"| mean, maybe?" He replied. "You're not giving us a lot to go on 
here. We don't have any of the original PL documentation, and if this 
powder underwent any form of anomalous processing | don't have 
access to, we're sunk. My team is good, but we're not alchemists." 


Holman gave a sly smile. 

"I'm not hearing a no..." 

Conwell frowned. 

"I'm going to have to put at least three other synthesis projects on 
the backburner for this, you know that, right?" he asked. "I'm going 
to redirect those angry researchers to you." 

"You do what you got to do." Holman shrugged. 


"Alright then..." Conwell sighed. 


"Grand. Keep me in the loop," Holman said with a sheepish grin. He 
then gave a wave as he exited the office. 


Conwell sank deeper into his chair as he looked over his paperwork 
and the samples on the desk in front of him, then flipped on some 
music. 


REM's Losing My Religion began to play. 


October 31st, 2014 


Edgar and Rita sat in the living room of their house, looking out into 
the rain as it pelted the trick-or-treaters. Rita was wrapped in her 
large quilt, her eyes slightly sunken as she silently looked at the 
children scurrying from dry doorway to dry doorway. Edgar offered 


her a mug of spiced cider, but she waved it away. He silently sat 
beside her, and joined in on watching the trick-or-treaters pass. 


"Happy Birthday,” Edgar said softly. He gave his wife a peck on the 
cheek. There was no hair to brush behind her ear this time. 


"Happy Halloween," she eventually replied with weak smile. "You... 
you didn't have to call in too many favors to get today off... Right?" 


Edgar remained silent for several moments. 


"Not at all," Edgar finally whispered. "They begged me to stay 
away." 


Eagar felt for his wife's hand, and gently worked his between her 
fingers until they were clasped tightly. Her skin was clammy in his 
grip. She turned to look at him with an apologetic smile and then 
rested her head on his shoulder. 


October 8th, 2017 


Hello, you've reached Karen and Ted Holman. We're not 
available to come to the phone right now, so go ahead 
and leave us aname and number and we'll get back to 
you as soon as possible. 


"Hey Ted, it's Dad. 


| was wondering if you and Karen had plans for 
Halloween. | know the twins are getting to that age 
where they're old enough to go trick or treating... and | 
was hoping you'd wouldn't mind if | tagged along. You 
know? Something to get me out of the house... 


Anyway, hope to hear from you soon. Give Karen my 
best." 
October 31st, 2016 


Eagar sat in his living room alone. He was at Site-64 when the 


hospice worker called him earlier that month. Due to a security 
breach at the time, it had taken him another four hours before he 
had managed to get home. 


Edgar watched the trick-or-treaters go by his house silently, stopping 
only when a mug of spiced cider came into his view. He turned to 
face his eldest. 

"Mom would kill you if she knew you stopped this tradition," Ted 
said, handing his father the steaming cup. Edgar took it half- 
heartedly. 

"Thank you..." Edgar whispered. "And thanks for being here..." 

Ted put a hand on his father's shoulder. 

"Of course." 

"Any word from your sister?" 


Ted shook his head. 


"| don't think she's coming. She's... still pretty raw. Give her time. 
She'll come around." 


Edgar nodded in understanding. 
"Happy Birthday..." he eventually whispered. 


"Happy Halloween," Ted answered. 


October 12th, 2017 


You've reached the voice mailbox of: Edgar Holman. 
Please leave a message after the tone. 


"Hey Dad, it's Ted. 


| apologize that it took me this long to reply. Things have 
been really hectic at work, though I'm sure you know 
more about that kind of thing than | do... 


I'm sorry to say Karen and | were going to a Halloween 
party at one of her friend's places that night. Karen's 
folks agreed to watch Arthur and Laura. 


Listen, give me a call back when you get this. We'll set 
up lunch. Catch up. | know this time of year is a little 
hard... 


Talk to you soon." 


November 15th, 2016 


"| guess | just don't understand why this is necessary," Holman 
sighed, the psychologist who sat across from him nodded, and jotted 
something down in his notebook. 


"Loss of a spouse often hits people hard, Edgar," Dr. Aeslinger 
replied. "The higher ups just want me to make sure you're okay." 


"What... do they think I'm going to contract some demon to revive 
Rita?" 


"Are you?" Dr. Aeslinger replied with a sympathetic chuckle. Holman 
frowned. 


"Rita fought the good fight for years. The hospice workers made her 
comfortable in the end, and she had her friends and family around 
her when she passed. Few people can say that. I'm fine, alright? I'm 
not going to fly off the handle. I'm not going to release the skips. I'm 
fine. | just want to get back to work." 


Dr. Aeslinger jotted down several notes. 

"Ed, | do need to do a complete evaluation, so we're going to be 

here for a bit. Care to answer a few questions for me?" 
October 14th, 2017 


Hey. It's Linda. You missed me, so go ahead and do 
your thing after the beep. 


"Hey Linda, it's Dad. 


| was wondering if you were free this Halloween. | know 
this is last minute, but | figured maybe we could use this 
chance to catch up... maybe watch some of those horror 
movies you love. | still haven't seen Cabin in the Woods. 


Anyway, let me know if you're free. My number is still the 
same. 


Love you.” 


October 18th, 2017 


Researcher Conwell and Researcher Cooper looked into the exam 
room through the one way glass. Inside the room was a gurney 
which bore a single cadaver. In a few moments, one of Site-64's few 
D-class would be sent in. 


"Here goes nothing..." Conwell sighed, and grabbed a small vial 
from a nearby rack. Inside was an electric blue powder. 


"Think it will work?" Cooper asked, eyeing the vial curiously. 
Conwell gave an exaggerated shrug. 


"| have literally no idea," he replied. "Chemically what we cooked up 
is identical to the PL stuff, but we won't know if they did additional 
hocus pocus to it until we run the tests. At that point, until we get the 
original PL documentation we're screwed." 


"Ah..." Cooper frowned. "Fingers crossed then.” 
"Fingers crossed." 


Conwell handed the vial to one of Cooper's assistants and watched 
at the observation window as it was given to the waiting D-class. 


"D-1260," Cooper spoke into the microphone after the D-class 
inhaled the powder. "In a few moments you may experience visual 
and auditory hallucinations..." 


method to record the passage of time within SCP-728 is through the 
use of a human observer. 


SCP-728 is as vulnerable to damage as any object made from 
[DATA REDACTED]; however, perforating the container causes the 
primary effect to no longer function. Any damage inflicted upon 
SCP-728 appears to “undo” itself after a random amount of time, 
possibly as a side effect of SCP-728’s ability. 


Experimentation Log: Experiments consisted of sealing a person/ 
persons within SCP-728, measuring how much time passed in the 
outside world, and comparing this to the subject’s experience 
measured with a standard watch. 


Date: 06/07/20 

Researcher: Dr. 

Subject: D-7466 

Time elapsed: 5 minutes 
Subject’s Experience: 2 hours 


Date: 06/07/20 

Researcher: Dr. 

Subject: D-7466 

Time elapsed: 1 hour 

Subject’s Experience: 1 minute 30 seconds 


Date: 06/07/20 

Researcher: Dr. 

Subject: D-7466 

Time elapsed: 1 hour 

Subject’s Experience: N/A 

Researcher's Note: Subject’s body was found ina 
sitting position against the rear wall of SCP-728, 
apparently mummified. Tests dated the body as 
approximately years old. Subject’s hands were 
severely damaged, with multiple fractures and 
lacerations. Subject’s right leg was broken. An organic 
compound was found on the doors of SCP-728 which 
was identified as [DATA REDACTED]. 


Date: 06/07/20 


October 22nd, 2017 


Director Holman idly scanned reports on his computer when his 
secretary buzzed in Agent Sasha Merlo. With a heavy sigh, the 
director's tired expression quickly faded into one of professional 
indifference. He adjusted himself in his seat, fixing his posture, and 
waited for the door to open. Sure enough, a few moments later, the 
agent slid into the room. 


"Merlo," Holman addressed her, already knowing the answer to the 
question he was going to ask. "To what do | owe the pleasure?" 


"Got plans for Halloween, Ed?" Merlo asked with chuckle. 
Holman raised an eyebrow in confusion. 
"What?" 


"Myself and several other members of the site staff are going to be 
at the Secret Crest Pub on the 31st. Unofficial Halloween party of 
sorts. You are more than welcome to come. We figured you'd like 
some company." 


Holman looked down at his desk and then shuffled a few papers in 
silence before he replied. 


"Thank you for the offer Sasha, | really do, but | already have plans. 
I'll be fine, trust me." Holman gave his best reassuring smile. Merlo 
gave an amused nod. 


"Suit yourself, offer's still on the table if you change your mind." 
Agent Merlo gave a half wave and began to take her exit. 


"Thanks for looking out for me, though. It's... it's appreciated," 
Holman said as she arrived at the door. 


"Anytime, sir. You take care." 


Holman watched her go and then looked to his personal phone. 


"At least, | hope | have plans..." 


October 28th, 2017 


Holman whistled as he looked over the numerous vials of the 
electric blue powder neatly displayed on Conwell's desk. The young 
AMAT specialist held a satisfied smile beneath tired, sleep deprived 
eyes. 


"So your team pulled it off, huh?" 


"Sure did," Conwell sighed. "Took us multiple all-nighters, but we got 
it. If budgeting wonders why we burnt through so much coffee this 
month, the reason's right here." 


Conwell gave a small chuckle at his own joke. 


"Give us a day to catch our breath, and another to type up the 
synthesis instructions, and you should be good to send this in for its 
designation." 


Holman nodded. 


"You drive a hard bargain, but | think we can manage with that. Just 
don't take too long, Cooper's chomping at the bit." 


Conwell held up his hands in exhausted mock terror. Holman 
noticed the titanium ring on the researcher's left hand. 


"| didn't know you had tied the knot," Holman pointed at the silvery 
band. "How long?" 


"A year in November," Conwell replied. "Seems like just yesterday, 
though. Time sure flies when you're trapped here." 


Holman gave an awkward chuckle in response. "It sure does... Two 
of you got plans for Halloween?" 


"I'm afraid not," Conwell shrugged. "! didn't know if we'd be done in 
time, so | told her I'd likely be busy. Kate's already taken a shift that 
evening. I'll probably go to that thing Merlo invited me too. You?" 


"Ah, well, you have fun." Holman answered after a few moments of 
silence. He then gave a nod and began to make his way toward the 
lab's door. 


"| look forward to reading the synthesis report," Holman said on his 
way over the threshold. "And savor the time you get top side. You 
never know when you're going to get stuck down here for a bit." 


Conwell watched his superior leave, blinking a few times in 
confusion. 


"Alright then..." he said to himself. "Weird." 


October 30th, 2017 


You've reached the voice mailbox of: Edgar Holman. 
Please leave a message after the tone. 


"Hey Dad, it's Linda. 


I'm... sorry | haven't responded to you sooner. I'm afraid 
| traded shifts with a coworker at the hospital so he could 
take his kids trick-or-treating. So | don't think I'll be 
around. 


Heh, just like old times, huh? 
Erm, sorry. That was mean. 


Teddy already told me about you two getting together on 
the 4th. I'll see if | can join you guys then. 


Take care, Dad." 


October 31st, 2017 


Before he started climbing the Foundation's administrative ladder, 
Edgar Holman had been a field agent, and a decent one at that. For 
this reason, he had found it to be particularly easy to sneak into 
Conwell's lab and skim enough of the electric blue powder off each 


of the prepared samples. Then again, he was the Site Director, and 
had access to most of the facility. Perhaps his espionage skills were 
not quite as sharp as he remembered. Either way, he made a 
mental note to propose security improvements for the facility as he 
settled himself on his living room couch in the dark. 


Holman looked across the room at his mantel, toward the plain silver 
canister that resided at its center. He took a deep breath, and closed 
his eyes, then inhaled the powder. Several minutes then passed in 
silence. He looked down at the floor and sighed. 


"Edgar?" A familiar, but distant voice broke the silence. 


He turned his head, and there she stood. She was barefoot and 
wearing a plain dress, her entire form colored in sepia. Her hair was 
done up in ponytail as she often wore in life, but her eyes still had 
the sunken appearance they had acquired near the end. Edgar's 
mouth hung open for several moments. 


"He... hey, Rita," Edgar finally stuttered, and got to his feet. "Ha... 
Happy Birthday..." 


His wife's lips turned in a melancholy smile. 


"Happy Halloween," she replied. "You didn't have to call in too many 
favors to get today off, | hope." 


"Not at all. They begged me to stay away." 


She grinned, and he felt himself do the same. He watched as she 
looked him up and down. 


"You look like death, sweetheart," she finally exclaimed. 


Edgar gave a tired laugh and quickly crossed the room, spreading 
out his arms wide and attempting to wrap Rita in a bear hug, only to 
have his arms close in around himself, and his entire body sheathed 
in cold. 


He looked around in confusion briefly, his wife was standing on the 
other side of the room. 


"| think this is a look-but-don't-touch kind of deal, Ed," she replied 
with a frown. "I'm sorry..." 


Holman gave a chuckle and sighed. 


"Well, shucks," he said. "There go my plans to take this to the 
bedroom." 


Rita giggled. 


"I've missed you so much..." Holman said, his tired smile turning to 
a frown as he sank into a nearby chair. 


"| miss you too," she replied and sat on the chair's arm. She placed 
her hand near, close enough that he could feel the coldness of her 
skin, but not actually touching. The two looked at each other for a 
few seconds in silence. 


"How are the kids?" she finally asked. 


"Fine enough | suppose. Ted and Karen are busy with the twins. 
Linda... hasn't really spoken to me since you passed." 


Rita looked down and frowned. 
"Why?" 


"When you passed... | was stuck at work for hours before | could get 
home. Guess that struck her as a final nail in the coffin. That | cared 
more about work than you." 


"Ah... Yeah... that would do it." 

Holman closed his eyes and turned away. 
"Did you think that?" 

Rita shrugged. 

"Sometimes, certainly. Others not so much." 


She raised an eyebrow as Holman gave a relieved sigh. 


"That's weighed on your mind a lot, huh?" She asked. 
He nodded. 
"Well..." she said. "You're here now. That's good enough for me." 


"Thanks," Holman smiled, tears in his eyes. Rita bent down and 
gave him a peck on the cheek, the coldness sheathing him again as 
she vanished, and appeared across the room. It was there she 
caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror. She frowned, inspecting her 
features, then broke into an amused smile. 


"| take back what | said earlier," she said. "I'm the one who looks like 
death. How am | here, anyway? Did you pull some Orpheus 
bullshit?" 


"That's one way to put it," he replied. "| took something. Its 
temporary. Eventually you'll vanish." 


"Probably for the best," Rita sighed. "The dead gotta stay dead after 
all..."