Z8MB1E

Draft 1 - SCP-3XXX

Item #: SCP-3XXX

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: Containment of SCP-3XXX is to be accomplished via the distribution of misinformation in the form of road repairs and construction along any section of road within SCP-3XXX's zone of influence. A secondary road will be established with a path outside and around the zone of influence to allow diversion of traffic. Due to the stationary nature of SCP-3XXX, the conditions involved in triggering its effects, and SCP-3XXX's passably innocuous zone of influence, misinformation and traffic diversion have so far proven effective in dissuading civilian interaction with SCP-3XXX.

Two off-site observation outposts are located two hundred (200) meters from SCP-3XXX's zone of influence in both north-east and south-west directions, respectively. These observation outposts are to be staffed with a contingent of thirty (30) staff members with various roles, including researchers and security staff. In the event of a rogue civilian asset approaching SCP-3XXX's zone of influence during the prerequisite conditions, security staff will attempt to follow and return the civilian to a safe location, additionally directing them towards the secondary road in order to complete their travels. If this fails and a civilian asset meets all the requirements for activation of SCP-3XXX, security staff will cease attempts to recover the civilian and return to their designated outposts; in addition, testing with SCP-3XXX will be delayed for a minimum of twelve (12) hours beyond contact lost with the rogue asset.

Description: SCP-3XXX is a 500 m x 500 m circular stretch of worn asphalt road located in [REDACTED], Ohio. In testing, any person with knowledge of the approximate location, existence, and nature of SCP-3XXX is rendered incapable of entering it or its zone of influence by any means; however, subjects unaware of the existence or nature of SCP-3XXX during testing are capable of entering SCP-3XXX through anomalous means (see Addendum 3XXX-01). Remote observation of unknowing subjects by researchers is possible and remains the Foundation's only means of effectively studying and recording the anomalous properties of SCP-3XXX.

Located along various points of SCP-3XXX are posted signs displaying supposedly pertinent traffic information to the driver. The signs vary in type, although signs indicating speed limit are most prominent. The signs and their content are seemingly random: recorded speed limits have varied between 8 km/h and 290 km/h¹, with no apparent preference. During the primary and secondary states, SCP-3XXX is also lined with a number of homes with the appearance of recent construction in the Ranch and Craftsman styles prevalent in much of the 20th century. These homes vary in appearance and orientation², with many of the homes lacking viable forms of entry (windows, doors, chimneys, etc). Several of the houses recorded seemed to be constructed entirely out of brick or wood, with no doors or windows whatsoever. All of the homes lack a driveway and sidewalk.

SCP-3XXX has three active states: 1) the trigger state, 2) the primary state, and 3) the secondary state. The trigger state is activated by an unknowing subject during a series of very particular conditions, and will invariably result in the primary and secondary states, which are the primary focus of SCP-3XXX study. For more information on the trigger state, refer to Addendum 3XXX-01.

SCP-3XXX also has a conclusion state which occurs directly after the conclusion of the primary state. This state has only been recorded in twelve (12) instances during testing.

SCP-3XXX's primary and secondary states are the Foundation's main source of interest regarding SCP-3XXX's anomalous properties. The primary state occurs at the conclusion of the trigger state and lasts far longer than the trigger state, sometimes lasting indefinitely³.

A short summary of SCP-3XXX's anomalous properties during the primary state is as follows:

• Subjects will fail to recognize or remain otherwise indifferent regarding their abnormal circumstances, even when prompted.
• Posted regulatory signs within SCP-3XXX will appear at various points in the road, each one different in content. These signs are consistent with standard traffic signs, such as speed limit signs, stop signs, and yield signs. Subjects will compulsively obey the limits and commands imposed by the signs to the best of their ability.
• After eighteen (18) minutes of driving within SCP-3XXX, humanoid silhouettes will appear in the windows of houses lining the road of SCP-3XXX. These silhouettes are collectively designated SCP-3XXX-1. Instances of SCP-3XXX-1 will remain perfectly stationary with an orientation assumed to be facing outwards from the window, towards the street. This "frozen" behavior persists until SCP-3XXX enters its secondary state, signified by a sudden and rapid elevation in the emotional stress of the subject.

The secondary state will manifest approximately thirty (30) minutes after initialization of the primary state. A short summary of SCP-3XXX's anomalous properties during the secondary state is as follows:

• Upon commencement of SCP-3XXX's secondary state, subjects will experience intense anxiety characterized by elevated levels of fear and confusion. Subjects will repeatedly state that "something is wrong" and that they are "not sure what it is".
• Approximately one (1) hour after the commencement of SCP-3XXX's secondary stage, instances of SCP-3XXX-1 will be observed in various positions and poses associated with self-harm, mutilation, and aggression. During this time, the comprehension and stability of the subject will deteriorate gradually until the subject is no longer coherent—rambling and screaming often occurs at this point, and continues for several hours (see Testing Log 3XXX-2-04 for further details).
• In the majority of testing cases, after approximately four (4) hours of driving the subject will stop the vehicle, cease vocalization, and exit via the driver-side door. Visual monitoring equipment installed on the car will at this point fail without exception. Audio recording devices typically last five (5) to ten (10) seconds longer before cutting out as well. All other mediums of observation or recording are rendered inoperable at this stage. There is currently no viable way to recover the equipment, and as such, any monitoring and recording equipment installed in the vehicle or on the subject is considered irretrievably lost.

Addendum: Please refer to the following items.

[+] Addendum 3XXX-01 - Documentation of Trigger State

SCP-3XXX's trigger event manifests at night between 1:20 AM and 1:39 AM, when a single unsuspecting driver—henceforth referred to as the subject—approaches SCP-3XXX's zone of influence, roughly eight (8) kilometers north of ████ along [REDACTED] County Road, ██-█. This effect only occurs if the subject is traveling north at a speed of roughly 80 to 91 km/h and has no other passengers in the vehicle.

If at this point all conditions have been met, the anomalous effects of SCP-3XXX will enter Phase One, consisting of the following effects:

• The subject will immediately and invariably experience acute dromosagnosia⁴. This effect is so pronounced that the subject will be rendered unable to continue driving.
• Upon experiencing this effect, the subject will attempt to pull over and stop the car. The subject will perform these actions normally if unimpeded. Attempts to coax or force a subject into continuing to drive is met with mental and physical resistance on the part of the subject.
• Subjects will complain of severe headaches and extreme pressure behind the eyes; on several occasions, subjects have remarked that their "eyes are going to pop out". These subjects are unresponsive to external interaction and will continue to experience these feelings for several minutes before lapsing into unconsciousness.

Beginning six (6) minutes after the onset of Phase One, SCP-3XXX's anomalous properties will change. This change, marked Phase Two, consists of the following effects:

• The subject will immediately recover from their symptoms, expressing great relief at their recovery and a desire to leave the location as soon as possible. The subject will proceed to restart the vehicle and attempt to drive in the direction they arrived from.
• At this point, the subject will remark that the road appears different than it was several moments prior. Any optical recording devices will observe a subtle shift in the angle of the road—the road will appear to curve to the side. Rearview recording devices observe the same change at an opposite angle, suggesting the road has reoriented in such a way as to form the shape of a circle. It will become apparent after several minutes of observation that the driver will have driven in a complete circle, with no viable outlets or exit roads. This usually results in confusion or fear manifesting within the subject.
• After several minutes of driving the environment surrounding SCP-3XXX will begin to change. Trees, brush, and vegetation along the side of the road will begin to disappear and be replaced with mailboxes, power transformers, signs, and other miscellaneous objects most commonly located within residential areas. Within approximately fifteen (15) minutes of driving, houses will begin to appear along the road. These houses appear extremely worn, with many damaged beyond repair (most appear to be victims of fire/arson). Sustained travel on the part of the subject for any time beyond twenty (20) minutes will cause the entirety of road to be lined with houses. Upon each revolution of the subject around SCP-3XXX, houses will begin to look newer and brighter, while damaged houses will seemingly be repaired. This effect continues for approximately two (2) hours of sustained driving, upon which houses will no longer repair or renew themselves.

Completion of Phase Two (subject must have driven for at least two (2) hours around the entirety of SCP-3XXX) will result in the manifestation of the primary and secondary stages, whereupon the most prominent and interesting anomalous properties of SCP-3XXX will manifest.

[+] Addendum 3XXX-02 - Full Documentation of Primary and Secondary States

Full documentation regarding the effects of the primary state are as follows:

• The driver—henceforth referred to as the subject—will remain unaware of the anomalous nature of SCP-3XXX. This manifests by disbelief in the circular nature of SCP-3XXX—subjects will believe they are traveling straight, and will not notice their performance of complete revolutions on the road. If subjects are questioned at any point regarding their abnormal behaviors or the strangeness of their surroundings, subjects will become slightly defensive, claiming that they "feel great" and that "nothing is wrong, everything's fine".
• While driving, the subject will feel compelled to obey the instructions provided by posted signs located along the side of the street. For example, if the subject observes a sign with a speed limit of 10 km/h, the subject will unerringly slow the car within the best of their ability to a speed at or below 10 km/h. In contrast, if the subject observes a sign with a speed limit of 100 km/h, the subject will not feel compelled to accelerate to exactly 100 km/h but will instead drive at a safe speed whilst remaining under the 100 km/h limit. Other signs, such as stop signs and yield signs, will also be obeyed—in the case of the latter, the driver will stop the car and look to both sides of the street before accelerating. Attempts to coerce the subject into disobeying the signs is fruitless and met with resistance—subjects will under no circumstances disobey the signs. When questioned about the compliant behavior exhibited by subjects during this time, subjects will usually respond by exclaiming their adherence to standard federal and state driving laws.
• Invariably at the eleven (11) minute mark of persisted driving, the subject will remark at the absence of any people or human activity that would otherwise be expected of a residential area. Even when prompted, the subject will not notice or will express casual indifference at the lack of driveways, windows, or doors on many of the houses.
• After eighteen (18) minutes of driving, a number of humanoid silhouettes will start to appear in any of the windows present in houses located within SCP-3XXX. These silhouettes appear to be standing completely still, with an orientation assumed to be facing outwards towards the street. The number of silhouettes, as well as the houses within which they appear, varies at random⁵. When informed of the existence of these silhouettes, subjects will express confusion but will remain mostly indifferent, claiming that they "are unable to see the silhouettes" as described, but that "it doesn't bother them".

It is at this point that the primary state ends and the secondary state begins, consisting of the following effects:

• After thirty (30) minutes of driving, the subject will begin to experience heightened fear and confusion. When questioned about this behavior, the subject is usually unable to provide a valid reason, just stating that "something is wrong" and that they are "not sure what it is".
• It is noted that after one (1) hour of continued driving, a number of window silhouettes will appear to be posed or "frozen" in a number of ways most typically associated with fear or aggression. Some have been observed with their fists against the window in a manner that resembles "a desire to escape" or acquire the attention of someone from the outside, while others have been observed holding sharp instruments to their necks, limbs, or extremities as if performing suicidal or otherwise gruesome self-harming activities. During this time, the comprehension and stability of the subject will deteriorate gradually until the subject is no longer coherent—rambling and screaming often occurs at this point, and continues for several hours (see Testing Log 3XXX-2-04 for further details). However, it should be recorded that while the general behavior and psychological stability of the subject deteriorates, the skill and compliance observed in their driving does not, as subjects will continue to drive well past the breaking point. Upon each complete revolution, silhouettes which were once posed in a certain way will now be posed in a different (and often more violent) way.
• In the majority of testing cases, after approximately four (4) hours of driving the subject will stop the vehicle, cease vocalization, and exit via the driver-side door. Visual monitoring equipment installed on the car will at this point fail without exception. Audio recording devices typically last five (5) to ten (10) seconds longer before cutting out as well. Audio recorded during this period sounds similar to a large number of footsteps on gravel, followed by the loud snap of an unknown object. All other mediums of observation or recording are rendered inoperable at this stage. There is currently no viable way to recover the equipment, and as such, any monitoring and recording equipment installed in the vehicle or on the subject is considered irretrievably lost.

Footnotes

1. . While SCP-3XXX is located in the USA, all measurements recorded are converted to Imperial units in accordance with Foundation protocol.

2. Refers to the assumed position of a front or entryway door leading to the home's main foyer — many of the homes are oriented in such a way that the entryway door, if present, is not facing the road.

3. Testing has resulted in only twelve (12) cases of subject retrieval—most lose contact with researchers during the secondary state and cannot be recovered.

4. The loss of the sense of direction, an effect similar to navigational topographic disorientation.

5. Observation of silhouettes has provided different results; in one case, only three silhouettes, each located in a different window, were visible during the entirety of the primary stage. In another case, a total of one hundred twenty-four (124) silhouettes, all in different windows, were visible throughout the primary stage.