Work Text:
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING FILE IS LEVEL #6/9946 CLASSIFIED
ANY ATTEMPT TO ACCESS THIS FILE WITHOUT LEVEL 6/9946 AUTHORIZATION WILL BE LOGGED AND WILL LEAD TO IMMEDIATE TERMINATION.
Item#: 9946
Level: 6
Containment Class: esoteric
Secondary Class: archon
Disruption Class: amida
Risk Class: critical
link to memo
Special Containment Procedures:
SCP-9946 is to be kept at Site-19-B. The site is located ██ km from Site-19-A. SCP-9946 has been given an analog geolocation tracker to wear at all times. In the event the tracker is removed or SCP-9946 leaves Site-19-B, personnel are to notify the current Site Director. All personnel are to maintain an ongoing masquerade with SCP-9946 based on the scenarios she is enacting. Personnel are under no circumstances to contradict her roleplay, break character, or correct her. Personnel who do may face immediate termination by SCP-9946 or the O5 Council. Due to the passive euphoric field SCP-9946 projects, all personnel are to be rotated offsite every 14 days and given Class-C amnestic treatments. In the event SCP-9946 displays behavior indicating she may become upset, bored, or angered, personnel are to immediately follow the Lullaby Protocol detailed in Addendum 1. While SCP-9946 is interacting with SCP-9946-11, SCP-9946-22, or SCP-9946-33, personnel are to remain outside of containment for their own safety.
Description:
SCP-9946 appears as a young girl of approximately 9 or 10 years of age. The subject was measured at 137 cm. Weight could not be determined. The subject has ankle-length crimson hair and emerald green eyes. The subject has refused to wear shoes and stated, "They feel weird and heavy and make my feet hurt a lot." Dr. Clef described two additional forms for SCP-9946 following his interview4. Under no circumstances are personnel to ask SCP-9946 about her origins or other forms. In the event personnel witness these forms, they are to log a report immediately and request Class-C amnestic suppression and psychological counseling.
Origin:
The Foundation became aware of SCP-9946 during a potential ontological event near Site-79 and the subsequent containment breach at Site-19.
The following reports have been compiled following SCP-9946's emergence.
- CLOSE REPORT
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT: SITE-79 RECOVERY
Classification: Cosmic Top-Secret Clearance Required | Reporting Officer: [REDACTED]
At approximately 0300, Mobile Task Force Epsilon-6 and Lambda-5 were dispatched to a rural village in [REDACTED], Japan, following various reported missing person cases. Upon arrival in the village agents found signs of an anomalous mass-euphoric event affecting all civilians within a ██ km radius. Afflicted individuals presented elevated serotonin levels, signs of risus sardonicus5 and reported profound happiness with no desire to leave their homes. Field agents reported finding several deceased individuals with bite marks and missing brain matter. The survivors were severely malnourished and developed severe muscular atrophy and bed sores, along with repeatedly soiling themselves. Standard amnestic protocols were placed on standby pending assessment by O5 Council. While agents were securing civilians, they encountered an anomaly in the form of a black stuffed rabbit. As the agents attempted to capture the anomaly it fled into one of the unsecured houses. Agents attempted to breach the house and were met by frenzied civilians. The agents were able to subdue the villagers and capture the anomaly. It has been transferred to Site 79 and is pending classification.
At 1300, agents reported the closer they got to the epicenter vegetation, architecture, and wildlife had deviated significantly from baseline in ways agents described as structurally and biologically impossible. Several biological samples were taken of the environment. Samples showed no Hume readings despite their anomalous behaviors. The samples included a flower that appeared to bloom in reverse, a sample of tree sap that tests showed had the same makeup as melted candy, and a captured raccoon whose mouth functioned similar to an alligator. Agents reported the creature attempted to latch onto the face of a field researcher burning through his face shield before it was pried of and placed into containment. Agents noted the creature was frequently attempting to escape its containment and only settled down once it was extracted from the location. Agents have transferred the creature to site 19 for more secure containment Agents discovered a house at the event's epicenter that they described as "magical and shimmering." MTF agents attempted to gather Hume readings, however the equipment was unable to determine a fixed number. Agents advised the equipment fluctuated between 1 and 0 repeatedly. As agents could not get a baseline readings they determined whatever was causing the event was rendering all measurement devices inoperable. Agents also attempted to deploy Scranton Reality Anchors but had no noticeable effect on the environment.
Commanding officer [REDACTED] ordered Agent [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] to scout the house before fellow agents moved in for containment. Agents approached the primary structure and observed the following through the window. Inside, two adults, later identified as [REDACTED], a school-teacher reported missing 24 months prior, and [REDACTED], a woman reported missing 23 months prior, sitting at a living room table. A child approximately 9 to 10 years of age with red hair sat at the table. Agents reported there seemed to be a disturbance within the residence. The child was demanding hot chocolate and had been advised by the male that they did not have any. When the child's demand went further unanswered she responded by telling the man that he could be the beverage instead. Agents noted that the man's skin began to darken and experience cellular decomposition. Agents noted his skin began to fall from his face in thick clumps as they heard his screams from the window. The child gathered the liquid into two cups and began drinking it. Agents noted the second adult was hesitant to drink but forced herself to comply upon the child's insistence. Agents noticed that in the corner of the window was a second rabbit, this one was described as a white stuffed rabbit staring at them through the window. When agents looked at it, the anomaly hid behind a curtain. Agents returned to the MTF visibly shaken and reported their findings to the commanding officer
The commander instructed the MTF to proceed with standard procedure for an unsecured Code Green anomaly, and agents breached the house. Upon entering the house Agents [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] moved to secure the rabbit anomaly, while remaining agents focused on the child anomaly. The child screamed "don't touch Mr. Peek-A-Boo" before agents [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] disappeared with only their shadows remaining across the counter. Agent [REDACTED] discharged a non-lethal sedative dart at the child. Upon the dart impacting with the child's skin, it fell harmlessly to the ground. A moment later Agent [REDACTED] was suddenly and violently killed by what the field agents described as a force on par with an internal plastic explosive. The two nearby agents were showered in visceral matter and blood. Commanding officer [REDACTED] ordered all units to engage with live ammunition at the anomaly. MTF Agents opened fire however they reported complete weapons malfunction. The firearms discharged non-harmful materials including water, flower petals, silly string, confetti, and bubbles. Agent [REDACTED] reported his weapon produced only vocalized "pew-pew" sound effects upon trigger-pull.6 The child seemed to freeze for a moment, before asking "What did you do? Where's Isaac and Mr. Giggles." The child stomped her feet before the stuffed rabbit ran to her and the two anomalies vanished.
The adult was secured without resistance in the back of a MTF mobile unit. She was compliant and reported having attempted to abduct the child two years prior with her boyfriend and her brother, at which point the child had compelled them to act as her caretakers. The female advised when her brother refused to follow along with the child's demands and flee, she had turned him into a ball. The female began sobbing and advised that after that the child forced them to keep a smile on their face and could not show any unhappiness around the child nor leave. The recovered adult has been remanded to Site-79 for psychological evaluation.
- CLOSE REPORT
CONTAINMENT BREACH: SITE-19 INCIDENT LOG
Site Director: [REDACTED] | Classification: Eyes Only
The following account is reconstructed from written logs, personnel debriefings, and the single functioning external analog CCTV unit. All internal Hume monitoring systems and audio-visual equipment on site were rendered inoperable during the incident.
I had finished reading the Site-79 report approximately forty minutes prior. It was unusual, but not the strangest thing I had read in my five years as a Site Director. I was reviewing secondary documentation when the Hume counter on my desk began to move.
I saw it hit .98 at first, but there was no anomalous activity logged anywhere in the facility. No containment alerts. No anomalies attempting to breach containment. Nothing to explain the reading.
I saw it begin to fluctuate randomly. It would drop, then climb, then display negatives, then return to one, but they never stayed on a single number for more than half a second. I didn't even know it could display negatives, but that was when my radio activated. The voice belonged to the overnight agents stationed at the new anomalies containment unit.
"Sir, the new anomaly is exhibiting unusual behavior. It's been docile since it arrived, even during our tests, but now it's becoming aggressive. It's pounding against the walls, and it keeps changing. Sir, I've never seen it do anything like this since it arrived. Wait, what's it doing? Sir, the anomaly is moving its mouth; I think it's trying to say something." Then the radios went dead.
Every Hume counter in the facility spiked at 0 almost simultaneously. I watched mine spark and short-circuited. Approximately one second later, I heard that same sound throughout the building as our ontological and A/V systems failed one by one. It wasn't just our radios and Hume readers, it was every sensor, SRA, camera. All of it shorted out even the backup grids and redundancies. They either completely fried or were destroyed as something approached from the outside.
Before I had time to act, the site's red and blue lights came on and the intercoms activated. They issued a warning I had hoped I would never hear at this site:
"Attention all personnel. Total Ontokinetic blackout detected. Executing Protocol Blind Eye7. This is not a drill. Please proceed to the nearest safety bunker and await further orders." My device then pinged with the automated alert already transmitted to the O5 Council and every active site:
Site-19 is experiencing total Ontokinetic failure. All Hume tracking infrastructure has suffered catastrophic thermal destruction. The source is unknown. Initiating backup analog containment measures. Standby for confirmation of site detonation.
I could already hear Nu-7, Epsilon-11, and likely Bravo-02 assembling in the corridor outside my office. They reported that sensors had begun failing outside of the site first. Whatever was causing this was approaching from outside the site and was likely heading to the main entrance. Together we made our way to the external monitoring station at the facility's entrance. During this time not one SCP attempted to breach containment. I later asked personnel and they advised they had seen some change in SCP behavior. The only functioning camera feeds outside we had left were aging analog units mounted above the main entrance, surviving only because they were basic.
On the screen, I could see a child skipping toward the facility. Approximately 9 to 10 years of age. Long red hair. Green eyes. Holding a stuffed rabbit that matched the same description in the field report. The failures had begun when she was still kilometers away. Whatever she was, her proximity alone had been sufficient to completely destroy every monitoring system we had before she had ever come into visual range. The personnel around me understood this. I was already watching Hammer Down and Nine-Tailed Fox, checking their ammo and getting ready to shoot first and ask questions later. I watched the detonation timer as the countdown hit zero and I understood in that exact moment that the warhead I had always told myself existed for this exact scenario had failed too. I had read the Site-79 field report; I knew the MTF groups were about to turn this into a one-sided bloodbath and we would be on the losing side of that. I didn't have the authority to stop them, but I tried anyway. "Corporal Grant, if those doors open and you start shooting we guarantee a site-wide containment breach. I have an idea but I need your men to promise to stand down unless things go wrong."
Corporal Grant didn't respond for a long moment, not until we saw what happened on the camera feed. Something that made my blood run cold. The child stopped in front of the door and both the child and the rabbit turned their heads in unison and looked directly into that camera. The camera was mounted at an angle and height that made direct observation of it impossible without knowing its exact location. There was no visible lens. No indicator light. Nothing to suggest its presence. She simply turned and looked into it like she knew we were watching. Grant gave me a single nod. "You've got two minutes to change my mind. If it even moves funny we're not going to think twice." My hand was shaking as I pressed the intercom button and spoke into the microphone. "Hello." I took a deep breath. "Can … can you hear me through this speaker, little girl?"
"I can hear you. Your voice sounds really funny like a robot's. What is this place?" She sounded like just any normal kid. My instincts were to treat her like one, I felt compelled to even, like she was digging into my mind. It was only because I kept telling myself to remember what happened to the equipment. Remember the Site-79 report. That was the only reason I clocked that her voice didn't seem to only be coming through the speakers but from all around me as well. "Well, it's funny you should ask, this is actually a very important building and we keep a lot of dangerous things here. We don't want children playing around here because they could get hurt." I wasn't sure how to continue. On one hand, if she was an anomaly, we would want to contain her, but on the other I wasn't even sure if we could. "I'm the director of this building. My name is [REDACTED]. Why don't you tell me yours?" There was a long moment of silence before she responded. "I'm Sophie. Just Sophie." She held up the rabbit in front of her. "And this is Mr. Peek-A-Boo. We came to check on one of our friends I think he's inside. Can we come in now?"
"I'll tell you what Sophie. If you don't mind answering some questions for me I'll see if maybe we can let you see your friend." I felt Grant's hand grab my shoulder as I said this. "What the hell do you think you're doing? You don't have the authority to let an anomaly into this site." He was firm but I could tell even he was afraid. "Then shoot me. I read what happened when the 'Village Idiots' and 'White Rabbits' tried to shoot first. I think there may be a way to contain her. If you're going to pull your dick out again, then I suggest once you shoot me, you shoot yourself as well. It will be better than whatever she will do to you." Grant backed off for a moment and I took a deep breath. "Fine, but once this is done, we're reporting it to the O5s."
During my exchange with Grant, Sophie had said yes. I could see her waiting outside the door. Just waiting for my response. I pressed the intercom again, "I heard from a little birdie that maybe you were in Japan a little bit ago. Was that you?" I could see she seemed to brighten at my question, it felt unnatural, like she was mimicking how a kid might brighten when you gave them praise. "Mhmm, but I got tired of my mommy and daddy and then I couldn't find Isaac or Mr. Giggles anywhere so I came to look for them." Did she really think those people were her mom and dad? Was this all some game to her? "I also read that maybe you saw some scary people with guns? Sophie, I have to ask, why did you hurt them?" The anomaly looked down like she had just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "I didn't want to …. but they tried to hurt me and Mr. Peek-A-Boo so I hurt them back and I made them go away. Just like I made those other men who want to hurt me go away." My blood ran cold as I heard her voice. I had been so focused on the monitor I had failed to notice the distinct lack of sound from behind me. I slowly turned and choked back a gasp. Grant and the agents behind me, they weren't just frozen. She had turned them into toys. Their skin, everything looked like plastic. They had become life-sized toy soldiers. "I'm getting bored. I'm going to come inside now." That was the last thing I heard before the blast doors began to groan.
The blast doors at Site-19 are rated to contain a nuclear detonation. They are also a secondary containment measure for SCP-682 in the event of a breach. Each door weighs approximately forty to fifty metric tons and is constructed from Telekill Alloy. On the monitor, she raised one hand and the doors crumpled like a sheet of paper someone had balled in their fist. There was no procedure for this kind of event so what happened next I take full responsibility but I was terrified.
It was hard not to be terrified of her after that. I'm not proud to admit that I soiled myself, but I did. The balled up door fell to the floor with a heavy thud and she stepped out from around it holding the rabbit in both hands. "Can I go see Isaac now?" All I could do was nod.
"Can, … can you describe Isaac to me? I want to make sure I take you right to him but I need to know who he is." It wasn't hard to talk to her, the closer she got the more relaxed and happier I started to feel. "He is like a puppy, but he also is like a crocodile." She pantomimed as she described the new anomaly. "But um he could look really different now. He is always getting into fights and being really grumpy."
"We have something like that here. It's hurt a few people. Similar to another rabbit we found, like the one you're holding. You called it Mr. Peek-A-Boo right?" She looked at the rabbit for a moment then back at me. "Mr. Giggles! Was he being bad again? I told him other people don't like his pranks. He's going in time-out later and I mean it this time." She looked back up at me. A genuine smile was on her face. "I'm really sorry for anything he did. I forgot to give him a heart like I gave Mr. Peek-A-Boo."
I pointed to the rabbit in her arms in disbelief. "Sophie, do you mean you made that rabbit? Did you make Isaac too?" She nodded her head. "Mister, can you take me to Isaac now? I'm getting really bored of waiting."
I didn't refuse her request to see the new anomaly. I'm not certain refusal would have had any practical effect, but more than that, I found I didn't want to refuse. I felt curious to see what would happen. Whatever she was, It was becoming increasingly harder to say no.
I told her I'd take her there myself. There was nothing more that I could do. I just mentally prepared myself that every step brought me closer to my execution.
The walk to Section █ was long. She walked beside me and asked lots of questions about the facility the way children usually ask. She didn't seem to consider whether they were appropriate or not.
"Why were the lights that color? What was behind that door? Was I scared when the lights went red? Is it lonely being here? Is it scary? Was I scared? Why did I pee myself?" I answered what I could, when it was appropriate.
When we reached the anomalies containment unit, I pressed my hand to the scanner. "The anomaly, I mean Isaac hurt a lot of people," I told her. "We've done things to it, sorry him, I'm not proud of. I want you to know that before you go in. We had to find some way to contain him. Even when he wasn't aggressive he has constantly found some way out of his containment. The last test was to contain it in acid." The containment doors slid open without an issue. My two overnight researchers looked up from their stations. "Sir, what's happening? Our radios are dead; we haven't been able to reach anyone. We heard something about 'Blind eye?' but nothing since then." That was when Sophie stepped into the room. "Sir, why is there a child with you?" I didn't answer them, I couldn't, I didn't even know how to. All I could do was give them a look that said "This is above your clearance level."
Sophie looked at me for a moment with an expression I couldn't fully read. What happened next I am recording as precisely as I can because I would not have believed it had I not seen it myself. She saw the tank and she stopped. "Isaac."
Her voice was very excited. It was the voice of a child who hadn't seen their pet in years. Then she simply walked through the containment doors and into the cell. I must stress, they were not deactivated, she simply walked right through them.
She raised her hand and the container collapsed the same way the blast doors had, folding outward without violence, simply ceasing to function as barriers. The hydrochloric acid poured across the floor and she walked into it without appearing to notice.
The anomaly did not attack. It moved toward her. It lowered its head, pressed the side of its face against the child's hand. Then it spoke.
"Mama. They hurt me so much, mama. I hate them. I hate all of them. I want to kill them all, mama. It hurts so bad, mama, please make the pain stop. Make the pain stop so I can taste their madness, please Mama."
She placed both hands against its side and we watched the damage reverse. Her voice when she responded was the most ordinary and horrific thing I had heard all night.
"I know, Isaac. I know. I'm here now. I'm not going to let them hurt you again." A pause. "But I need you to make me a promise. If they promise not to hurt you anymore, will you be good and not hurt them because I think they will be fun toys for us to play with? Then when their minds are all gooey, then you can, ok Isaac?"
The anomaly was quiet for a long moment.
"I promise, for you mama, I promise."
Sophie stepped out of the containment cell and approached me. She looked angry and upset. I watched as the faces of my two researchers began to run and distort like they were an oil painting that had been heated up. They were grasping at their faces; I couldn't do anything to end their suffering. I was terrified of what she would do to me next. "I want to take Isaac with me. I promise he won't hurt anyone." She was standing defiantly in front of me with her arms crossed and her face scrunched up. "I'm really sorry, Sophie, I don't think we can let Isaac leave just like that. Think of it like he's in a time out." I could see her face softening, I was breaking through. I had an idea. It would be unconventional but it could have been a way to keep her contained. "However, we might be able to let you stay here to check on him if that works. It's really dangerous, so we would have to make a room for you like Isaac has, but we have a really good kitchen. We have lots of ice cream and cookies and candies. If you make me a deal. You promise to be on your best behavior while you're here then I'll make sure to get you lots of candy and sweets. How is that?" Sophie held her hands behind her back and twisted her ankle against the ground for a few moments before she said. "Deal."
I stepped out of the room. My phone was already in my hand.
"This is Site Director ███████. The anomaly from the Site-79 incident has breached Site-19. I may have found a way to contain the anomaly. We may be looking at an Apollyon classification. The warheads failed and MTFs on site are down. I repeat, the warheads failed and MTFs on site are down. I need Clef and Glass for an immediate evaluation."
- CLOSE LOG
INTERVIEW LOG-01 SCP-9946
Item #: SCP-9946 ("Sophie")
Object Class: Archon
Interviewing Personnel: Site Director [REDACTED], Dr. Simon Glass, Dr. Alto Clef
Foreword: Initial evaluation of SCP-9946 conducted approximately twelve hours after the entity breached Site-19. Dr. Clef was present in his capacity as a localized reality anchor. Prior to the interview, Dr. Glass recommended he should lead the interview given prior issues with Clef and reality benders. Clef's objections were noted.
Site Director: Recorders are running. Good morning, Sophie. I brought chocolate chip cookies and a bowl of ice cream. How does cherry sound today? I have some people who want to talk to you for a bit, okay?
SCP-9946: (SCP-9946 closes her eyes briefly, and smiles before grabbing the bowl of ice cream and taking a bite.) Good morning, Director. Cherry tastes really, really good. (SCP-9946 glances at the door, then back.) Isaac and Mr. Peek-A-Boo said hi, by the way. Well, Isaac didn't; he's still being grumpy, but I think he meant to.
Dr. Glass: (He leans forward, a warm friendly smile on his face) Good morning, Sophie. Let me introduce myself; my name is Simon, and this is Alto. Director [REDACTED] said you have a room here now. Do you like it, or is there anything we can do to make it more cozy for you?
SCP-9946: (SCP-9946 nods enthusiastically, her legs are seen swinging beneath the table) I've never really had a room of my own before, it's super big too.
Dr. Glass: Wow, Sophie, that must have been really hard growing up without a room of your own. Can you tell me more about what it was like at your home?
SCP-9946: Well, my other siblings pick on me a lot 'cause I'm the youngest. My oldest brother is super mean and a big bully, but he hates everything. I don't really let it get to me because we're all super important in our own ways.
Dr. Glass: You must have a big family then, was that before the incident in Japan? How long ago was that?
SCP-9946: It was a super long time ago. After I left home I was super lonely and scared sometimes so I made Mr. Peek-A-Boo and Mr. Giggles and Isaac.
Dr. Glass: Mr. Peek-A-Boo is the one you came here last night with, right? Can you tell me more about him?
SCP-9946: Mr. Peek-A-Boo is really, really nice. He is really curious about lots of things so he is always watching people. I made him myself; I sew-did-did him all up and everything. I even made a little fabric brain inside him because I wanted him to be nice and kind and not like Mr. Giggles. (SCP-9946 pauses, she is quieter, she pushes the empty bowl of ice cream away and picks up a cookie) I think maybe that's why he's so curious. Because the big brain I gave him is so full to the top with lots of ideas. When I made Mr. Giggles, I forgot to make him one. That's why he can be bad sometimes. I made Isaac too, so I can have a puppy.
Dr. Glass: Sophie, I'd like to get back to what happened in Japan, the man and woman that were with you. They weren't your real mom and dad, right? Can you tell me a bit more about them? Did they make you feel sad or angry?
SCP-9946: (SCP-9946 shakes her head) No, they were really, really bad at being a mommy and daddy. I was going to make them go away and find a new mommy and daddy. Then the bad men showed up and took Isaac and Mr. Giggles away, so I wanted to come find them. I didn't expect to find so many new people to play with.
Dr. Clef: (Stands facing Glass) Glass, we're not getting anywhere here, and there are more important questions to be asking.
Dr. Glass: Alto, please trust the process and have a seat.
Dr. Glass: Sophie, do you know what happens when you make people go away or you turn them into toys like you did to the soldiers? Can they still talk or play after that?
SCP-9946: I don't know, I never really care 'cause I only do it if they try to hurt me or if I get bored.
Dr. Glass: I see. Sophie, sometimes our bodies can do things before we ever think about it. When you made people go away and you turned the soldiers into toys, did you mean to do that?
SCP-9946: Yeah, they were getting in the way of my fun.
Dr. Glass: Sophie, do you ever feel a certain way other than bored when it happens? Like happy, or sad, or angry?
SCP-9946: Well, I only get angry or sad when I'm bored, so I guess not?
Dr. Clef: Enough beating around the bush, Simon, I'm stepping in now. Listen, girlie, the shit you did. Those were good people, they didn't deserve what you did to them. So let me explain the situation you're in right now, because I don't think you fully understand. You were a nightmare to those people. But me? (Dr. Clef removes his hat placing it on the table. SCP-9946 looks at Dr. Clef strangely) I'm a monster to things like you. Your little tricks won't work as long as I'm around.
SCP-9946: (SCP-9946 visibly brightens) Oh! I get it. You must be the bad cop, and you're the good cop. I didn't know we were playing cops and robbers.
Dr. Clef: This isn't a fucking game. (Dr. Clef breathes before he points at his forehead) Do you like my eyes and my smile? It's so your kind understands how normal humans feel when you finally look into the face of a monster. You're going to start answering our questions and you can… (Dr. Clef is cut off as SCP-9946 begins to speak.)
SCP-9946: Sorry, Mr. Bad Cop, but I don't understand. Why did you point to your forehead? That's not where your eyes are, silly.
Dr. Clef: What? (His arms are crossed, he's watching with signs of visible disbelief. He pushes his sleeves up, pulling a revolver from his holster) Enough of this. Look at me! (Clef is showing signs of aggression directed at SCP-9946.) When I walk into a room with someone who bends reality, they always start feeling very ordinary, very fast. Why isn't my reality sink working on you? How can you see my face? (Clef shifts his attention to Site Director [REDACTED], not breaking eye contact with Sophie) What is going on here? What do the instruments say?
Dr. Glass: Alto, put the gun down! Let's not escalate this.
Site Director: All Kant monitoring equipment has been non-functional since shortly before she reached the perimeter last night. All units we've attempted to bring online since then have been unable to stay on a single number. Please, Alto, lower the gun.
Dr. Clef: (His voice has dropped further, each word sounds deliberately chosen.) That was before I was here, turn it on, tell me what it fucking says.
Site Director: (Site Director enables the Kant monitor, the readout begins rapidly cycling through various numbers unable to land on a specific count)
Dr. Clef: (He seems visibly shaken) I've nullified some of the most powerful reality benders in existence, gods even. So explain to me what you really are, what gives you the right and the power to snap reality like a twig. (Dr. Clef has cocked the hammer of the revolver.)
SCP-9946: (SCP-9946 pulls back in her chair, both hands are wrapped around her cookie, like a child instinctively recoiling when being yelled at. She shakes her head) I don't think you'd really like it if I told you.
Dr. Glass: It's okay, Sophie. Don't let him scare you.
Site Director: Alto, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF WHATEVER GOD YOU WORSHIP! Please put the gun down.
Dr. Clef: (Has gone completely still, but when he speaks the professional edge is entirely gone, replaced by something quieter and considerably more careful, drawing the attention of the room to him) You can see it, right now. That shouldn't be possible. (Dr. Clef lets out a manic laugh as he pulls the trigger.)
SCP-9946: (Seems to stand dramatically clutching her side before falling to the floor. Her tongue seems to be hanging out of her mouth)
Dr. Glass: (Rushes to SCP-9946 to check her)
Site Director: (Steps forward to Dr. Clef knocking the gun away) What the fuck do you think you're doing? Do you know how dangerous that could have been? What if that hadn't killed her?
SCP-9946: (Stands dramatically) Ta-Da! I got you really, really good. You play pretend really well and you're not boring at all. We should play lots and lots. (SCP-9946 looks to the ground) But I am sorry, if your face is really embarrassing, I didn't mean to upset you. I guess I can show you my face too, that way it makes us even-steven.
[AUDIO/VISUAL RECORDING FAILURE DETECTED: 09:14:22 AM]
Audio/visual loss registered at less than one second.
Duration reported by Dr. Clef: Indeterminate.
[RECORDING RESUMED: 09:14:23 AM]
Dr. Clef: (Dr. Clef's chair flies against the back wall. He then rapidly recoils from SCP-9946, his eyes fixed on the child unable to blink. His voice stripped of everything except a hollow, dead tone of pure, absolute terror that personnel present would later describe as the most frightening thing about the entire incident.) What are you?
Site Director: ([REDACTED] turns to look at Dr. Clef) Clef. Sit down right now.
Dr. Glass: (Dr. Glass moves quickly to Clef's side, his hand bracing Clef's arm, his voice low and measured.) Alto. Look at me. Breathe. You're having an acute stress response. A panic attack. Look at me.
Dr. Clef: (Dr. Clef is unable to look at either of them, his gaze remaining steadily on the child.) [REDACTED]. SHUT THE RECORDERS OFF! SHUT THEM OFF AND LOOK AT HER! Fucking look at what she- (Dr. Clef's words seem to die in his throat.)
SCP-9946: (SCP-9946 has picked her cookie back up. She takes a small, neat bite and looks at Dr. Clef with an expression of genuine and mild confusion.) Why are you shouting, mister? (There is a pause.) I already told you I'm just Sophie. I only want to go back and see Isaac, and Mr. Peek-A-Boo, and Mr. Giggles. (SCP-9946 speaks quietly, to no particular person.) Grown-ups are so weird sometimes.
Dr. Clef: (After a very long silence, Dr. Clef grabs onto Site Director [REDACTED]'s arms. His words were barely audible.) Call the O5 Council. You give her whatever the fuck she wants and then you pray she never gets bored. She's not a bender, she's a time bomb [REDACTED] a fucking time bomb.
The following excerpts are compiled from Dr. Clef's monthly post-incident debriefings, conducted by Dr. Glass via hypnotic recall between successive Class-E amnestic suppression treatments. These sessions were initiated at Dr. Clef’s explicit request; he has since been placed on indefinite leave from active field duty.
You and Director [REDACTED] stopped; you weren't breathing. [REDACTED]'s tie was even suspended in mid-air, frozen, like someone had hit pause. Then things changed around the room. Nothing immediately disappeared, but the walls, the table, even you and [REDACTED]; everything just bled out of reality, out of existence I think. Then it felt like I was standing in a room of some kind of dollhouse. She was standing there, across from me but she was also outside looking in. Both simultaneously but neither version was contradicted by the other; like two sides of a coin.
That was when she stood and I realized that the child I assumed was a reality bender was anything but. She started to walk to a closet that wasn't there before. I noticed it then more than during the interview. I don't want you to get the wrong idea, Simon; it wasn't that she transformed or her body changed. It was more like we had been looking at her through a filter she chose, but in that place the filter had its limits and she was gradually turning it off.
I've seen a lot and I mean a lot. You know that better than most, Simon. Even now recalling it I feel like I'm going mad again. I wanted to tear my eyes out then, I still do, the more I saw of her. I think I crossed over a line. No, no I think it's better to say she dragged me over a line I never wanted to cross again. I can still see what she truly is, but only when I'm not looking directly at her, Simon. It's a fucking game to her.
She was tall. Not tall for a child, taller even than me perhaps nine, maybe even ten feet tall. It was hard to gauge height or anything, it all seemed to bend and bow to accommodate her. She had to bend over to open the cupboard though, and she pulled out a teapot and a lantern and placed them both on the table between us before she sat on her knees across from me. I remember she didn't ask, but told me I had questions. I didn't even have to ask her, she simply knew my questions before even I did. She poured me tea, fucking tea. The first question she answered was the most pressing to me at the time. Was she a reality bender or what was happening?
She turned on the lantern as she explained. She told me to think of the light the lantern was casting as reality. She started making shadow puppets and told me those represented reality benders. They can add onto reality but reality itself still had its base form. Then she placed a piece of glass in front of the lantern and the light changed like a prism. She explained to me that us, humanity, the Foundation sees reality like it's a binary. That reality benders can add binary to the code to change how it reads but it's still binary. Reality itself changes to her, like it's changing to a hexadecimal code. Does that make sense, Simon? When she explained it, it all made perfect sense but now I'm struggling to recall it as she told me. I think the hypnotic is wearing off, Simon. I can't recall everything, it's getting fuzzier.
[Session ended per Dr. Clef's request]
[New session begins]
I was telling you about my questions last we spoke, and what she looked like, right? I'll keep her appearance as brief as I can, Simon. It wasn't something I want to remember if I can help it. I mentioned before she was tall, but it wasn't just that. She had eyes all over her body, they weren't always there. Some would close and look like her normal skin, others were always present. There were tails too, behind her that is. I couldn't count how many. They all kind of meshed together at times. She had wings too, they were folded so I can't tell you how big but I recall there were at least three sets. I mentioned before she was both in front of me and like she was looking into the room as well before. But there was a third version, I felt it the entire time but I only dared to look at it once. It was some sort of dog or better to say beast. It seemed like it was real, but in the same way a person in a dream feels real until you wake up. Its fur, or I guess more approximately its skin wasn't really solid. It was like it had been drawn in with a crayon by a child, but one that doesn't know how to stay within the lines. Its muzzle was wrong too, it was shaped like a lightning bolt, it had the same eyes she did as well. The beast, it was like a child had drawn a creature from their nightmares and it had been given flesh.
You wanted to know what else she told me, right? After she explained what reality was doing around her I asked what she wanted, why she looked like a child, why her speech didn't match. She said she wanted to be entertained. That everything was just amusing to her, like we were her toys. She explained to me that she is the youngest of a family, but she mimicked her speech from children. That's why she doesn't sound like she should, Simon. She's parroting children, making others see her as one, because to her it's more fun that way. She told me what she was doing here, Simon. So long as she is entertained, the rest of her family leaves her to play with her toys. If she got bored, then they might throw her toys away. She wants us to entertain her, Simon, in exchange for our continued existence. I tried to get what I could from her about her family, Simon. I really did, but it's slipping again, Simon. I'll try to be as quick as I can. There were ██ total in her family, including her. Each member of her family is a concept, each fundamentally tied to the core pillars of reality and life as we know it. Hers was knowledge. She explained it starts as curiosity, until eventually it grows into full on psychosis and madness. I can't keep going, Simon. I have to end here for today.
[Session ended per Dr. Clef's request]
[New session begins]
She had explained everything to me so matter-of-factly. I remember, I asked her why she told me all of this. I didn't expect her to let me live, I expected her to drive me insane. Perhaps in some ways she has. Ha, Simon, she told me she wouldn't hurt me because the Foundation would never accept this at face value. She said they will always seek to do more tests, to find some way to understand her, to contain her, and she will continue to play along. The Council, they are playing right into exactly what she wants. She finds it entertaining, like she's seasoning us to make us taste better and we are her favorite meal or toy or whatever she wants to label us as today. The funny part, Simon, was that she was right. I won't be a part of it anymore, there are still anomalies out there, I won't stop doing my job but the rest of the information up here? It's being burned, I don't give a rat's ass what the Council demands, I won't say another word about the rest of what she told me, Simon. I will tell you this, if she gets bored, make peace with whatever god you worship because it won't be quick.
[Session ended per Dr. Clef's request]
Closing Statement: Following Interview-01 SCP-9946, Dr. Clef requested an immediate reassignment and indefinite leave of absence from all active field duty. Approved without standard review.
Per joint emergency directive by remaining personnel, Site Director [REDACTED] and Dr. Glass, SCP-9946 has been formally classified as Archon.
- CLOSE ADDENDUM
Following the O5 Council's review of Dr. Clef's debriefing, an Annex has been established ██ KM from Site ██. SCP-9946 has been moved to this annex permanently. The Annex will act as a special, isolated containment cell. SCP-9946 has been given a modified analog wristwatch containing a GPS tracker by Site Director [REDACTED] as a method of tracking her movements. Onsite staff are instructed to strictly maintain the facility under the guise of a residential sector. Traditional containment barriers and armed guard towers have been established to deter external visitors.
- CLOSE ADDENDUM
Despite explicit warnings from Dr. Clef's post-incident briefing, a routine examination of SCP-9946 was approved by the O5 Council to acquire a baseline genetic profile. Medical intern Robert Collins was instructed to perform a standard blood draw from SCP-9946 while she was asleep. The following audio/visual log was recovered from the chamber's primary monitoring suite.
[LOG-01 BEGINS]
00:12:43 Intern Collins approaches SCP-9946 and knocks on the door. SCP-9946 does not respond and the Intern enters the room.
00:14:58 Intern Collins takes a seat next to SCP-9946 as she sleeps on the bed. Intern Collins prepares a syringe.
00:15:24 Intern Collins attempts to insert the needle into the right forearm of SCP-9946.
00:15:25 SCP-9946 can be heard saying: "Ow, that hurts."
00:15:26 Intern Collins stands frantically from the chair. They are seen shaking the needle from their hand, however the needle appears to be growing larger and is attached to their hand.
00:15:30 Intern Collins vocalizes distress. Visual feeds show what appears to be the Intern's outer epidermis rapidly losing its pigmentation and changing texture into a burlap appearance.
00:15:48 The intern's body structure becomes slightly more bulky, their facial features flatten out and are drawn inward.
00:15:59 The intern's eyes are replaced by two mismatched, oversized wooden buttons.
00:16:02 The intern takes two steps before their body falls to the ground limp.
00:18:35 SCP-9946 rolls over in her sleep.
[END LOG]
An attempt to confirm the additional forms described by Dr. Clef or obtain additional information regarding the anomaly's plan was made before the O5 Council discontinued further tests.
Lead Researcher Phillip Derringer recorded this final unsanctioned attempt before his resignation.
[LOG-11 BEGINS]
17:53:23 The anomaly and Dr. Derringer are sitting across from each other. He asks if the anomaly can show him her additional forms.
18:04:10 The anomaly is hesitant at first before agreeing.
18:04:11 There is a brief overlay of static and the recording cuts out.
18:04:12 Dr. Derringer appears to have removed his eyes and is seen laughing.
18:04:54 Dr. Derringer's body slacks in his chair due to assumed blood loss, as the anomaly gets up to shake him. The anomaly is noted as growing upset similar to the ten prior D-Class personnel tests. There is a brief overlay of static and the recording cuts out once more.
18:04:55 The recording resumes, Dr. Derringer appears to have been torn in half with a large jagged bite mark in his mid-section. The room itself also appears to have been destroyed with claw marks around the floor and walls. The anomaly begins throwing a tantrum.
18:16:43 Site Director removes SCP-9946 from the observation room while personnel can dispose of the body as the anomaly begins to grow upset. The anomaly calms down once given a lollipop.
Closing note: By order of the O5 Council, no further involuntary testing is to be attempted on SCP-9946 without direct approval. The entity SCP-9946-4 (formerly known as Robert Collins) has been placed on a shelf in SCP-9946's unit at her explicit request. She has named it "Mister Needles." Testing on this new anomaly showed no signs of life, or organic DNA.
- CLOSE ADDENDUM
In the event that SCP-9946 exhibits signs of severe boredom, emotional distress, or a tantrum, onsite personnel are to execute Protocol "Lullaby" immediately without deviation.
Phase I: (Culinary Pacification) Personnel are to immediately supply SCP-9946 with any requested confections, candies, and/or treats. Under no circumstances are personnel to ration, delay, or deny these requests. Containment is contingent on maintaining her active emotional stability and passive amusement.
Phase II: (Psychological Baseline) Current onsite psychologists are to enter the chamber immediately to act as a primary psychological anchor. Personnel are to maintain the artificial guise of familial safety and emotional validation. Onsite staff have been provided a localized, standard-issue cyanide capsule. In the event that Phase II fails and a catastrophic emotional breach begins, staff are ordered to calmly excuse themselves from her immediate line of sight and retreat to a secure room before consuming the capsule. Under no circumstances are personnel to permit SCP-9946 to witness their death or distress, as the Foundation cannot risk her processing the loss of custodial figures and triggering a potential global event.
Phase III: (Surrender) In the event of a catastrophic emotional spike or active breakdown where Phase II fails, the O5 Council will initiate Contingency [DATA EXPUNGED]. Personnel are advised to cease all containment efforts and spend their remaining time with family. May God have mercy on us.
Footnotes
1. Following the containment breach documented at Site-19 and the information discovered, the black rabbit recovered during the [REDACTED] event hereto referenced as Mr. Giggles, has been recategorized as SCP-9946-1.
2. Following the containment breach documented at Site-19 and the information discovered, the white rabbit recovered during the [REDACTED] event hereto referenced as Mr. Peek-A-Boo, has been recategorized as SCP-9946-2.
3. Following the containment breach documented at Site-19 and the information discovered, the raccoon-like anomaly recovered during the [REDACTED] event hereto referenced as Isaac, has been recategorized as SCP-9946-3.
4. As Dr. Clef was the only witness to these supposed forms, the O5 Council is currently speculating on if they were real or potentially a hallucination during Dr. Clef's mental break.
5. Risus sardonicus is a critical medical symptom involving sustained, painful facial muscle spasms. It forces the face into a fixed, unnatural grin with raised eyebrows and an open mouth, mimicking an expression of malice or mania rather than actual happiness.
6. Later examination of the rifles showed no Hume readings and no ammunition seemed to have been consumed.
7. Protocol Blind Eye is a unique protocol at Site-19. Due to the presence of various ontological anomalies as well as various Keter-class anomalies, if Site-19 experiences a site-wide surveillance and ontological blackout, the entire facility will enter lockdown. Both Telekill alloy blast doors and Scranton reality anchors will automatically deploy around the site. A nuclear warhead primed beneath the site will begin its detonation sequence. Non-essential onsite personnel are instructed to make their way to a secure bunker, while task force agents ensure nothing is able to enter or leave the site.