: It spoke? 


L.: Not words, so much. | could hear it, but not 
with my ears. | saw images of people - people 
sitting back in hot tubs, laying by a crackling 
fire, sunning themselves on the beach. Warm, 
happy people. But | knew their faces. They 
were faces I'd seen in books, and in pictures, 
and people I'd seen on the way up the 
mountain who | hadn't seen on the way down. 
| saw Green Boots! People still lying face- 
down somewhere in the death zone. And | 
heard its question. 


: Which was? 
L.: "You would refuse my gift?” 


(L. became very troubled at this point in the 
interview and was silent for some time.) 


: Go on. 


L.: | could barely make sense of anything that 
was going on... but | knew that this thing in 
front of me was a bigger threat than any storm 
or any snow drift. Moving my lips was harder 
than anything I've ever done... but | did, and | 
told it "Yes." 


: How did it respond? 


L.: |saw more images. Images of those same 
people, lying in the snow, already half-dead. | 
could tell | was looking at them from its 
perspective. It was [DATA EXPUNGED] them. 
| could've been sick. It didn't say anything to 
me in words so much - but it was angry at me. 
It was offended, outraged, shocked. It was 
trying to tell me I'd been ungrateful - and 
instead of relaxing peacefully while it [DATA 


EXPUNGED] I'd have to feel every minute of 
it. | asked it, "Why are you doing this?" 


: What did it say then? 
L.: It mocked me. 
(L. is silent again.) 


: Just a few more questions, please. How 
did it mock you? 


L.: It... it showed me another one of its victims. 
Probably the first one. Mallory. 1924. I'd have 
known that face like my own mother's, but I'd 
never seen it in that kind of detail before... or 
in that condition. He was on his stomach. 
Weak. Frostbitten. Dying. He was waving and 
hollering at the thing as | watched it approach 
from its own perspective. It looked him in the 
eyes and it [DATA EXPUNGED]. It made me 
watch every second until it was done. | think 
watching it was worse than living it would've 
been. And then it told me... 


(L. is silent.) 
: Told you what? 
L.: "Because it's there."4 
: What happened next? 


L.: |wasn't going to let [DATA EXPUNGED] 
happen to me. It was holding me up, so | had 
just enough strength to ball up my fist. | 
punched it. Hard as | could, every last ounce 
of strength | had. Right in the goggles. They 
cracked. | could see what was behind them. 


: What was that? 


L.: [DATA EXPUNGED}] | don't remember 
much after that. | must have gotten into my 
bivvy bag somehow because that's how they 
found me. 


<End Log> 


Closing Statement: After L.'s encounter with SCP-1529, 
it was not observed, active or inactive, for 5 months, 17 
days, 19 hours. Upon next observation, its goggles 
showed no signs of damage or wear. L. passed away on 

/ [20 . Foundation media assets have reported that the 
cause of death was due to complications from childhood 
exposure to asbestos. An autopsy performed by the 
Foundation indicated that L. was suffering extreme 
hypothermia, frostbite, and cerebral edema at the time of 
his death. L. had retired from mountaineering following 
the SCP-1529 encounter and had not travelled more 
than 500 meters above sea level in the 12 months 
preceding his death. 


ADDENDUM: On / /20 , aerial surveillance picked up an image of 
an individual of similar appearance to SCP-1529 near the summit of 
; . As the government of has prohibited 
mountaineering, threat to normalcy is negligible at this time. Aerial 

and satellite surveillance of will continue on a regular 
basis until permanent monitoring stations can be established. 


Footnotes 

1. English mountaineer who perished in 1924 after possibly 
becoming the first man to reach the summit of Everest 

2. Nickname given to the body of Tsewang Paljor, who — while 
wearing a distinctive bright green pair of mountain boots — 
collapsed and died on the main trail along the northern approach in 
1996. 

3. A sheer rock face near the summit on the southeast approach, 
named for Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to successfully traverse 
itin 1953. 

4. Quote attributed to Mallory in the New York Times, 1923, when 
asked why he wanted to climb Everest. 


« SCP-1528 | SCP-1529 | SCP-1530 » 


SCP-1530: A Bender's Friends 


Item #: SCP-1530 
Object Class: Euclid; Previously Safe. 


Special Containment Procedures: SCP-1530 is currently 
contained 120 meters from Site-09. A 3 meter high chain-link fence 
is to surround the perimeter of SCP-1530 (20 by 20 meters), and is 
to be displayed as government property to discourage trespassers. 
Request to use forced entry to access SCP-1530 pending. 


As of 3/10/88, SCP-1530-2 and -3 are to be kept in separate 
humanoid containment chambers. Required furnishing only includes 
bedding, though any requests from SCP-1530-2 and -3 may be 
submitted to Head Researcher Reich for consideration. Tranquilizers 
are to be utilized upon any signs of distress from either instance. 
Interviews are to be conducted through D-Class personnel, and 
must be approved by two Level 3 Personnel. SCP-1530-1 is 
currently kept on life support and provided with medical attention. 


Description: SCP-1530 is a two-story abandoned house located in 
the [REDACTED] Forest. The exterior of the building shows wear 
and weathering consistent with long term negligence. All entryways 
have been barricaded from the interior, preventing personnel 
access. 


SCP-1530 will occasionally emit various sounds from within. When 
this occurs, its windows and front door will repeatedly slam open 
and close. The following sounds have been recorded from 
SCP-1530: 


¢ Barking and whining from a dog. 

* Yowling from a domestic cat. 

* Smashing and crushing of materials such as glass and wood. 

* Screaming and cursing from a male human estimated to be 
around 40 to 50 years in age. 


SCP-1530 was discovered during the search for D-2934, after 
testing with SCP-249. His tracking device indicated that he had 
entered SCP-1530, though immediately stopped transmitting 
readings 16 seconds after entry. Communication with D-2934 and 
other entities within SCP-1530 has proven ineffective. 


Addendum 1530-B: During an active phase of SCP-1530, security 
personnel noticed that the front door of SCP-1530 did not open. It 
was then noted that the front entryway was unlocked, and Agent 
Bertke and Agent Montalvo were sent in accordingly. 


<Begin Log: 2:24 pm> 
Dr. Reich: You are now clear to enter. 
Agent Bertke: Understood. 


[Agent Bertke and Montalvo enter a living room, with a 
set of stairs to the left. A portion of what is assumed to 
be a bedroom is visible across the hall on the right. 
Agents begins to approach while preparing firearms.] 


Agent Montalvo: Ugh, nasty. There's dust and shit 
everywhere. It's covering the floor, the furniture, 
everything. None of this stuff was touched in a while. 
Kinda strange, considering that we've been hearing this 
stuff being broken for days. 


Agent Bertke: The furniture itself looks pretty old, 70's 
stuff... Hey, 


Agent Montalvo: Hm? What? 


Agent Bertke: There's a small patch of dried blood, next 
to these stairs. Almost missed it, looks like someone 
forgot to clean up after themselves. 


Agent Montalvo: Big surprise. Who wouldn't expect to 
find blood in another one of those generic spooky 
houses like this? 


Control: Agents, please keep moving. 


[As Agent Bertke and Montalvo enter the living room, 
barking can be heard as well as coughing and hacking.] 


Agent Bertke: What the fuck? There's a cat and a dog, | 
think? They're just... sitting there. 


Agent Montalvo: Hold up, there's a man here— Jesus. 


[D-2934 is seen to be severely injured with a multitude of 
scratches and tears in the epidermis, most notably on 
the face. A domestic cat and dog are both standing on 
the man and are also injured.] 


D-2934: Hahaha, You guys finally showed up! Welcome 
to my new home! 


<End Log: 2:27 pm> 


Revised Description (4/18/90): SCP-1530-1 is a Caucasian man of 
approximately fifty years in age, formerly D-2934. He was found with 
several injuries to the eyes and chest, as well as mutilation of the 
genitalia and several tears on the lips. All injuries originated from 
SCP-1530-2 and SCP-1530-3. SCP-1530-1 displays no anomalous 
properties, but was found alive inside SCP-1530. SCP-1530-1 is 
currently recovering in Foundation custody, and is also being treated 
for delusional behavior. 


SCP-1530-2 is a male calico’ cat. SCP-1530-2 has sustained two 
major injuries: A large laceration on the underside, exposing 
SCP-1530-2's abdominal cavity, and the removal of SCP-1530-2's 
lips. It also displays an anomalous anatomy, specifically in areas 
afflicted by its injuries. This includes increased mass in the 
mandible, as well as in the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. It also 
lacks a caudal vertebrae. The muscle system corresponds with the 
anomalous areas, showing alterations in the serratus nagnus, 
lattisimus dorsi, masseter muscle, and zigomaticus. 


SCP-1530-3 is a female Beagle, a lower classification of Canis /upus 
familiaris. \ts injuries include mutilation of one eye and lacerations 
across the back, rendering the former non-functional. SCP-1530-3 
contains one anomaly, regarding its lack of lungs and liver. The 


absence of both organs does not affect its living ability. 


Both SCP-1530-2 and SCP-1530-3's injuries do not appear to 
recover, Causing continuous pain. SCP-1530-3 displays polarized 
behavior, as it will act hostile towards its enviornment for several 
minutes before suddenly becoming timid. SCP-1530-2 also displays 
this trait, and will act with either apathy or hostility. SCP-1530-2 and 
SCP-1530-3 both display sapience, but only SCP-1530-2 has 
willingly communicated with personnel upon initial containment; this 
is accomplished by scratching words onto a material with its claws, 
due to damage to its vocal chords. 


Interview Log 1530-B: The following is the interview conducted 
after SCP-1530-2's intelligence was recognized. 


<Begin Log, 6:30 pm> 
Agent Mode: Why did you attack that D-Class? 


SCP-1530-2: It's quite simple, really. He's the real 
danger. Was, that is to say. 


Agent Mode: So you're saying that it was him that hurt 
you and SCP-1530-3? 


SCP-1530-2: [3 second pause] Yes. It was him. He hurt 
us, and he killed Josephine. He hurt me and Willow. 


Agent Mode: Who is Josephine? 


SCP-1530-2: She kept us. We were her family, the only 
ones there for her. She ignored our terms to serve, she 
simply wanted company. | understand why Ananias 
would give her the oath. She was the only master 
[SCP-1530-2 crosses out the word.] one we had... ugh, | 
feel sick, spewing all these compliments. | miss her, 
that's all. 


Agent Mode: Alright. Do you know where this 
‘Josephine’ is? 


SCP-1530-2: | haven't a clue. When he intruded, we 


were occupied, and didn't see where the man placed her. 
| would assume he put her upstairs. 


Agent Mode: Thank you for your cooperation. We'll take 
care of the body, if we find it. 


[7 second pause, while SCP-1530-2 paws at its 
intestines. ] 


SCP-1530-2: Please do. She's needed this, years ago. 
<End Log, 6:58 pm> 


SCP-1530-2 has refused to elaborate further on said statements, 
and no interview is possible at the time. It is assumed SCP-1530-3 
is also sapient and capable of communication, but is currently non- 
responsive to all personnel. 


Addendum 1530-C: The second floor of SCP-1530 contained 
various pieces of furniture standard for a rural home. A corpse of an 
unidentifiable female was also found in the bedroom closet, holding 
a journal containing various dates and entries. A black envelope was 
also found within the journal, containing a letter bearing paw prints 
from both SCP-1530-2 and SCP-1530-3. All individuals that attempt 
to read the textual portion of the letter claim that is impossible to do 
so, though they are unable to explain why. 


2/1/197 

It's a cold day. | keep thinking that there's something 
walking from the woods, to share a meal by the fire. The 
cold is scratching at the windows, and I'm alone. But 
after all that I've faced, | don't care. I've made a home, 
and it will stay my home for as long as | can keep it. 


2/2/197 

This envelope with paw-prints and notes inside: the one 
artifact from... Ananias. | guess I've already been there 
and back, haven't I? 


Now, I've finally decided to use it. It'll take a while, but it 
shouldn't be any trouble to conjure the two entities 


attached to the prints. Maybe I'll get lucky, and they'll be 
able to speak. It'll be nice to learn how to converse 
again. 


3/7/197 
Their names are Salix and Willow. One wily and sharp; 
the other one silent, a follower. 


Salix looks upon me as "an old ex-wife which | can laugh 
at in the gutter." Coming off as old is the last thing | want. 
I'll be sure to work on that. 


Willow is quiet. Reminds me of when things were 
simpler. Damn nostalgia, dying behind me wherever | go. 


3/21/197 

They don't want to do anything. They acknowledge me 
when | give them meals, but they spend their time alone. 
I'll let them take their time, they'll get bored eventually. 


| sincerely hope this doesn't end with either one of them 
becoming like Ashton. All by himself, alone in that cave, 
too stubborn to admit his losses. All he does now is play 
his games. 


On another note, | don't see why re-performing the ritual 
monthly is necessary to retain their servitude. I'm sure 
it's for their benefit. 


3/29/197 

I've just discovered they are both bound by literally 
hundreds of rules. I've gone an switched some around; 
physical contact, escape routes, and no heir created 
from death. | don't know if | enforced this upon them on 
accident. Hopefully this'll make things easier. 


4/1/197 

The sky was bright. Strolled outside, the trees crinkled 
their greetings. It was nice to see Willow enjoying the 

sun, while Salix moped along beside me. Seeing how 
nice it is outside, | don't understand why | can't just 


become a part of it. 


... The Hunters are taking an awfully long time to find me. 
| wonder if they think I've died. 


9/13/197 
| haven't the time to write, they're waiting for me outside. 
A hike, a hike is what we've planned. 


10/28/197 

It's a cold day. They're both asleep by the fire, it's 
radiating glow. The cold is pawing at the windows, but | 
am not without a family. 


The following note was found on the last page at the end of the 
notebook. 


a man dressed in orange and numbers from the woods, 
he intruded upon me. 

he was scared. scared, lost, and alone. 

he was me, before. 

that's why | let him get me, see? I've given up running. 
That's why | couldn't kill him, yes? Maybe he didn't lose 
hope yet 

but now, I'm sorry. 

I'm sorry we never got to leave together, 

even if it was to be only us three, all those | knew had 
already disappeared 

and I'm sorry for leaving the two of you for them. One 
day you'll be free. | love you both. 


On the reverse side of the entry: 


And to the Hunters, if they find this: 

Do what you want. Don't hurt Salix and Willow, your 
agent has already hurt them. I'm sure they'll repay him, 
at least. 

You've chased and killed people like me for so long. 
Even when a shred of normality began to show from me, 
you still tracked me down. What do you want from me? 
From the hundreds like me? Not all of us want to use our 


power for ourselves. Greed is not inherent. 

Fuck you and your containment. You steal freedom. You 
deceive and lie. You destroy. | never even got to say 
goodbye 


Footnotes 
1. Current research into SCP-1530-2's genetic structure is ongoing, 
concerning its coloring. 


« SCP-1529 | SCP-1530 | SCP-1531 » 


SCP-1531: Perfect Lie Detector 


Item #: SCP-1531 
Object Class: Safe