The smoke was still thick enough to obscure Sebastian’s vision, 
even this far from the infected area. He was making his way out, to 
the nearest Templar fortress. He would be examined, and his 
possessions likely burned to prevent the infection’s spread. 


With him was the town’s only survivor, a young, incredibly fortunate 
plague doctor. He just happened to be in the right place at the right 
time, attending to the sick in the dungeons. He hid himself within the 
stone walls as men became monsters. 


On the journey back, Sebastian expected the standard questions. 


The questions that every survivor asked after this kind of event. 
“How could this happen?” “What other things like this are you hiding 
from us?” “How can you be a Templar? They were disbanded long 
ago!” But the doctor did not ask these questions. Their journey was 
mostly in silence. 


They passed the ring of fellow Templars, tasked with controlling the 
spread of the blaze. Seeing them there, dressed in full holy regalia, 
finally prompted the doctor to speak. But he asked a question that 
Sebastian did not expect. 


“How is it that you still believe in God?” 


Sebastian hesitated a beat. “The world exists as a combination of 
opposites. Night and day, earth and sky, life and death. There is so 
much evil, so many terrible things in the world, that there must exist 
an equal amount of good in the world as well. That makes sense to 
me.” 


Even through the mask, Sebastian could see the hollow expression 
in the doctor's eyes. “Does that really make sense to you? Or, do 
you believe it because that is the only way you can stay sane?” 


Sebastian couldn’t respond to that. 


He shook himself out of his memories. This was no time for idle 
thoughts. On this mission, the last thing he needed was doubt. 


In an effort to focus, Sebastian reviewed his current task. Messages 
had come from the south about a monster that consumed everything 
in its path. The Templars of that region claimed the monster was 
unstoppable; as ferocious as it was powerful. As the oldest surviving 
Knight in the country, Sebastian was personally requested by the 
Master to investigate. As resources for the Order dwindled, a lone 
Knight was a common way to investigate new threats. His report 
would determine a better way to deal with the threat. 


Since this thing was supposedly unstoppable, Sebastian knew he 
could not confront the problem head on. But how was this possible? 
Even if he could stop it, was there any point? There was so much 


wrong in the world, what difference could his few good actions really 
make? 


The soup was incredibly bland. It was clear that its maker could not 
afford quality spices or meats. But it was hot, and at that moment, 
that was everything Sebastian could ask for. 


He was huddled with two fellow knights in a small, hidden room at 
the edge of the castle. There was barely enough room for a table 
and a few stools. Even if a fireplace would have fit, none of the 
knights would have been foolish enough to use it. Being a Knight 
Templar was still very much illegal, especially in this country. Some 
warmth would have been nice, but not nice enough to risk burning at 
the stake. 


The other two were traveling companions, already well acquainted. 
The three had talked a little, but Sebastian wasn’t feeling social, and 
was soon left out of the conversation. A few key words brought 
Sebastian out of his thoughts. 


The dark-haired knight was staring intently at his companion, as if 
searching for something. “...impossible moral decision. There’s no 
way to justify the alternative.” 


His light-haired companion looked uncomfortable. “I don’t know. It 
seems like there has to be a better way. | couldn’t possibly decide.” 


Dark-hair shook his head. “But, see, that’s still making a choice. 
Your very inaction would be a decision.” 


“| don’t think | could bring myself to harm an innocent. It’s not right. 
There has to be a way to prevent the worst outcome without 
sacrificing our own souls.” 


As the argument got more intense, Sebastian thought about the 
problem himself. He knew what they were talking about. Everyone 
who was a member of the Templar Order long enough knew of the 
awtul things often necessary to safeguard mankind. So far, the 
Knights had been lucky. Though their actions were for the greater 
good, many knights questioned if they were doing the right thing. It 


SCP-747: Children and Dolls 


Item #: SCP-747 
Object Class: Euclid 


Special Containment Procedures: All instances of SCP-747 are to 
be contained in a room exactly thirty (80) metres by ten (10) metres, 
with walls consisting of concrete fifteen (15) centimetres thick. All 
instances of SCP-747 are to be contained together in the same 
room. In the occurrence SCP-747 shows interest in any personnel, 
Procedure SCP-747-B9 must be performed immediately. Under no 
circumstances shall any unusual actions of SCP-747 go unreported 
to personnel level 3 or higher. 


SCP-747 is allowed a total of twenty-five (25) dolls, excluding any 
created under SCP-747's influence. Any personnel that begin to 
show visible signs of SCP-747's influence are to be contained 
separately in similar conditions. Should a containment breach occur, 
task force 747-B8 is to be alerted and proceed with recapture 
immediately. Only under extreme circumstances are any personnel 
with clearance level three or higher to have any direct contact with 
SCP-747. 


Description: SCP-747 is a phenomenon involving the appearance 
of children in any manner of animal masks. All instances of SCP-747 
have been successfully identified as deceased children of 
appearance congruent with the time of death, excluding the masks. 
The commonality of the children, according to research, is that they 
all owned a doll precious to them at their time of death. Currently in 
containment there are seven (7) instances of SCP-747: 


¢ SCP-747-01 is a male, approximately seven (7) years of age, 
wearing a zebra mask and a set of blue pajamas 

¢ SCP-747-02 is a male, approximately twelve (12) years of 
age, wearing a mouse mask and swimming trunks 

¢* SCP-747-03 is a female, approximately ten (10) years of age, 


was a question that Sebastian constantly asked himself, yet he still 
had not found an answer. 


The two were almost shouting now. “It is our mission to protect our 
fellow man. At any cost!” “Our mission is also to serve God, surely 
he wouldn't have us sin in his name!” “And instead cause the violent 
deaths of all living things He created?” 


Sebastian knew the argument needed to stop before it escalated 
any further. There were plenty of men hostile to the Templar Order 
in the castle that would become curious if they overheard. So, 
Sebastian spoke. “Listen, brothers. Both of your arguments are 
valid, but your shouting them risks our capture. Please save this 
debate for another time.” 


The dark-haired knight turned on Sebastian, “Well then, brother, 
what is your opinion on the matter?” 


Sebastian sighed. “A long time ago, | would have given a definite 
response. But now, I’m not so sure. To be perfectly honest, | am 
starting to wonder if that is a question that can be answered at all.” 


The decimation proved he was getting close. Great tears had been 
ripped into the earth, and both plant and animal life was broken and 
scattered around. The area was completely still, even devoid of 
insects. Sebastian had seen the effects of great storms before, and 
this was almost similar, but with one nagging key difference that 
Sebastian couldn’t quite place. 


Sebastian dismounted, and guided Endo around the broken terrain. 
This also gave Sebastian the opportunity to investigate, and perhaps 
learn more about the creature he was facing. At first, the lack of 
actual evidence was surprising, until he deduced that the creature 
must be consuming most of what it destroyed. Because of this, he 
could not learn anything other than the initial reports had suggested. 


After some time, Sebastian found himself in a small farming village 
at the base of an old volcano. The damage seemed to suggest that 
the creature was here very recently. Everything in the village was 

destroyed. Every structure and every plot of land showed extensive 


damage. There weren’t even any corpses left behind. Suddenly, 
Sebastian realized what made this devastation different from a 
simple storm. It was the deliberation. The thoroughness of the 
damage showed that the creature must have intelligently, 
methodically worked its way through the village, allowing nothing to 
escape destruction. 


A mix of emotions welled up in him, but at the forefront of these was 
indignation. These people hadn’t deserved this. Logically, the best 
thing to do would be follow the creature and observe it, hopefully 
finding a safe way to destroy it. But no, he couldn’t. He had to stop 
this thing as soon as possible. 


The path of the destruction led into the mountains. Like most poor 
farming villages, Sebastian suspected that a secret storehouse 
allowed the village to keep some of their money and supplies safe 
from thieves and corrupt tax-collectors. Likely, many of the villagers 
had fled there, and the creature had pursued them. 


Sebastian began to formulate a plan. He gathered some of the 
heavy packs Endo was carrying. The packs contained a deadly 
weapon, one that the church had once claimed was sinful. It was his 
only hope now. Sebastian sent off Endo, and began making his way 
to the volcano. 


Could he really go through with this, though? If he made his move 
now, it was likely that he wouldn't return. He could just leave. Run 
away. 


There was no sound now but his own sobbing. His hands hurt from 
holding the cabinet door closed. He didn’t know how long he had 
been hiding there. He knew it was only a matter of time before that 
thing found him. 


Sebastian had always been a small child, and was easily able to fit 
in the cabinet. He had barely been able to find it, as his vision had 
been almost completely obscured by his own tears. 


Everyone else was dead. They had tried to run, but as soon as they 
did, it tore them apart. While they were dying, he had hid. But now, 


he was the only one left, and it was only a matter of time. The thing 
was just outside the cabinet door. 


“Hello? Is anyone still alive?” 


Sebastian suppressed a gasp. He dared not make a sound while 
that thing was still out there. 


“If anyone can hear me, please call out. That demon cannot hear, it 
can only see.” 


Sebastian hesitated. He was still too scared to cry for help. But if he 
just sat here, he would be dead soon anyway. Maybe this was his 
only chance. Still choking on tears, Sebastian called out, “Yes. I’m 
here. I’m trapped. | can’t get out or it will see me.” 


The other person cursed under his breath, but it seemed loud in the 
unnatural quiet of the village. “Don’t fear. | am a Knight of Christ, 
and | swear | will do whatever it takes to protect you. Give me a 
moment to think.” 


After what seemed like an eternity, the Knight called out, “It seems 
like there is only one option. Child, can you ride a horse, and do you 
know where the Monastery near Campo is?” Sebastian said yes. 
“Excellent,” the knight continued. “When | give you the word, | want 
you to calmly exit your hiding place. | will give you a letter, and you 
will leave this house as quickly as you can. Outside you will find my 
horse. Take him to Campo, it give the letter to Abbot there. Can you 
do all this for me?” Sebastian choked out another yes. 


A few moments later the knight called. Sebastian crawled out of the 
cabinet, his muscles aching. As he looked up, the horrific scene 
froze him. The stone demon was standing, unnaturally still, in the 
room’s center. It was covered in filth, and was standing on the 
mangled corpses of what was once Sebastian’s family. 


“Please, child, you must hurry.” Sebastian forced his attention away 
from the creature and towards the knight. He seemed like some kind 
of angel, dressed in shining mail underneath a white cloak; the only 
thing in the room not touched by blood and grime. The knight was 
staring intently at the demon, and to Sebastian it seemed like he had 


frozen the thing with only his will. Seeing him filled Sebastian with 
courage. He hurriedly took the letter from the knight and made his 
way to the exit. 


As he crossed the threshold to the outdoors, Sebastian had a 
sudden thought. He turned back to the knight and asked, “Will you 
be alright?” 


The knight smiled, “I have faced worse things than this, child. | go in 
peace. Now hurry.” 


Sebastian ran. He never looked back. 


As he descended through the caves, the heat became more and 
more oppressive. However, Sebastian walked confidently. He knew 
what he had to do now. 


Finally, the narrow tunnel opened into a much larger chamber. And 
there, at the center, was the creature. 


Calling it a reptile would be like calling the sky a breath of air. It was 
similar, but so wholly different as to make the similarities 
inconsequential. The creature was devouring what was left of the 
village’s secret supplies, and as it did its flesh squirmed and rippled 
like liquid. It noticed Sebastian’s presence almost immediately. 
Without pretense, it charged. 


Sebastian was a Knight Templar. He was at peak physical condition, 
and heavily armed and armored. He had faced countless threats 
beyond imagining, and lived. 


It mattered little in the face of this unstoppable beast. Its charge 
threw Sebastian heavily against the wall. As its open mouth 
descended, Sebastian stabbed at the monster with as much force as 
he could muster. He managed to cut deep into the creature’s bottom 
jaw, but it was no use. The severed wound began to heal itself 
almost instantly. Sebastian dodged to the side, but the monster was 
able to catch his left arm in his jaws, and crushed it out with no 
effort. 


As Sebastian backed away, the creature seemed to hesitate. The 
battle had only lasted a few moments, but already Sebastian knew 
he wouldn't be able to last much longer. His ribs were cracked, likely 
at least one broken, and his left arm dangled uselessly at his side. 
Hopefully, he could last just a little bit longer. Just long enough. 


The creature seemed to hesitate. Sebastian could almost feel the 
intensity of the monster’s attention like a physical weight. Then, the 
creature’s claws began to lengthen, and its flesh began to thicken 
and harden. It stalked towards Sebastian, much more slowly. 


Sebastian had guessed that the creature was intelligent, but seeing 
it adjust its strategy was chilling. Though he was hopelessly losing, 
Sebastian had taken blows that would have killed him if it wasn’t for 
his armor. The monster had realized this, and was changing its 
attack pattern from brute force to precise strikes. One hit from those 
claws could kill Sebastian, armor or no armor. 


A claw lashed out, as quickly as any snake or scorpion. It caught 
Sebastian in the shoulder, puncturing through his armor like it was 
smoke. With the claw still embedded in him, Sebastian struck at the 
creature’s arm with all his remaining strength. The blade did nothing 
against the creature’s newly hardened skin. Another claw strike hit 
Sebastian in the gut, and the fight was over. 


The monster’s mouth began to shift as it prepared to consume 
Sebastian. Its teeth lengthened, and grew sharper and stronger. 
During this transformation, Sebastian managed to look at the 
entrance of the cave. Sebastian smiled.