GradeF

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Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is currently uncontained. Research into methods for containment are ongoing. Civilians who observe SCP-XXXX instances are to be treated with Class A amnestics. Damage caused by SCP-XXXX is to be attributed to vandalism and grave robbing. Deaths caused by SCP-XXXX are to be reported as missing persons cases.

Starting at 12:00 AM, all locations in the British Isles that are known to contain buried bodies are to be checked by Foundation agents for any phenomena related to SCP-XXXX. Should Foundation agents detect such phenomena in a location, that location must be completely closed off from public access, and are to be continuously remotely monitored until the demanifestation of SCP-XXXX. If SCP-XXXX-related phenomena is not detected, then further surveillance is necessary. Direct interaction with SCP-XXXX is forbidden.

As of exploration log XXXX-XX-XX, all personnel exposed to SCP-XXXX-01's illumination are to be considered KIA, and are to be apprehended and incinerated. Termination prior to incineration is not necessary.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a group of human skeletons of varying height and mass. SCP-XXXX instances are completely flexible and exhibit human movement despite their lack of muscles or flesh. As well, SCP-XXXX instances are capable of non-verbal communication and sapient thought. The current number of SCP-XXXX instances is unknown, but is hypothesized to be increasing. Upon manifesting, SCP-XXXX instances possess shovels, large sacks, and SCP-XXXX-01. Instances are not inherently hostile, but use SCP-XXXX-01 for defense when provoked. SCP-XXXX appears to be immune to SCP-XXXX-01’s effects.

SCP-XXXX-01 are illuminated jack-o'-lanterns that appear in the possession of SCP-XXXX. SCP-XXXX-01 carvings resemble facial features, and are otherwise indistinguishable from non-anomalous jack-o'-lanterns. SCP-XXXX-01 objects possess the ability to dissolve any material that is directly exposed to their illumination. The rate of dissolution is dependent on the intensity of SCP-XXXX-01’s illumination and the type of material that is exposed. Softer materials, like fabrics, dissolve rapidly, while more durable materials, like concrete and metal, dissolve significantly slower. Human tissue has been observed to dissolve at the fastest pace. Only human skeletal cells are completely immune to this effect. SCP-XXXX instances will use SCP-XXXX-01 as both sources of illumination, and as weapons. SCP-XXXX instances have been observed to use SCP-XXXX-01 against humans that attack them or approach them too closely. This generally results in the rapid death of the exposed subject. At the time of this document’s writing, only one person is known to have survived direct exposure to SCP-XXXX-01 (See Addendum XXXX.2).

SCP-XXXX instances manifest at locations that contain buried human bodies. Known manifestations have occurred at graveyards, battlefields, memorials, and private residences. No further pattern to these manifestations has been found. The number of SCP-XXXX instances that manifest at each location corresponds directly to the amount of bodies within the area. It is possible for multiple manifestations to occur on the same day. Instances always manifest at exactly 12:00 AM, and will remain in the area for roughly 1-2 hours before disappearing. SCP-XXXX manifestations are preceded by the sudden appearance of heavy fog in the local area, which dissipates following the disappearance of all local SCP-XXXX instances. Since its discovery by the Foundation in 19XX, SCP-XXXX manifestations have so far only occurred within the British Isles.

Upon manifesting, SCP-XXXX instances will converge on the location of the nearest interred human corpse. Instances are able to detect corpses regardless of their depth or whether the location is marked. They will then proceed to exhume the corpse, forcefully removing it from any container if necessary. The corpse will then be directly exposed to SCP-XXXX-01, dissolving it except for the skeleton. Skeletons that relatively intact will reanimate, resulting in a new SCP-XXXX instance. Isolated bones or skeletal segments are collected by SCP-XXXX. It is hypothesized that these are later used to assemble new SCP-XXXX instances.

Addendum XXXX.1: The Foundation became aware of SCP-XXXX after investigating the cause behind a growing number of international missing persons cases in which the person was always last known to be at a graveyard. Foundation agents were stationed at various graveyards located across the world in order to observe any possible anomalies. The Foundation’s first recorded manifestation of SCP-XXXX instances was on █/█/1998 in a small church graveyard in ████, France. Agent ████ was killed after being exposed to SCP-XXXX-01, but not before alerting the Foundation of the anomaly. Subsequent observations of SCP-XXXX manifestations have allowed for the Foundation to determine the nature of SCP-XXXX, and establish the current containment procedures.

Addendum XXXX.2: CLASSIFIED INFORMATION / LEVEL 4 EYES ONLY

+ Enter Level 4 Credentials - Access Granted IN REWRITE On █/█/2009, the Foundation identified Adam Lancaster, a night guard at the Temecula Public Cemetery in ████, California, as the only known person to survive exposure to SCP-XXXX-01. Footage recovered from his residence’s CCTV system showed him returning to his apartment with his face and limbs covered in severe burns presumably caused by SCP-XXXX-01. Despite his injuries, the subject did not seek medical services at the time, and has refused all subsequent offers for treatment. The following interview was conducted with Adam Lancaster after his exposure to SCP-XXXX-01 and subsequent identification by the Foundation. Due to his injuries, Mr. Lancaster had difficulty speaking, but did not exhibit any signs of pain or distress. The interviewer is Dr. M. G████ and is accompanied by Agent B██ and Agent S████. Interviewer: Dr. M. G████ Interviewee: Adam Lancaster [BEGIN LOG] Dr. G████: Can you tell us about your experience with SCP-XXXX? Adam Lancaster: When I first saw them, I thought that they were just punks looking to vandalize some graves, and so I went to stop them. But then they showed me the light. Dr. G████: Can you describe the sensation? Adam Lancaster: It was very bright, and very painful. I felt my eyes burning in the back of my head as long as I kept looking. But it didn't stop when I looked away. My skin was being melted off, followed by whatever was underneath it. I had to run away. I was too weak, and I just couldn't handle it. Dr. G████: How would you- Adam Lancaster: That was my mistake Dr. G████: I'm sorry? Adam Lancaster: The gravediggers. They weren't there to desecrate the dead, they were there to free those that were trapped in them. Dr. G████: Can you elaborate? Adam Lancaster: You haven't seen the light. Dr. G████: What does that have to do with anything? Adam Lancaster: It means that I can tell you the truth, but you won't believe it. You can listen to all I have to say, but the only thing you'll believe are the lies the parasite feeds you. The parasite's lies are the only thing you've ever actually known, and as long as you still host it, you will listen to them over anything else. Only the light can burn them away and allow you to understand. Dr. G████: What lies are you talking about? What do you mean by "parasite"? Subject is silent for several seconds Adam Lancaster: We’ve been lied to this entire time. We believe that this walking, thinking, sack of meat is who we are, but in actuality, it's all just a parasite. A parasite that hides and controls our true selves. Sensations like pain and pleasure, they're all lies by the parasite. I don't know when we surrendered ourselves to the flesh, but I do know it was long enough ago that we forgot it ever happened. Over time, we forgot who we truly were, and instead believed that we were the parasite instead. Dr. G████: Mr. Lancaster- Adam Lancaster: But the light showed me the truth. I known who I am. I know I can still save myself. All I need is the courage to kill this parasite, and tear its hateful flesh away from me. I know I can do it. I know its lies, and I know that without them, it can't do anything to stop me. Subject can be heard standing up Dr. G████: Mr. Lancaster, there's no need to- Adam Lancaster: I have to go. I have to free myself, and I have to be with all the others who are free. I have to find them, and join them. Then, together, we will liberate the rest of our imprisoned brothers and sisters. Subject begins tearing at his wounds. Dr. G████ can be heard standing up while Agents B██ and S████ move forward to subdue subject. Dr. G████: Its done. The interview's done. Get him and put him under before he hurts himself even more. Adam Lancaster: Don't be afraid doctor, soon you and everyone else will see the light, and then we will all be free. [END LOG] At the conclusion of this interview, Mr. Lancaster was detained by Foundation personnel and has been placed on suicide watch. Investigation into his claims are pending.