SCP-020 was first encountered in [REDACTED], where an 
undercover SCP agent noted dramatic personality changes in 
personnel working at the local hospital. Upon investigation by a 
containment team, it was discovered that almost _ civilians had 
been infected, as well as a majority of the town. The civilian 
population was terminated, and the town incinerated under cover of 
a local flash forest fire. 


To date, over 12 outbreaks of SCP-020 have been reported. 
Investigations are currently underway to determine the source of 
these outbreaks and possible preventative measures. 


Addendum 020-01: Excerpts from the audio/video mission 
recorders of Mobile Task Force Eta-10 ("See No Evil") during the 
initial containment of SCP-020 on [REDACTED]. 


T2-Lead: Team Two moving to the red house. 
T2-COM: Copy, UAV One is picking up one heat 
signature. 


T2-Lead: Team Two in place, ready to br— [Expletive]! 
T2-2: Door opening! 


At this point, a civilian woman appeared in the doorway, 
holding a kitchen knife. Video surveillance showed that 
nearly two-thirds of her face was covered by mold 
growths. 


Civilian Woman: Well... hello there, gentlemen... care 
to take a breather inside? 

T2-Lead: On the ground! Drop the weapon! 

Civilian Woman: Don't be silly! Come on in and... stay a 
while... 


T2-Lead: Stop where you are! DROP THE WEAPON! 
Civilian Woman: We... we just want to have some 
guests... please... come in... 

T2-2: Drop the [Expletive] weapon! 


It is assumed that at this point, the infected civilian 
noticed T2-4 carrying a primed incendiary weapon, and 
lunged forward at the team members with the knife. 


Civilian Woman: [DATA EXPUNGED] 
T2-Lead: Open fire, open fire! 


Gunfire, screaming. 


« SCP-019 | SCP-020 | SCP-021 » 


SCP-021: Skin Wyrm 


Item #: SCP-021 
Object Class: Safe 


Special Containment Procedures: SCP-021 is an obligate parasite 
of the human body. Containment, therefore, is no more difficult than 
containing an adult human; most cells will suffice. Item is currently 
housed in detention cell 217-A on subject D-139. Only class D 
personnel are eligible for hosting SCP-021. As long as a given 
subject survives as a host for SCP-021, he is exempt from normal 
monthly terminations of class D personnel. 


Description: SCP-021 takes the form of a large and elaborate 
tattoo of a serpentine dragon in the oriental style, covering 
approximately 0.8 square meters of skin. This tattoo is fully animate 
within the confines of its host's skin and behaves largely as a normal 
animal would, albeit in only two dimensions. The tattoo's movement 
causes constant pain to its host, comparable and similar in character 
to simultaneous tattooing and tattoo removal on a large scale. The 
organism tends to spend most of its time on and near the torso. 
SCP-021 displays no intelligence beyond a basic pattern of feeding 
and locomotion, although actually measuring the intelligence of a 
two-dimensional life-form has proven impossible thus far. 


SCP-021 appears to feed exclusively on pigments in the host's skin. 
This can include melanin, in which case the subject appears to be 
suffering from vitiligo. However, the organism shows a marked 
preference for other tattoos and will seek out and devour these 
before resorting to natural pigments. It should be noted that the 
feeding process itself, beyond the sensation of movement, is 
painless; normal tattoo ink simply vanishes as it is ‘eaten’. The 
organism maintains a constant size, and no excretions have been 
observed. The organism is capable of clearing over 0.6 square 
meters of skin per hour. One may ‘feed' SCP-021 by (quickly) 
tattooing fruits or small animals on the host. 


SCP-021 can be transferred between hosts by various forms of 
physical contact, with differing rates of success. In the case of 
successful transfer, the organism simply 'swims' from one person to 
the other. Sexual intercourse appears to be the most reliable 
method of transfer, with a 93% rate of transmission. However, due 
to the severe pain involved, this is less than ideal. Contact between 
two open wounds is generally preferable. Transfer is more 
complicated in deceased subjects, though not unreasonably so; the 
organism suffers no ill effects from the death of its host and 
continues to consume pigments. Transmission between species is 
unknown; previous tests suggest it to be either impossible or 
exceedingly rare. 


SCP-021 does confer some benefits to its host. The tattoo has been 
proven to accelerate the release and re-uptake of epinephrine and 
decrease lactic acid buildup, providing boosts of strength, 
confidence, and pain tolerance in stressful situations and reducing 
the usual after-effects of weakness and fatigue. In addition, the 
tattoo seems to have some beneficial effect on the host's immune 
system. Aggression profiles in hosts are generally higher than 
average, though whether this is a direct effect of the tattoo or simply 
a reaction to the constant pain remains to be seen. 


The symbiotic relationship is usually limited by how long the host 
can tolerate such pain in everyday life. This has culminated in 
suicide in a number of subjects. In rare cases, hosts have also fallen 
victim to fatal skin infections. 


SCP-021's origins and nature are a mystery. Tracing its 
transmission from host to host is hardly feasible within the confines 
of secrecy, and the organism could well be hundreds of years old, if 
not more. Nevertheless, SCP-021's captivity is one of the longest in 
the Foundation's history at nearly [DATA EXPUNGED] years, and 
has been very educational thus far. Current research focuses mainly 
on observing the characteristics of life in two dimensions. 


« SCP-020 | SCP-021 | SCP-022 » 


SCP-022: The Morgue 


Image of SCP-022 through security camera. 


Item #: SCP-022 
Object Class: Euclid 


Special Containment Procedures: A vault door has been installed 
following Incident 022-827 to seal SCP-022. It is to remain locked at 
all times, with the sole exception being the appearance of an 
instance of SCP-022-1. The original door to SCP-022 was destroyed 
during Incident 022-827, with attempts at replacement being met 
with failure. Security cameras have been installed to monitor for 
instances of SCP-022-1. 


In the event that an instance of SCP-022-1 appears, automated 
systems should incinerate it the moment it leaves SCP-022. At this 
point the vault door may be unlocked to admit cleanup crews. 
Should the automated systems fail to destroy the instance of 
SCP-022-1, response teams are cleared to enter and neutralize it. 
Under no circumstances may any living human enter SCP-022 
except at the order of Class-4 personnel for testing purposes. 
Class-4 personnel may also order instances of SCP-022-1 to be 
captured and held; however, they may not be removed from 
SCP-022 containment facilities. 


Description: SCP-022 is a morgue in the basement of 
[REDACTED] Hospital in Great Britain. Until 198 , there were no 
reported anomalous occurrences within the morgue. Reports of 
strange activity were first received in November of 198 . The area 
was soon quarantined by the Foundation, with an official story being 
released that the entire building had been condemned. The reason 
for the sudden manifestation of its strange properties remains under 
investigation. 


Periodically, a random drawer within the morgue will open to reveal 


a cadaver under a covered sheet. After approximately six minutes 
open, the cadaver will animate and attempt to leave the morgue. At 
this point, the cadaver is given the designation SCP-022-1. In some 
cases the cadaver will be too damaged or decomposed to 
successfully exit SCP-022 or even rise from the table it lies on. In 
this case, SCP-022-1 will typically struggle and twitch on the table 
until expiration occurs. Should an instance of SCP-022-1 expire 
while remaining on the table, the table slides back into the drawer, 
which then shuts. Reports indicate that the scent of burnt tissue is 
evident immediately following such an event. 


The energy source that sustains instances of SCP-022-1 is currently 
unknown. Instances do not breathe, eat, or sleep, and their bodies 
produce no heat. Analysis of SCP-022-1 following expiration has 
discovered no abnormal organs or chemicals present; they appear 
to be fully human cadavers. 


Instances also possess physical strength that exceeds that of 
normal humans. Though direct testing has proven problematic, 
researchers estimate the strength increase to be approximately 

500 N (112 Ib) of lifting force greater than what one would expect of 
a human body sharing a similar condition. Analysis is underway to 
determine if this effect is connected to the unknown power source or 
if itis an entirely separate phenomenon. 


When body parts are severed from SCP-022-1, the portion with the 
greatest mass retains its effects; all other pieces become inert. 
Destruction of the head or brain does not neutralize SCP-022-1; 
instead, the lower torso and limbs remain animate. Complete tissue 
destruction appears to be the only method of successfully 
terminating instances of SCP-022-1. Left alone, instances of 
SCP-022-1 will simply expire; all motion ceases and they appear to 
become normal cadavers again. The amount of time this takes 
depends on how damaged the body is and the rate of 
decomposition, and can take anywhere between two days and three 
weeks. 


Investigation has revealed that the bodies acting as SCP-022-1 
match the description of cadavers reported to have been stolen from 
morgues across the country. The mechanism for this transfer is 
currently being researched. 


Adding any new matter to SCP-022 has thus far proved impossible. 
Any object that enters SCP-022 disappears shortly after passing 
through the door, leaving no trace. This includes inanimate objects 
and biological specimens. See Addendum 022-001 and 022-002. 


So long as an instance of SCP-022-1 possesses a functioning 
mouth, tongue, and trachea, it is able to communicate fully with 
researchers. See Interview Log 022-751 for details. 


Addendum 022-001: A request has been submitted to create a new 
entrance to SCP-022 by removing a portion of the South wall. 
Request pending approval. 


Addendum 022-002: A pile of matter was discovered on the floor of 
the room directly above SCP-022. It appeared to contain all matter 
that had been sent into SCP-022, with the exception of humans. All 
materials appeared broken and worn down. Metallic components 
were covered in large amounts of rust, with all biological parts being 
in various stages of decomposition. Testing revealed that the time 
between inserting an object into SCP-022 and it reappearing above 
to be precisely 183 seconds. Humans who enter, however, do not 
appear in said pile. Instead, humans appear to become integrated 
into the morgue, and may later animate as instances of SCP-022-1. 


« SCP-021 | SCP-022 | SCP-023 » 


Interview Log 022-751 


Each of the following interviews begin in much the same way; the 
instance of SCP-022-1 will typically be hysterical until Foundation 
personnel are able to calm/restrain them. These portions have been 
omitted. 


Date: March , 198 
Interviewee: SCP-022-1-2 
Interviewer: Dr. 


Notes: SCP-022-1-2 was the second instance of SCP-022-1 that 
the Foundation discovered, the first having been destroyed on sight 
by Foundation agents. SCP-022-1-2 had the body of an Asian male, 
approximately 54 years old. Its chest had been stitched up, evidence 
of an autopsy. 


[BEGIN LOG] 
Dr. : Please identify yourself. 


SCP-022-1-2: My...my name is John . What...what 
the hell is going on? 


Dr. : That's what we're trying to figure out, John. How 
did you get to this... state? 


SCP-022-1-2: |... | don't know. | was driving my car... 
coming home from...never mind. | was driving, and | 
crashed. 


Dr. : Then what happened? 


SCP-022-1-2: Nothing! | woke up here! Please...this has 
to be [unintelligible]. 


Dr. : So you remember being in a car accident, then 
woke up here in the morgue? Do you have any idea how 
you got here? 


SCP-022-1-2: | didn't get here! Don't you get it! This isn't 
me! I'm not me! 


Dr. : What do you mean, "you aren't you"? 


At this point SCP-022-1-2 became severely agitated and 
had to be physically restrained. This required six agents, 
due to the strength increase associated with instances of 
SCP-022-1. Eventually SCP-022-1-2 was calmed and 
the interview proceeded. 


Dr. : Now, would you please explain what you 
meant? 


SCP-022-1-2: This. Is. Not. Me. | saw my reflection in the 
steel. I'm not some old Asian fuck! This isn't me! 


[END LOG] 


Following the last statement, SCP-022-1-2 began to smash its head 
against the wall. Once further restrained, it began to scream 
unintelligibly for several hours before falling silent. It continued to 
struggle, though apparently unable to speak, for an additional six 
days until it finally ceased motion. During this time it continued 
decomposing at a natural rate. An examination of the body following 
this interview was unable to determine a cause of death, as many of 
the internal organs had been removed. The only injury that did not 
appear to be a result of a previous surgery/autopsy was a damaged 
trachea. 


Date: March , 198 
Interviewee: SCP-022-1-5 
Interviewer: Dr. 


Notes: SCP-022-1-5 animated shortly after D-5619 was sent into 
SCP-022 and subsequently disappeared. SCP-022-1-5 had the 


body of an approximately 12-year-old female, missing its right arm 
and a large portion of its torso. Following the incident with 
SCP-022-1-3, all instances of SCP-022-1 are physically restrained 
before being introduced to valuable personnel, with SCP-022-1-5 
being no exception. 


[BEGIN LOG] 

Dr. : Please state your name. 
SCP-022-1-5: What did you bastards do to me? 
Dr. : Please state your name. 
SCP-022-1-5: What the fuck did you do to me?! 


Dr. : We have done nothing to you, now please state 
your name. 


SCP-022-1-5: You know who | fucking am! 
Dr. : Refresh my memory then, please. 


SCP-022-1-5: |'m the guinea pig you just fucked up. 
Don't tell me you forgot me, Dr. Asshole. 


Dr. :...are you D-5619? 


SCP-022-1-5: In the flesh. And for your information, 
jackass, my name is [REDACTED]! Now change me 
back you son of a bitch! Change me fucking back! 


[END LOG] 


At this point Dr. asked SCP-022-1-5 several questions to verify 
its identity. Though its identity was confirmed to be that of D-5619, 
no further useful information was gained from SCP-022-1-5. It was 
kept in a holding cell until expiring two days later. After three weeks, 
the body of D-5619 animated as SCP-022-1-7. In a brief interview 
with SCP-022-1-7, it claimed to be an 89-year-old female. 


SCP-023: Black Shuck 


Item #: SCP-023 
Object Class: Euclid 


Special Containment Procedures: SCP-023 is to be contained in a 
standard 5 x 5 m Containment Unit. SCP-023 is to be contained in a 
walled-off intersection of two (2) corridors at Site, with at least 
three (3) meters of space in each direction, and false doors at three 
(3) of the four (4) ends, in addition to the real door. Security cameras 
will be placed and maintained above all four (4) doors. 


At all times, SCP-023's eye sockets are to be filled with spherical 
inserts made of hard rubber. Eye inserts must be replaced as they 
degrade. Degradation can be monitored by measuring the 
brightness of the "burning" effect as observed by security footage. 
Brightness greater than 12 candela requires that the inserts be 
replaced within twelve (12) hours. Eye inserts are only to be 
replaced individually, and only after the sun has completely set. 
Personnel are not to look directly into eye sockets of SCP-023 at 
any time.