False Snakeskin

## Description:

The anomalous creature known colloquially as the "False Snakeskin" has no other known name and exists in no other identifiable records or obtained evidence within JPCU archives; no instances of Subject #31 are in containment as of the time of writing due to the creature's refusal to surrender and surprising resistance to various forms of nonlethal damage.

False Snakeskins appear to be a large ribbon of previously shed off-white snakeskin, commonly found draped on/around large trees, vehicles, or buildings; rough estimates by observers claim that the total length of the snakeskin is likely between one hundred (100) to one hundred and fifty (150) feet long and one (1) to two (2) feet in diameter. While long and bearing the marks of decay, dryness, age, and tearing, the snakeskin is always in one (1) piece; notably, the snakeskin does possess a structure at one end that usually appears to be a "head," or a mimicry of a snake's head, although closer inspection induces cognitive dissonance and causes headaches and nausea in observers. The corpses of the Snakeskin's recent victims are found tied or wrapped up in the camouflaged snakeskin, usually lying on the ground or against the tree/structure which the snakeskin is covering.

False Snakeskins occur in forested environments of both dry and wet variants, although cooler climates seem to be preferred, and are found along highways or other roadways several miles outside of a large population center. The Snakeskin camouflages itself as the aforementioned snakeskin draped over a large tree or structure several dozen yards past the tree line of a wooded area, most commonly out of view of the exterior of the woodlands; an additional layer of stealth is provided by the Psionic effect radiated by the Snakeskin. If observed, threatened, or approached by a potential victim, the "snakeskin" seems to animate and attack nearby individuals; if forced to give chase to a victim or flee for its own safety, False Snakeskins abandon all attempts at camouflage in favor of bipedal locomotion. The snakeskin seems to deform, with the two opposite ends of the long, dry scaled "skin" serving as the legs; attempts to view, photograph, or otherwise perceive the torso and head of the False Snakeskin is hindered by a far more powerful Psionic defense capable of corrupting computer files and eroding photographs. Physical onlookers will find it difficult to look up at the area that would be the creature's torso/head, with reports of distortions in their vision, temporary blindness, and perceived distortions in the air that occupies the space that should be the creature's torso/head. It is theorized by JPCU researchers that the False Snakeskin is only partially present in the Material Realm at any given point, allowing it to so effectively camouflage despite being capable of obtaining bipedal locomotion at will; the perceptual distortions and inability to perceive the creature's torso/head are also consequences of this effect. The creature's arms and legs, however, can be seen by an observer as moving in a vaguely humanoid manner and are capable of ripping humans limb from limb. When mobile, the creature stands at close to fifty (50) to seventy (70) or eighty (80) feet tall and can move at speeds of up to thirty (30) miles per hour.

The False Snakeskin is an ambush predator theorized to originate from some other Realm or dimension, lying in wait until a passerby comes within approximately three hundred (300) feet, at which point the Snakeskin makes a Psionic connection with the target; this Psionic link allows the Snakeskin to manipulate the target's perceptions of reality, induce hallucinations, and change memories, frequently inducing visions or implanting alterred memories that give targets a reason to stop within the Snakeskin's vacinity. Then, if the target does not naturally drift towards the Snakeskin, they will create false stimuli or implant artificial motivation to approach the Snakeskin; upon the target making visual contact, their moments of stunned terror enable the Snakeskin to feed. Feeding methods of the Snakeskin are unknown and have not been observed or recorded by the JPCU; however, all victims of the Snakeskin, if their bodies are recovered at all, are always found exhibiting advanced stages of decomposition regardless of their time since death. It is known, however, that False Snakeskins attempt to remain camouflaged while eating, and will use the snakeskin like tentacles to assault victims; the Snakeskin only abandons its camouflage if the victim has the mental fortitude to resist the creature's influence and flee or attempt to fight back, but will also break camouflage if spotted by another potential victim or threatened/attacked. Breeding processes of False Snakeskins are unknown, as are their origins and means of socialization/communication (if any). JPCU researchers believe that, on some level, False Snakeskins are actual snakeskins; that is, False Snakeskins are the remnants of another, likely far more dangerous and unseen, type of creature, although what the other creature may actually be is entirely unknown.