Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is currently located at Site ██, a small hotel constructed by the Foundation approximately 17 km from Narrabri, Australia. The hotel contains one (1) entrance lobby, a dining area, and sixteen (16) guest rooms in total, all with appropriate furnishings. The hotel is to be staffed by no less than six (6) Foundation personnel at all times, including two (2) on-site security guards and four (4) researchers to maintain the premises. Foundation researchers are required to possess training in psychology and human medicine. Rooms are to be occupied by D-Class personnel as determined by site researchers Following Incident XXXX-1, all guest rooms must be occupied overnight, each day, by at least one (1) D-Class personnel for the purposes of attracting and securing SCP-XXXX. Site personnel must be regularly tested for memetic influence, and are to be transferred off-site if necessary.

Should containment procedures be consistently executed, the SCP's expected area of influence is approximately 250m2. In the event of containment failure, its influence may reach a wider area, allowing it to escape and threaten population centers, public facilities, and other Foundation sites. Site researchers are advised to execute Protocol-203 "Sandman" to prevent SCP-XXXX from reaching any population center larger than a small town. In the event of successful execution of Protocol-203 "Sandman", site supervisor ██████ may authorize immediate deployment of MTF Pi-1 "City Slickers" to contain the SCP.

Description: SCP-XXXX is an entity with a humanoid physique. As it has only manifested in environments with minimal lighting, and seems to absorb visible-spectrum radiation, no detailed description of SCP-XXXX’s appearance can be provided. The exceptions are its two eyes, which glow despite spectroscopic analysis suggesting that no visible light is emitted. Testing suggests SCP-XXXX only opens its eyes when it is incapacitating instances of SCP-XXXX-2 that undergo escalated memetic contact.

SCP-XXXX manifests itself in any structure or equivalent area which contains at least one (1) bed, termed SCP-XXXX-1, used by at least one (1) individual, termed SCP-XXXX-2. SCP-XXXX-2 is invariably awake, and often performing an action which generates loud noise(s) or otherwise hints at a state of fully conscious action. While there seems to be no pattern as to its manifestations, controlled tests have determined that it seems to prefer appearing near individuals that experience, or have experienced, mild to severe nyctophobia.

Whenever SCP-XXXX appears, it will immediately seek out SCP-XXXX-2. It has shown itself to be capable of successfully reaching SCP-XXXX-2 regardless of any obstruction, including locked doors/windows and walls. However, if it is able to choose, it will always make use of the least-destructive approach, apparently intending not to disturb any other occupants of SCP-XXXX-1. Removal of SCP-XXXX-2 from SCP-XXXX-1 does not deter it, instead resulting in increased effort to reach SCP-XXXX-2; the effort exhibited by SCP-XXXX is directly proportionate to the distance between SCP-XXXX-1 and SCP-XXXX-2.

The only known method of safely deterring SCP-XXXX without adverse effects requires SCP-XXXX-2 returning to the bed in which they were sleeping, and immediately acting as if they are experiencing any stage of the sleep cycle or attempting to return to sleep. It will proceed to approach SCP-XXXX-2 and observe them for a brief period no longer than 10 seconds; the following list describes degree of contact and SCP-XXXX's behavior:

+Display contact scenarios+ +-Display contact scenarios-+ No contact – SCP-XXXX is successfully deceived. After observation period, SCP-XXXX will promptly exit the immediate vicinity and disappear until another instance of SCP-XXXX-2 manifests. No side effects of any nature have been recorded in these particular instances of SCP-XXXX-2. Contact – SCP-XXXX discovers SCP-XXXX-2 attempting to return to rest. The entity will attempt to make SCP-XXXX-2 comfortable before disappearing as normal. The exact method used varies per circumstances; see "Experiment Log - XXXX" for more details. Additionally, instances of SCP-XXXX-2 will, upon awakening, exhibit behavior concurrent with mild nyctophobia for fourteen (14) hours. Responses to questioning suggest feeling anxious when faced with dark spaces, citing reasons used by nyctophobic children. Escalated contact – SCP-XXXX discovers SCP-XXXX-2 in bed, but not returning to rest. SCP-XXXX will position SCP-XXXX-2’s head so that their mouth and/or nose is exposed, then exhale what remote analysis suggests is [REDACTED], which rapidly incapacitates SCP-XXXX-2. Instances of SCP-XXXX-2 recover whilst exhibiting moderate-severe symptoms of nyctophobia, as well as extreme reluctance to sleep without some form of illumination (i.e. light source in the immediate area/next room). This behaviour lasts for four (4) days, after which symptoms gradually disappear over the course of three (3) days. Escalated memetic contact – SCP-XXXX discovers SCP-XXXX-2 out of bed. Should it encounter SCP-XXXX-2 – be it within SCP-XXXX-1 or otherwise – it will forgo an observation period and release the same sleeping gas as used for direct contact, immediately incapacitating SCP-XXXX-2. SCP-XXXX’s eyes are opened and make direct eye contact during the process, and it is believed that they transmit a memetic agent responsible for further deleterious effects. Effects include prolonged drowsiness regardless of sleep pattern, vivid visual-auditory hallucinations perceived within dark spaces, and constant nightmares.

Chronic insomnia and hallucinations induced by SCP-XXXX may cause further mental health complications, and can be treated with appropriate doses of benzodiazepine sedatives and haloperidol antipsychotics administered daily. Instances of SCP-XXXX-2 who suffer protracted deleterious effects from nightmares (e.g. reduced morale, impaired judgement) may make requests to site supervisors for Class-B amnesiacs.

In order to prevent collateral damage - ranging from several civilian casualties to hazardous international events (i.e. war, economic collapse) - instances of SCP-XXXX-2 that hold significant power (e.g. politicians, military officials, Foundation personnel) are to be monitored closely by the Foundation. Affected non-Foundation personnel who risk causing harm/damage to non-Foundation peoples and assets, or threaten the secrecy of the Foundation and/or the containment of known SCPs, will be terminated and replaced. Foundation personnel affected by SCP-XXXX are advised to seek psychological treatment, with amnestics available upon request as outlined above. Failure to treat symptoms of SCP-XXXX interaction will serve as grounds for demotion to D-class, expulsion from the Foundation, or termination as deemed fit by site personnel and the O5.

Experiment Log - XXXX:

Foreword: All experiment log entries are to be written in the following format:

Test Number: Self-explanatory.

SCP-XXXX-2:" A brief summary of the individual(s) used in the test, including background and psychological profile.

SCP-XXXX-2 Activity: Outline the activity/activities performed by SCP-XXXX-2 instances.

Outcome: Describe SCP-XXXX's reaction to SCP-XXXX-2 instances, and state of SCP-XXXX-2 instances post-test.

Comments: Written observations made by site researchers.

Addendum XXXX: Incident XXXX-1 concerned containment failure of SCP-XXXX on 13/12/19██, following heated email correspondence between a site researcher and the site supervisor. A selection of emails discussing containment of SCP-XXXX and the subsequent breach are presented below.