In the vast, shadowy archives of the SCP Foundation, where anomalous entities are cataloged and contained to protect humanity, few files are as chilling and as crucial as that of SCP-096, commonly known as “The Shy Guy.” This humanoid creature embodies a uniquely terrifying threat: once you see its face, you are marked for death, no matter where you are on Earth.
Let’s delve into the unsettling details of this Euclid-class anomaly.
What is SCP-096? The Description
SCP-096 is a pale, emaciated humanoid creature, approximately 2.38 meters (about 7 feet 10 inches) tall. Its limbs are disproportionately long, particularly its arms, which measure roughly 1.5 meters (5 feet) each. It has very little muscle mass, no body hair, and its skin is almost completely devoid of pigmentation. Its jaw can open to an unnerving four times the norm of an average human.
Normally, SCP-096 is docile. Pressure sensors in its containment cell indicate it spends most of its time pacing by a wall, emitting low, consistent sobbing noises. It shows no signs of higher brain function and is not considered sentient.
The Anomalous Property: The Gaze of Death
The terrifying nature of SCP-096 lies in its singular anomalous reaction: if anyone views its face, whether directly, via video recording, or even a photograph, it will enter a state of extreme emotional distress.
Upon its face being viewed, SCP-096 will cover its face with its hands and begin screaming, crying, and babbling incoherently. This “distressed” state lasts for approximately one to two minutes. Following this, it enters an “enraged” state.
In its enraged state, SCP-096 will begin running at incredibly high speeds (documented from 35 km/h up to speeds that seem to depend on distance from its target, often breaking through solid barriers without slowing) towards the person who viewed its face (designated as SCP-096-1).
- Relentless Pursuit: There is no known material or method that can impede SCP-096’s progress once it starts its pursuit. It has been observed breaching reinforced steel, concrete, and even outrunning military vehicles and aircraft.
- Innate Tracking: SCP-096 seems to possess an innate, unerring sense of its target’s location, regardless of distance or obstacles.
- Termination: Upon reaching SCP-096-1, SCP-096 will proceed to kill and [DATA EXPUNGED] its target. In 100% of documented cases, no traces of the victim are left behind.
- Return to Docility: After terminating its target, SCP-096 will sit down for several minutes before regaining its composure and becoming docile once again. It then attempts to return to its natural habitat, a location that remains [DATA REDACTED].
This reaction does not occur when viewing artistic depictions of SCP-096’s face, such as paintings or drawings, only direct or recorded photographic/video likenesses.
Special Containment Procedures: A Precarious Balance
Given its devastating anomalous property, SCP-096’s containment is of utmost priority for the SCP Foundation. It is designated as an Euclid-class object, meaning it requires special containment procedures, but its behavior is somewhat predictable.
- Airtight Steel Cube: SCP-096 is contained within a 5m x 5m x 5m airtight steel cube.
- No Visual Surveillance: Crucially, there are to be absolutely no video surveillance or optical tools of any kind inside SCP-096’s cell. This is to prevent any accidental viewing of its face.
- Pressure Sensors & Laser Detectors: Security personnel rely solely on pre-installed pressure sensors and laser detectors to monitor SCP-096’s presence inside the cell.
- Weekly Checks: Mandatory weekly checks for any cracks or holes in the containment unit are performed.
- Alpha Priority: Due to the potential for a mass chain reaction leading to a breach of Foundation secrecy and massive civilian casualties, retrieval of SCP-096 during a breach is considered “Alpha priority.”
Incident 096-1-A: The Near Catastrophe
One of the most significant incidents involving SCP-096 was Incident 096-1-A. This event highlighted the extreme danger of SCP-096 and led to the Foundation seriously considering its immediate termination.
During a retrieval mission, a high-resolution photograph of a mountainous region inadvertently captured a few pixels of SCP-096’s face. Despite the minuscule size of the image, SCP-096 reacted. The ensuing pursuit involved the destruction of a submarine, multiple aircraft, and significant loss of life, all because a single individual in a high-altitude aircraft unwittingly viewed a few pixels of its face. The incident underscored the entity’s ability to track its target across vast distances and through impossible obstacles.
The aftermath of Incident 096-1-A led to a heated debate within the O5 Council (the Foundation’s highest authority) regarding SCP-096’s termination, which was ultimately approved but later complicated by other factors within the SCP universe.
The Terrifying Legacy of The Shy Guy
SCP-096 stands as a chilling reminder of the unknown dangers the SCP Foundation strives to contain. Its simple, yet absolute, anomalous property makes it one of the most feared entities. The mere act of looking, even unknowingly, triggers an unstoppable, merciless force. The horror of SCP-096 isn’t just in its destructive power, but in the dreadful inevitability it imposes on anyone who dares to gaze upon the face of “The Shy Guy.”
Disclaimer: The SCP Foundation and all related content, including SCP-096, are works of collaborative fiction licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. This article is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is based on the fictional universe of the SCP Foundation.
What’s your take on SCP-096? Which SCP do you find the most unsettling, or what are your thoughts on its containment procedures? Share your theories and thoughts in the comments below!
