines administered effective at all?

SCP-XXXX-01-α: If there were any effects, I certainly didn't notice them.

Dr. █: And when do you think you contracted the parasite?

SCP-XXXX-01-α: Akida, one of the villagers, cooked dinner for me and my partner. I think that's when I picked up the parasite.

Dr. █: How did you feel when you realized that you had been infected?

SCP-XXXX-01-α: I didn't think too much about it at first. Just a case of nausea and the runs. Uncomfortable, sure, but not usually life threatening. It wasn't until the first day that I had muscle pains and spasms that I got really worried.

Dr. █: And what worried you the most?

SCP-XXXX-01-α: The symptoms were unlike anything we usually treat in the area. Then Akida gave me a journal found near the body of a guy from a neighboring village upstream from where I was working. The journal gave me insight on what to expect…

SCP-XXXX-01-α shudders

SCP-XXXX-01-α: Can…Can we return to this later?

Dr. █: I don't see why not.

<End Log>

Closing Statement: SCP-XXXX-01-α is returned to its containment cell to rest and go through another round of psychological evaluations to determine its mental status. The initial interview seems to confirm the stages of infection remain consistent from host to host.

+ Open Interview 2

Interviewed: SCP-XXXX-01-α

Interviewer: Dr. ███████

Foreword: The following interview, is the second interview between Dr. ███████ and SCP-XXXX-01-α. The topic of the interview will cover SCP-XXXX-01-α's late stages of infection. SCP-XXXX-01-α will be allowed to bring their pet tarantula to the interview as a form of service pet.

<Begin Log>

Dr. █: Good afternoon again zero one.

SCP-XXXX-01-α: Good afternoon again doc.

Dr. █ stares uneasily at the tarantula and SCP-XXXX-01-α chuckles a bit

**SCP-XXXX-01-α:* Don't worry, Mr. Skitters doesn't bite. Quite harmless actually.

Dr. █: If you say so… Please continue where we left off yesterday.

**SCP-XXXX-01-α:* Right, so the village was going mad. Everyone was terrified of something, and it seemed like they were in their own world.

Dr. █: And how about yourself during all this?

SCP-XXXX-01-α: It started with little things here an there. Sometimes, I would see a spider out of the corner of my eye. Sometimes it felt like I walked into a spider web or a spider skittering across my arm. Other times it was hearing the constant skittering of spiders around me.

Dr. █: So you had a major phobia of spiders?

SCP-XXXX-01-α:I was bit by a brown recluse as a child. Sent me to the ER where I nearly died. Was terrified of spiders ever since.

Dr. █: When you were debriefed after recovering from the parasite, you mentioned being trapped in a spider world. Elaborate on that for me.

SCP-XXXX-01-α:There were huge spiders everywhere. Many of the homes in the village were covered in webbing. I could hear the cries of hurt and dying villagers almost constantly. And the spiders were very aggressive. All I could do was fight, hide, and hope to survive.

Dr. █: That sounds horrifying. Did you ever realize at any point that it wasn't real?

SCP-XXXX-01-α:The thought never crossed my mind. Dealing with oversized spiders and fighting for my life didn't give me time to reflect on my situation. The spiders felt so real, I'm not sure if I could ever realize it was all in my head.

Dr. █:You mentioned the size of the spiders a few times. How big were they?

SCP-XXXX-01-α: About two or three times the size of Mr. Skitters on average, if that gives you any idea. Although, there were a few that were even bigger than that.

Dr. █:Was there any moment where you thought you were safe?

SCP-XXXX-01-α: There was. One of the locals had some kind of repellent that managed to repel the spiders for a day or so. It was a few days of rest until the repellent failed and it was right back to square one. The situation became scarier and felt hopeless.

Dr. █:And how were you able to deal with the situation after that?

SCP-XXXX-01-α:I just thought that this wasn't the place where I was going to die. I refused to give in to fear and despair. Instead I became numb to it. After a few days, things just started going back to normal and I found myself here.

Dr. █:Interesting. According to the psychologist here you no longer have a phobia of spiders. Is that correct?

SCP-XXXX-01-α: Yes. It is.

Dr. █: You've also mentioned having some kind of bond with spiders.

SCP-XXXX-01-α:That is correct. Watch.

01-α gently places its pet tarantula in the middle of the table

SCP-XXXX-01-α: Go ahead Mr. Skitters, wave at the doctor.

The tarantula turns to face the Dr. █ and waives with its front two legs. Dr. █ goes pale

Dr. █:That's…uhhh…Very nice…

Dr. █ leans back, away from the tarantula

SCP-XXXX-01-α: Something wrong doc?

Dr. █: Not at all…I think we have everything we need for now. Thank you Zero One.

<End Log>

Closing Statement: SCP-XXXX-01-α is returned to its containment cell along with its pet tarantula. SCP-XXXX-01-α displays some control or bond with its pet. Further testing should be conducted to determine the extent of this bond.