SCP-017

The Second Lost Child, also known as SCP-017 ("Shadow Person") is an entity of childlike size shrouded in shadow that engulfs anything that casts a shadow upon it, from objects to people.
==Biography==
===Origin===
The Second Lost Child's exact point of origin is unknown, but they were a part of the Lost Children during the early days of the universe. It is known that the Second Child was not fond of the Fourth Child. At some point, they were scattered across Earth for some apparent reason. They were all opposed to the Children of Dust by their nature. Ancient humans knew of the Second Child, though much of their knowledge regarding the entity was destroyed as per the Edict of Karnath.The Second Child
===Containment===
The SCP Foundation discovered the existence of this entity and sought to contain it, with a few Administrative Department executives using an occult ritual that resulted in a terrible consequence; this ritual was stricken from Foundation records due to the result.
At some point after that, the Second Child was successfully captured by the Foundation and contained at Biological Research Area-12 near the abandoned White Heretic's City, being dubbed SCP-017. By the time of the Serpent's Hand writing of a document concerning SCP-017, 017 had escaped six times and been re-caged after every breach.
==== Shadow of a Doubt====
On 30 July 2010,Secure Facility Dossier: Area-12 one of SCP-017's bulbs shorted out, alerting Technician Palmer to contact his supervisor, Sanders, who set the THREATCON to Omega. The lead researcher of SCP-017, Dr. Martell, instructed Maintenance Technician Lloyd Swinburne to replace the bulb in the chamber. Swinburne was ultimately successful after a few tense moments.Shadow of a Doubt
====SCP-682 termination====
The use of SCP-017 to terminate SCP-682 was approved, with 017 engulfing a sample of 682 with no issue. 682 was exposed to 017, to which 682 let out an extremely loud roar that damaged several recording devices and managed to back 017 into a corner. 682 then attempted to breach the chamber, only to be suppressed and removed. Foundation analysts began analyzing the roar, seeing if it communicated with 017 or damaged it; this investigation was ongoing.
====SCP-52000 interview====
Intermittently, from 13 to 19 January 2025, SCP-52000 spoke with Researcher Boyd at Site-12 about the danger of SCP-017 and how it is going to revert to its original form and engulf everything in the universe.Document 017-1
==Attributes ==
In the past, SCP-017 was of an unknown shape, though it is likely that it was either much larger or much smaller. SCP-017 is currently about the size of a small child, standing at 0.8 meters (2'8"), though has no discernible features due to the shadowy cloud encasing their appearance. The SCP Foundation has not tested to see if anything lies beneath the shroud yet.
When a shadow is cast upon 017, it engulfs the object or person entirely within its shroud, then returning to 0.8 meters, leaving nothing behind of the object in question. Having several high-powered lights pointing at 017 reduces the chance of this occurring.Entry Page: 017 It is unknown what happens to a person engulfed by 017, with many theories on this. Some believe they're simply killed, others believe they are sent to a paradise as stated by the Codex Ratigan. During the attempted termination of SCP-682 by 017, 682 let out an extremely loud sound that staggered 017; Foundation analysts were unsure if the roar damaged or communicated with 017. According to the Serpent's Hand, SCP-017 had successfully made use of Ways in the past, which threatens the Library if 017 ever made a full escape from the Foundation.
==Containment procedures==
017 is to be contained in an 100 x 50 x 50 cm (39 x 20 x 20 inch) Perspex acrylic glass cage, suspended in a 6 x 6 x 4 meter (20 x 20 x 13 foot) concrete room. High-intensity spotlights are mounted on the walls, ceiling, and floor of the chamber, pointing directly at 017 from every angle. Unless in cases of maintenance, personnel are not to enter 017's chamber. Personnel assigned to SCP-017 must keep an eye on the status of the spotlights as well as the power going to it, calling for maintenance as soon as one goes out. SCP-017's chamber is at a lower level than the rest of the Area, necessitating an elevator to access the containment cell. The chamber is also kept very cold to prevent bulbs overheating, being around -6° Centigrade (21° Fahrenheit).
If this occurs, personnel are to enter the chamber in full-body insulated suits with an outer layer of reflective chromium, with the task of replacing the bulb of a non-functioning spotlight. They are also cautioned to not step in front of functional spotlights, as the possibility to cast a shadow is high. Specifically, they are not to cup their hands; not walk with their legs too close together; to keep their fingers loose and apart; walk in a shuffling motion; carry any objects away from their body, and most importantly, be aware of their body movements.
==Meta==
===Appearances===
*Entry Page: 017
*Experiment Log T-98816-OC108/682
*Shadow of a Doubt
*The Second Child
*Document 017-1
*Secure Facility Dossier: Area-12
==References==
Category:Characters
Category:Anomalous beings
Category:SCPs
Category:Keter