anomalous albatross. SCP-2550 remains within its nesting area 
almost exclusively, only exiting its perch to occasionally eat. 
SCP-2550 has been noted to avoid eating for prolonged periods, 
and has necessitated force feeding in the past. Typical avian 
motivation and care models are ineffective in providing for 
SCP-2550. Due to mounting evidence and urging on the part of Dr. 
Gunther, a strict regimen of specifically engineered Phoebastria 
albatrus SSRIs have been administered to SCP-2550 with varying 
success in modifying SCP-2550's behavior. 


When SCP-2550 chooses to leave its nest, it most often perches on 
one of several branches provided within its enclosures, where it 
produces its anomalous vocalizations. SCP-2550 is most often 
observed sighing, suggesting moderate emotional distress, if its 
vocalizations thematically resemble human meanings. No other 
vocalizations have been recorded from SCP-2550 since initial 
containment, when it produced agitated growling and screaming and 
subsequently wept within its exposure for several days. SSRIs being 
administered to SCP-2550 have been mildly successful in motivating 
it to eat and remain active, though no meaningful change in overall 
behavior has been observed. 


Addendum: On / /_ , it was decided by 4 to 1 vote by Site 24's 
Avian Psychological Board that implementing a mural approximation 
of SCP-2550's natural habitat to the walls of its containment 
chamber would necessitate a more healthy environment. SCP-2550 
was temporarily moved to a holding cell during this process, after 
which it was recontained with no outlying logistical problems. During 
the next week of observation, SCP-2550's mental state was seen to 
deteriorate dramatically. After 8 days, SCP-2550 had managed to 
strip the bark, branches, leaves, and other assorted foliage and 
debris from their typical places within its enclosure in order to 
obscure the approximations of other Phoebastria albatrus included 
in containment. SCP-2550 was then noted to produce an anguished 
wail until successfully tranquilized and its containment area returned 
to its previous state. As of this event, SCP-2550 has been markedly 
more lethargic and seems more resistant to SSRI treatment. 
Implementation of more potent psycho-stimulants is currently 
pending. 


Acquisition Log 2550-45k-Sigma-Theta: 


On //_ , during routine patrol of the Izu Islands 
archipelago in the Pacific Ocean south of Japan 
following the detection of anomalous [REDACTED] in 
reference to the now contained SCP-__, onsite agents 
reported the sounds of human populations within the 
local flora. SCP-2550 was discovered as a part of a local 
colony of Phoebastria albatrus, given the temporary 
designation SCP-Izu-Prime, before its true nature could 
be ascertained. After prolonged observation, possible in 
part due to the Izu Islands’ remoteness, SCP-2550 was 
identified as the anomalous component in effect. 
Researcher's notes during this time suggest that 
SCP-2550 did not display depressed symptoms while in 
the wild, displaying such human vocalizations as 
laughter and delighted exclamations. Subsequently, all 
instances of SCP-2550-A were exterminated and 
SCP-2550 was taken into custody preceding final 
containment at Site 24. 


Following initial containment, SCP-2550 was noted to 
scream hysterically within its transport container for 
several hours before losing consciousness, likely from 
exhaustion brought on from over stimulation due to the 
destruction of its colony, the initial instances of 
SCP-2550-A. Upon regaining consciousness, SCP-2550 
remained agitated for several hours before falling into its 
now typical lethargic state. SCP-2550 required force 
feeding for the next nineteen days following containment. 


« SCP-2549 | SCP-2550 | SCP-2551 » 


SCP-2551: "I could've sworn | just saw..." 


Item #: SCP-2551 
Object Class: Keter 


Special Containment Procedures: SCP-2551 is to be remotely 
monitored at all times by a permanent staff of at least ten 
surveillance personnel trained to identify SCP-2551 induction 
events. Simultaneously, the LETHE algorithm!’ is to be run on all 
feeds at all times. Facial recognition software is to record images of 
all individuals entering or leaving SCP-2551 for matching to and 
identification of SCP-2551-1 instances. 


If an induction event is identified, either by personnel or by 
algorithm, the associated individual is to be intercepted before 
leaving SCP-2551. Method of interception is arbitrary, but must 
involve breaking the individual's line of sight. For examples, see 
appendix 2551-C. 


Under no circumstances is SCP-2551 to be continuously empty of 
people for more than twelve hours. In the event that SCP-2551 has 
been continuously empty for more than eight hours, at least ten 
individuals not familiar with the effect? are to enter SCP-2551 and 
patrol the space until it is declared safe by a member of staff with 
level 4 or higher security clearance. 


Large gatherings of people (including but not limited to: festivals, 
parades, outdoor markets, public performances and protests) are to 
be prevented from taking place in SCP-2551, without preventing 
access altogether. High profile individuals such as politicians and 
performers are to be prevented from entering SCP-2551 where 
possible. 


All local calls to emergency services are to be passively monitored. 
On the occasion of a report matching the description of an instance 
of SCP-2551-1, the call is to be traced and the instance contained, 


with appropriate distribution of class-C amnestics to witnesses, and 
destruction of any physical evidence of the effect. 


Contained instances of SCP-2551-1 are to be processed on a case- 
by-case basis. For details, see appendix 2551-A. 


Description: SCP-2551 is an urban plaza, known locally as 
Square, in the city of ; . Interviews with local residents and 
testimonies of on-site personnel show that individuals within 
SCP-2551 display an above average likelihood of misrecognition of 
passing individuals as acquaintances ("recognition events"); usually 
as intimate friends or family, but occasionally as peers, superiors or 
well known public figures. Recognition usually occurs in peripheral 
vision only, being dispelled upon direct inspection. 


In approximately 0.5% of recognition events, the affected individual 
will stop what they are doing and follow the misrecognised individual 
("induction events"). This response is entirely impulsive and 
involuntary. If distracted in some way before leaving SCP-2551, the 
individual will resume normal behaviour, with no memory of the 
incident. If the individual exits SCP-2551 and is not under direct, 
active surveillance, they will vanish. They will reappear between 12 
and 36 hours later, usually in their own home, as an instance of 
SCP-2551-1. Individuals have never been observed between 
disappearing from SCP-2551 and reappearing as SCP-2551-1, and 
have no memory of where they were during this time. 


SCP-2551-1 are physically and psychologically identical versions of 
individuals affected by SCP-2551 induction events, differing only in 
that they are unable to be acknowledged as human by other living 
creatures. They are often described as "unnatural", "inhuman", 
"artificial" or "wrong". When pressed for details, the eyes, skin or 
bodily proportions are most often identified as appearing different, 
despite being measurably identical to before being affected. 


The effect extends to direct communication of SCP-2551-1 (e.g. 
voice, handwriting) and to recordings (e.g. photographs, videos) but 
not to indirect communication (e.g. text typed on a computer) or 
automated measurements (e.g. facial recognition software). 
Instances of SCP-2551-1 are not immune to their own effect, and 
will typically reject their own body. The resulting dysphoria has been 


observed to cause severe emotional distress. 


If SCP-2551 is empty for a prolonged period of time, it will 
demanifest from its current location and manifest in another, similar 
location elsewhere. This is known to have happened on three 
occasions. On each occasion it has relocated to a larger, more 
populous area. 


Despite over 25 years of research, the mechanism of action of 
SCP-2551's effect remains unknown, and no progress has been 
made in "curing" SCP-2551-1, preventing induction events from 
occurring, or causing the effect to demanifest without manifesting 
elsewhere. The following has been ascertained: 


* Recognition and induction events occur more frequently in 
poor visibility conditions (e.g. rain, fog, darkness). 

* Recognition and induction events occur more frequently in 
crowded conditions. 

¢ Some individuals are significantly more susceptible to the 

effect than others. If an individual is successfully intercepted 

from an induction effect, the probability of the same individual 

being affected by another induction event within the next six 

months is approximately 65%. 

Individuals affected by induction events are statistically more 

likely to show introverted and depressive traits. 

The individual who is misrecognised in an induction event has 

consistently proven to be completely unanomalous, and to 

bear a general resemblance to the individual they are 

mistaken for. 

Interception of induction events does not appear to affect rate 

of future recognition or induction events. 

Frequency of recognition and induction events does not 

appear to be significantly increasing or decreasing over time. 

Familiarity with SCP-2551 does not confer any immunity or 

resistance to its effect. 


Appendix 2551-A - Processing of SCP-2551-1 Instances: Due to 
the number of instances, distress caused by the effect, and inability 
of rehabilitation, SCP-2551-1 instances have proven difficult to 
process in an effective, humane manner. Over the 25 years of 
containment there have been six different site directors overseeing 


inconclusive. Analysis of SCP-286’s composition has shown high 
concentrations of iron and nickel, and crystalline microstructures 
consistent with [REDACTED]. 


If any human being higher-order mammal touches SCP-286, it will 
initiate a Sigma state. A Sigma state is indicated by the appearance 
of 12 tokens on the surface of the game board. The tokens appear 
to be constructed of the same material as SCP-2863. Six tokens are 
“dark,” absorbing ~75% more ambient light than the board surface, 
while six tokens are “light,” emitting ~75% more ambient light than 
that which actually strikes them. Appearing with the tokens on the 
game surface are two eighteen-sided dice, apparently made of 
bronze.4 The dice share the anomalous reflective and absorption 
properties shown by the game tokens, one “light” and one “dark.” 
Otherwise the dice appear consistent with dice found with non- 
anomalous Liubo sets recovered from various Chinese archeological 
sites. 


A Sigma state will also manifest SCP-286-1 and SCP-286-2 to play 
a game. SCP-286-1 and SCP-286-2 are human beings higher-order 
mammals who have suffered temporary alterations in patterns of 
movement, cognition, behavior and vocalization. SCP-286-1 will 
appear agitated, movements will become jerky and imprecise, 
vocalizations will be quick, stuttering and aggressive. SCP-286-2 will 
appear sluggish, movements halting and slow, vocalizations will be 
low-pitched, throaty, and tend to be monosyllabic. Subjects capable 
of human speech will converse, but only to their opposite number 
during a Sigma event. Such conversations (or monologues in the 
case of a subject facing a non-human opponent) are conducted in a 
random sequence of human languages, sometimes shifting multiple 
times within a single statement. Only 45% of the recorded 
conversations between SCP-286-1 and SCP-286-2 have been 
successfully translated to date. 


The subject who initiated the Sigma state will become an instance of 
SCP-286-1 if they touched SCP-286 on an illuminated surface, or 
they will become an instance of SCP-286-2 if they touched SCP-286 
on a surface that is in shadow. 


In either case, the subject will take a seated position to one side of 
the board? and roll one of the two dice manifested by SCP-286.§ 


SCP-2551, each of whom has advocated different procedures. The 
current procedure, created with the aid of the Ethics Committee, is 
as follows: 


Contained instances are to be debriefed on the nature of 
SCP-2551's effect, including its permanence. They are then to be 
offered voluntary euthanasia, with a period of 24 hours given to 
reach a decision. Those who choose not to be euthanised are to be 
stored in standard humanoid containment cells in Site 22. They are 
to be provided with loose fitting clothing capable of concealing the 
entire body, and are not to be exposed to reflective surfaces. 


SCP-2551-1 instances comprising former Foundation employees 
and, at the site director's discretion, other contained instances, may 
be assigned clerical work requiring no greater than Level 1 security 
clearance. 


There are currently 79 SCP-2551-1 instances in containment. 
Appendix 2551-B - Incident Log: 


/ / :SCP-2551 effect discovered in the town of ; 


/ / : Effectlocatedto St. 's ,near the centre of 
the town. 

/ / : Containment established. All civilians excluded 
from SCP-2551 under the pretext of emergency 
roadworks. 

/ / : Containment lost. Effect lost after approximately 
24 hours of SCP-2551 being empty. 

/ / : Effect located to - in the city of : 

/ / : Containment established. All civilians excluded 
from SCP-2551 under the pretext of terrorist threat. 

/ / : Containment lost. Effect lost after approximately 
12 hours of SCP-2551 being empty. 

/ / : Effect located to in the city of ; 

/ / : Containment established. All civilians excluded 
from SCP-2551 under the pretext of quarantine of an 
infectious disease. SCP-2551 populated entirely with D- 
class personnel, allowed to freely enter and exit 
SCP-2551 via one exit leading only to temporary D-class 


barracks. 

/ / : Containment lost. Effect lost after approximately 
96 hours of SCP-2551 being populated only by D-class 
personnel. 

/ / : Effect located to Square in the city of ; 


/ / : Containment established under current special 
containment procedures. 

/ / : LETHE algorithm instated. Proportion of induction 
events identified increased by more than 35%. 

/ / :At : local time, all on-site surveillance personnel 
simultaneously affected by an induction event, being 
found as SCP-2551-1 twelve hours later. Personnel all 
report seeing and following Dr. 3 out of the main 
entrance. To date, this remains the only known instance 
of SCP-2551's effect affecting multiple persons at once, 
or operating outside of the bounds of SCP-2551 itself. 

/ / : Containment reestablished. 


Footnotes 

1. A piece of software trained to identify recognition and induction 
events based on facial and bodily cues. For further information, 
including rate of success, version history and source code, see 
appendix 2551-D 

2. Local residents are to be encouraged to participate where 
possible. Otherwise, D-class personnel may be used. In emergency 
situations, all but one local surveillance staff are to self-administer 
amnestics and do as instructed. 

3. Site director at the time. 


« SCP-2550 | SCP-2551 | SCP-2552 » 


SCP-2552: A Delusion's Desperation 


Item #: SCP-2552 
Object Class: Euclid