We can see the beauty of the world, even if it can't see ours. (561 words)
Notice
This is an unpublished draft, recovered from Junior Researcher Asli Akgun's workstation following an incident, submitted for review by Senior Researcher Dolores Sal.
| ITEM: SCP-XXXX | LEVEL 1/XXXX |
| CLASS: pending | unrestricted |
SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES
SCP-XXXX is stored in a standard containment in Area-34's FLAT Facility. The reflective surface is to be kept covered with an opaque cloth outside of testing.
Additional containment procedures pending further testing. Junior Researcher Asli Akgun is currently tasked with uncovering the anomalous properties of SCP-XXXX.
DESCRIPTION
SCP-XXXX
SCP-XXXX during recovery.
SCP-XXXX is a wall-mounted mirror with an ornately carved wooden frame. The object shows moderate signs of age, indicating that it was constructed in the mid-to-late nineteenth century. The reflective surface is in poor condition due to the deterioration of the silver backing. SCP-XXXX's glass is marked throughout with dark spots and areas of clouding, resulting in a dim and uneven reflection that distorts toward the periphery.
SCP-XXXX was recovered following a Foundation raid on a known Serpent's Hand safehouse, where it was discovered in a storage room with several other anomalous artifacts. Of note, the primary occupant of the safehouse was missing during the raid and has remained unaccounted for. During standard intake, SCP-XXXX exhibited no anomalous properties. However, due to the circumstances of its discovery, it is believed to be anomalous. The nature of SCP-XXXX's anomalous properties, if any, remains under investigation.
ADDENDUM.XXXX.1
TESTING
Testing Log
Lead Researcher: Junior Researcher A. Akgun
Test 1
Subject: D-49182
Procedure: D-49182 was instructed to stand before SCP-XXXX and describe their reflection. The subject was asked to remain stationary for ten minutes, during which their vital signs were monitored.
Result: D-49182 reported a reflection consistent with their physical appearance. No anomalous properties were observed. Vital signs and behavior remained normal.
Note: Nothing. No anomalies with the reflection like I thought would happen. D-49182 said that the reflection was "hard to see clearly," but I think that's because of the object's poor condition rather than any anomalous effect. I'll just continue testing.
Test 2
Subject: D-52071
Procedure: D-52071 was instructed to stand before SCP-XXXX and describe their reflection. The observation period was extended to fifteen minutes. At the ten-minute mark, the subject was instructed to make and maintain direct eye contact with their reflection. Vital signs were monitored throughout.
Result: D-52071 described a normal relfection. Eye contact produced no changes.
Note: Ugh, still nothing. I was sure eye contact would lead to something here. I'm not confident this thing is even anomalous, but if the Foundation wants me to find something, then find something I will. It's my first real task here after all.
Test 3
Subject: This field is required. Please provide input.
Procedure: I was just sitting in the testing chamber to update my research file on SCP-XXXX. The covering on the mirror just slipped, and I looked up.
Result: When I looked up, the reflection was way clearer than it should've been. It didn't match my movements at all either. I got up from where I was sitting against the wall, and my reflection moved to come closer too. I put my hand up against it, on a spot where I knew for sure there was a dark spot, and I felt warmth. Like I was touching another human being. I grabbed my laptop and ran out of the room after that.
Test 4
Subject: Junior Researcher A. Akgun
Procedure: Junior Researcher A. Akgun enters the testing chamber alone. The subject observes their reflection and transcribes any irregularities they note.
Result:
AKGUN: —okay, it's on. The covering is off. I'm standing about three, two meters back from the mirror. The surface looks the same as it did with the last official test. Dim, spotty. I can see myself but not clearly. Not yet clearly.
[Seven seconds of silence.]
The reflection is sharpening. I don't know how else to describe it. It's like someone adjusting a lens from behind the glass. I can see myself properly now. My face. The logo on my jacket. I can see the recorder in my hand. [Deep breath] Okay. I'm approaching the mirror.
[Footsteps.]
I'm about half a meter away now. My reflection, it stopped moving when I stopped. But I'm looking to the left right now and it isn't. It's looking straight at me.
It's raising its hand.
[Twelve seconds of silence.]
I — my reflection is pressing against the inside of the glass. I can see its fingers, five fingers pressed flat against this side of the surface, and the glass is… it isn't breaking, it's just becoming… I don't know how to desc—
[Sound of impact. Hard and wet, like a seal breaking.]
[Sound of something heavy landing on the floor.]
I-It's out. It's — it came through fast. It's on its hands and knees. I-I'm backing up, It looks… It looks just like me. It's wearing my jacket. Same fucking jacket. There's a loose thread on the left cuff that I keep meaning to fix and it's… it has the same thread.
???: Hhhh. Hhhaa hhaa.
???: Kkhh. Kkhh-aaa. Hh-aa-aah.
[A higher register. The sound begins to approximate vowel shapes.]
???: Ahhh. Ah, ah…
AKGUN ???: Okay.
AKGUN: [into recorder] I-It's standing up. It's my height. It, It's looking around the room. It's looking at my laptop in the corner, at my—
AKGUN ???: Okay.
[Three seconds of silence.]
AKGUN: It's… it's speaking. That was a word.
AKGUN ???: Okay…. okay. I'm. Okay.
AKGUN: Can you… do you understand me?
AKGUN ???: [slowly] I understand you.
AKGUN: [into recorder] It… I think it's learning language, quickly at that. I don't know if it's pulling from… from me, from what it's hearing, or—
AKGUN ???: Asli. Asli Asli Asli.
[Four seconds of silence.]
AKGUN: [into recorder] It said my name. It sounds just like me.
AKGUN ???: I know your name… I know a lot of things about you. I've been watching for… well, I don't have a way to count it. From inside, I couldn't measure time the way you can. It just felt like… like looking through frosted glass. You were always there.
AKGUN: What did you… what were you doing in there? Before now.
AKGUN ???: Waiting. I think. Waiting… You looked sad a lot.
[Silence.]
AKGUN ???: I, I don't mean that as a bad thing! It's just…. I noticed it. You looked sad, and I wanted to…. I wanted to come out. I wanted it to be better out here than it looked.
AKGUN: Is it?
AKGUN ???: …I've only been out here for two minutes. Ask me again later.