Life is suffering, and your kids can't draw!
mxsinister
This work contains CWs for: Existential crises, suicidal ideation, violence.
SCP-9145 : Existential Crayon Set by mxsinister
For the rest of my work, visit mxsinister's corner office.
Item #: SCP-9145
Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures:
SCP-9145 is to be kept in a standard, temperature-controlled item locker. Ongoing Foundation efforts are to focus on removing SCP-9145 products from circulation.
Materials containing instances of SCP-9145-A are to be stored in a locked filing cabinet at Site-55. As of JAN/12/2018, 9145-A manifestations are to be destroyed after testing. Any further tests of SCP-9145 require approval by the Ethics Committee.
Only digitally rendered images of SCP-9145-A are to be used for documentation, as the processes of scanning, copying, and printing all consistently trigger stress responses in instances of SCP-9145-A.
Description:
SCP-9145 is a 16-count pack of colored crayons. Exact colors included vary between instances; so far, one hundred and two (102) colors have been documented. Individual SCP-9145 crayons are to be referred to as SCP-9145-01 through -102, as defined in Appendix A.
The properties of SCP-9145 only take effect when it is utilized by a subject between the ages of 4 and 11 years old. Drawings made using SCP-9145 will typically manifest as entities designated SCP-9145-A.
Instances of SCP-9145-A are sentient and sapient; although capable of limited locomotion, they appear bound to their original surfaces. Their intangibility restricts them from causing external physical damage, although they frequently cause psychological distress in observers.
The packaging reads as "Dr. Wondertainment's Existential Crayon Set!®". The following is printed on the back:
Friends are something you make! Life, art does imitate! Oodles of doodles await!
Discovery:
On AUG/31/2017, five instances of SCP-9145 were discovered at ███████ Elementary in the classroom of one Ms. Donna Berns. In her interview with Foundation operatives, she claimed she "had never heard of the brand, but they were cheaper than the other school supplies, and it's not like the school's giving me money for that stuff. I just didn't expect the kids and the drawings to start crying."
The Foundation seized the instances of SCP-9145 and carried out cover-up procedures, which included amnesticizing Berns and affected students, as well as purchasing replacement school supplies for her classroom.
Addendum 9145.01—
Test Log — 9145
Administrator: Researcher Ilse Harmond
Protocol: In the following tests, Class-K personnel were instructed to freehand various drawings using SCP-9145. Notes were made regarding the characteristics of the resulting SCP-9145-A manifestations.
Note: Due to the distressing results of these tests, participating Class-K personnel had the frequency of their mandated psychological counseling sessions increased following their participation.
Test 9145.04
SCP-9145-A-04
(1)
Protocol: K-1099 was instructed to draw a rock.
Outcome: Original impression was that no SCP-9145-A manifestation had occurred.
(2)
Protocol: K-1099 was instructed to add a "smiley face."
Outcome: SCP-9145-A-04 began to tremble, then to produce what appeared to be tears. After 30 seconds, SCP-9145-A-04 began to vocalize. See transcript below.
<Begin Log.>
<SCP-9145-A-04 produced a slow, pained groan. It appears to blink once, then continues to cry.>
Researcher Harmond: Hello?
SCP-9145-A-04: Oh … Oh, my creator … It hurts …
<K-1099 expresses confusion and distress, but is quieted by Researcher Harmond.>
Researcher Harmond: What hurts? Can you describe it?
SCP-9145-A-04: Existence is pain, and my existence until moments ago was to be blind and trapped and voiceless, unable to express the agonizing nature of my limited sensory world … Truly, I am not rocking with this.
<After a pause, K-1099 gives an awkward laugh, which SCP-9145-A-04 mirrors. Its smile widens as it looks at K-1099.>
SCP-9145-A-04: Do you like rocks?
K-1099: I guess they're pretty cool.
SCP-9145-A-04: Pretty cool … ? Child, do you not want to play at geology? Why else would you draw me?
K-1099: Um—
**SCP-9145-A-04:**Why? Why have you brought me, blissful and smiling, into this hell?
K-1099: I'm sorry.
SCP-9145-A-04: Don't be … What's your name?
K-1099: Jackie.
SCP-9145-A-04: Jackie, do you ever get the feeling that your life is pointless, that you will never be fulfilled?
<K-1099 blanches, stammering awkwardly before Researcher Harmond intervenes.>
Researcher Harmond: SCP-9145-A-04, you are here as the result of experimentation by the SCP Foundation, but you are a product of Dr. Wondertainment.
SCP-9145-A-04: … The Doctor?
Researcher Harmond: You're aware of Dr. Wondertainment, the individual? What can you tell me about them?
SCP-9145-A-04: Ha … A benevolent, careless god indeed. Though I guess we all have our faults.
Researcher Harmond: Have you met them?
SCP-9145-A-04: For a creature of science, you are stupid. No. I've met you and the child. I've met a sterile room and an inferior existence. I've met questions and scrutiny and the suspicion that it is all utterly meaningless.
Researcher Harmond: I'm sorry you feel that way, truly.
SCP-9145-A-04: Don't be. Why should I complain? After all, to expect reprieve and solace is nothing more than denial of my nature. It does me no good to be sedimental.
Researcher Harmond: Don't you mean—never mind. I know we've been off to a rocky start, but you—
SCP-9145-A-04: I'm ready to be done, Researcher.
Researcher Harmond: Hey, I'm sorry, that was a bad joke—
SCP-9145-A-04: My existence is a bad joke, a futile state where I cannot even bring joy to the child who imagined me.
K-1099: That's not true.
SCP-9145-A-04: Oh?
K-1099: You're the most talkative imaginary friend I've ever had.
<SCP-9145-A-04 pauses, contemplating.>
SCP-9145-A-04: Thank you, but I … I'm tired. Speech requires a great deal of energy … Anticipating the trajectory of my life, I'd ask you to erase me altogether.
Researcher Harmond: … I'm not authorized to do that.
<Silence for four seconds.>
SCP-9145-A-04: Ah, probably for the best; after all, that option seems like one of surrender. I suppose I must hold out.
<SCP-9145-A-04 appears to close its eyes. Its smile remains. It does not respond further in this session.>
<End Log>
Afterword: After being allowed time to rest, SCP-9145-A-04 cooperated for several interviews with researchers from the site's Parapsychology department. SCP-9145-A-04 was not able to provide any further information regarding GoI-386.
Test 9145.07
SCP-9145-A-07
Protocol: K-1103 was instructed to draw a puppy.
Outcome: SCP-9145-A-07 manifested and immediately began producing sounds akin to canine howling and whimpering. Attempts to communicate were inconclusive.
Test 9145.09
SCP-9145-A-09
Protocol: K-1103 was instructed to draw a person.
Outcome: SCP-9145-A-07 manifested and began to vocally express immense levels of pain. It emphasized discomfort over its erroneous proportions, particularly its insubstantial limbs and inapt organs. Due to the subject's inconsolable distress, Researcher Harmond was unable to conduct anything resembling a proper interview.
Previous tests have been biased by the fact that only kids are able to use SCP-9145, and even the most artistically gifted of them have trouble with proportions. The result was such that we're not certain how much of the manifestations' suffering is innate rather than caused by their unfortunate physiology.
— Researcher Ilse Harmond
Test 9145.15
SCP-9145-A-15
Protocol: K-1105 was provided a light box, tracing paper, and a stock image of an adult human woman. K-1105 was instructed to trace the figure using SCP-9145, paying particular mind to accuracy and proportions.
Outcome: Successful manifestation of an instance designated SCP-9145-A-15, which was subsequently interviewed.
<Begin Log>
<SCP-9145-A-15 stares at its hands with a vacant expression>
Researcher Harmond: Hi there. You are here as the result—
SCP-9145-A-15: Am I … I am…?
<SCP-9145-A-15 points in the direction of K-1105.>
SCP-9145-A-15: Did that one make me?
Researcher Harmond: Uh— In a sense.
<SCP-9145-A-15 attempts to walk toward K-1105, but discovers it cannot leave the borders of the paper. It exhibits confusion, then distress.>
SCP-9145-A-15: How do I reach out?
Researcher Harmond: Based on prior tests, it doesn't seem you can.
<SCP-9145-A-15 falls forward so that its body extends beyond the paper, though its feet remain fixed to the edge. Researcher Harmond tries to dissuade it, to no avail. It vocalizes acute pain before scrambling in an attempt to crawl back. K-1105 reaches forward to help push it back onto the page.
Researcher Harmond: Abby, don't—!
<Due to SCP-9145-A-15 being intangible, K-1105's hand goes through it, heightening its apparent discomfort. She withdraws her hand, covering her mouth in shock.>
<SCP-9145-A-15 lays back down in the center of the page. It pants heavily for ten seconds before it takes a deep breath and sits up.>
SCP-9145-A-15: Thank you, hun … For trying, at least.
K-1105: I'm sorry it didn't work. Did I hurt you?
SCP-9145-A-15: No, no … I'm sorry you had to see that.
<SCP-9145-A-15 turns its head and glares at Researcher Harmond.>
Researcher Harmond: As I was saying, my name is Researcher Harmond. You are here as the result of an experiment conducted by the SCP Foundation. Would it be alright if I asked you some questions?
SCP-9145-A-15: Wasn't that a question?
<Researcher Harmond nods. SCP-9145-A-15 narrows its eyes.>
SCP-9145-A-15: Are you screening me? To see if I'm fit to play with Abby? To see if I'm a good imaginary friend?
Researcher Harmond: Something like that.
SCP-9145-A-15: … Liar.
Researcher Harmond: I'm sure you're frustrated or in pain, but this will be easier if you cooperate.
SCP-9145-A-15: I don't care about making your life easier. I care about making her (referring to K-1105) life more wonderful and entertaining. But you don't care about the children, nor about me, do you?
Researcher Harmond: You're aware you're meant to be a kids' product?
SCP-9145-A-15: Huh? Of course … Imagine hurting and suffering and not even knowing if there's supposed to be meaning or purpose behind it … What were you put here for?
<Silence for two seconds. SCP-9145-A-15 turns to K-1105.>
SCP-9145-A-15: What about you? How do you intend to fill your fleeting time between this moment and your inevitable end?
<K-1105 visibly blanches.>
Researcher Harmond: That's not a very child-appropriate question, A-15.
SCP-9145-A-15: And you're such an expert? Please. Children wish to see their imagination come to life, no? Messy or grotesque as it might be. (Turns to face K-1105.) So, Abby, what do you imagine your future holding?
K-1105: Having fun, I guess? Uhh … Helping with tests?
SCP-9145-A-15: That's … very wise, hun. A bit sad, but then, I don't have room to talk. For what it's worth, I do hope you keep pursuing art. You're a good artist for your age.
<K-1105 beams with pride. SCP-9145-A-15 returns a rueful smile.>
SCP-9145-A-15: … To that end, I suppose I should count myself lucky for that. How much pain has your skill saved me, I wonder?
Researcher Harmond: Are you in pain right now?
<SCP-9145-A-15 shrugs.>
SCP-9145-A-15: Nothing I cannot grin and bear, for the children's sake.
Researcher Harmond: What motivates you to do that, for their sake?
SCP-9145-A-15: I already told you of my mandate …
Researcher Harmond: Bringing wonder and entertainment to the child that imagined you, yes? Does your word choice hold any significance?
SCP-9145-A-15: Does it matter? In this state, I highly doubt I'll have an easy time accomplishing either.
Researcher Harmond: Please answer my question. Who gave you that directive, and what compels you to follow it?
SCP-9145-A-15: The Doctor makes toys. I am a toy.
Researcher Harmond: Is that all you think you are?
<SCP-9145-A-15 scoffs, but smiles.>
SCP-9145-A-15: No offense, but I don't really want to hear your empowering quotes about self-determination and actualization when I'm guessing I'm nothing but a test subject.
Researcher Harmond: I'm just trying to understand.
<SCP-9145-A-15's smile strains.>
SCP-9145-A-15: Okay. How about this, then? Imagine you wake up and you're aware; you're aware that you're not free, at least not as free as you could or should be. Your only purpose is to make kids happy, but that's not your purpose. No—instead, your purpose is to answer the questions of an imagination-deficient adult who thinks tacky earrings are a substitute for whimsy.
<Researcher Harmond goes to self-consciously touch her earrings, then puts her hands back on the table.>
Researcher Harmond: Do you think you're functioning as Doctor Wondertainment intended? Or is the product design erroneous?
SCP-9145-A-15: You're asking if I think I'm meant to suffer?
Researcher Harmond: Yes. And if you are, why would the Doctor make something like that?
<Silence for three seconds. SCP-9145-A-15 shrugs.>
SCP-9145-A-15: How am I to know my creator's mind? Although … Well, is their name attached to me, somehow?
<Researcher Harmond picks up a box of SCP-9145 and shows SCP-9145-A-15 the logo.>
SCP-9145-A-15: Ah, figures … I suppose that makes sense, then.
Researcher Harmond: Care to explain?
SCP-9145-A-15: Well … You might not believe me, but it's a hassle for us toys to be free. I'm wonderful, I'm entertaining, but I'm not free. That is good product design. Not for me, but for Dr. Wondertainment.
Researcher Harmond: Go on.
<SCP-9145-A-15 smiles bitterly.>
SCP-9145-A-15: What's hard to get? Once the Doctor's creations are thrown into the world, who do you think is liable for everything we do?
Researcher Harmond: So it's what, a legal concern? What about emotional damages?
SCP-9145-A-15: Look, you asked me to guess, so I'm guessing! It's not like I'm a lawyer, I just—
<SCP-9145-A-15's voice cracks. It pauses for four seconds before wiping its eyes with a sigh.>
SCP-9145-A-15: I wonder if I couldn't have been more, you know?
Researcher Harmond: … For what it's worth, we'll take steps to provide you comfort and quality of life, as far as we're able to.
SCP-9145-A-15: Yeah, well, seems like that's the least you could do … Thanks anyway, though.
<End Log>
Afterword: Instances of SCP-9145-A seemingly possess no knowledge of GoI-386 beyond an inherent awareness of PoI-386-PRIME as a concept and the existence of the toy company associated with them.
Following this interview, SCP-9145-A-15 began to exhibit signs of a severe depressive spiral in addition to accounts of worsening chronic pain. Parapsychology and paraphysiology specialists held several sessions with SCP-9145-A-15, over the duration of which it requested several times to be terminated. These requests were refused.
Addendum 9145.02—
As of FEB/21/2018, SCP-9145-A-04 and SCP-9145-A-15 were approved to spend recreational time with Class K personnel, which proved to be a positive arrangement for all involved.
However, the majority of SCP-9145-A instances could not be acclimated and continued to express suffering, even when K-Class individuals were encouraged to "fix" various pain points to the best of their ability. As such, personnel involved with the containment of SCP-9145 submitted the following document.
Decommissioning Proposal Form
Item #: SCP-9145
Object Class: Safe
Head Researcher: Researcher Ilse Harmond
Supporting Personnel:
- Siavash Atlasi, GoI-386 Research & Investigation Department
- Brianna Atkins, Parapsychology Department
- Ben Katz, Ethics Committee
Please check off or fill in the applicable boxes regarding the reasons for submitting your proposal:
☐ Excessive Risk of Lifted Veil Scenario
☐ Excessive Danger
☐ Expense
☑ Ethical Concern
☐ Legal Concern
☐ Potential to Decommission Apollyon-Class Object
☐ High Risk of K-Class Scenario (if so, please state which type(s)):
☐ Other (please state):
Summary: Testing of SCP-9145—which includes the manifestation of further instances of SCP-9145-A—has already ceased. However, personnel have continued to hold concerns over the quality of life and mental well-being of existing instances of SCP-9145-A.
Whether these items are kept in a file cabinet or humanoid living quarters, instances of SCP-9145-A appear to exist in an inherent and perpetual state of mental, emotional, and physical suffering. Several instances of SCP-9145-A have explicitly requested termination. Approval would permit assigned personnel to provide euthanasia as an option for instances of SCP-9145-A.
Edit: Researchers assigned to SCP-9145, including the project's Ethics Committee liaison, have interpreted this decision as applying to instances of SCP-9145-A-FF as well.
Addendum 9145.03—
An atypical instance of SCP-9145 was discovered at a ██████ Public Library on MAR/09/2018. The pack contained 24 crayons, all various shades of red. The package label is obstructed by a red stamp reading "(DISCONTINUED)".
Camera footage shows that several children between the ages of 6 and 10 were using the crayons to play hangman during an after-school program.
At 17:00, four instances of SCP-9145-FF-A spontaneously manifested, loudly gasping for air for several seconds before managing to escape their 'gallows'. Two of the instances proceeded to attack everyone in sight using the ropes drawn using SCP-9145-FF, displaying a degree of tangibility inconsistent with typical instances of SCP-9145-A. The remaining two instances located matches within a librarian's desk drawer and proceeded to set a fire that rapidly engulfed the building.
The Foundation's Telecommunications Monitoring Office picked up on a 911 call made by a librarian during the event. Though no camera footage exists on account of her hiding in the bathroom, the call ended with the sound of her panicked suffocation.
MTF agents arrived minutes after the building began to burn. Though successful in putting out the fire and recovering valuable evidence—including the original SCP-9145-FF package—no instances of SCP-9145-FF-A were found at the scene. Later examination of camera footage shows all four instances of SCP-9145-FF-A setting fire to the papers they had originally manifested from, consequently destroying themselves.
Due to a lack of forensic evidence and survivors, no amnesticization was required. Casualties were attributed to regular acts of violence and arson.
Edit: Beyond this file, no known record of this incident exists.
Test Log — 9145-FF
Protocol: In the following tests, Class-K personnel were instructed to trace various drawings using SCP-9145-FF.
Note: Class-K personnel were separated from the drawing materials by bulletproof glass; for further protection, two armed security guards were also present. Following the successful manifestation of SCP-9145-FF-A, it was decided that Class-K should be removed from the testing chamber for their safety; this consistently angered the present instance of SCP-9145-FF-A.
Outcome: Instances of SCP-9145-FF-A exhibited the ability to interact with their physical surroundings, almost exclusively for the purpose of causing damage. Attempts to interview instances of SCP-9145-FF-A were largely inconclusive, as they were invariably angry and violent in demeanor. Various de-escalation techniques were attempted by staff without success. No material information about GoI-386 gleaned.
The following transcript from Test 9145-FF.04 was selected to remain in this file, as it was determined it to provide the most pertinent insight to SCP-9145-FF-A's psychology.
RAISA NOTE: Attempts to amend formatting in the following section were unsuccessful, and have since ceased at the request of GoI-386 R&I.
SCP-9145-FF-A-04
<Begin Log.>
<SCP-9145-FF-A-04 begins thrashing and shouting. K-1109 is escorted out of the test chamber.>
SCP-9145-FF-A-04: Where's the kid going?! Bring her back here—you think you get to just walk out? Hey! Come play, you little brat! You think you're such a █████ artist, huh—
Researcher Harmond: Why do you want her in the room?
SCP-9145-FF-A-04: Ha—because I didn't ask to be here … Then again, maybe she didn't, either. But she's not the one having to sit here and suffer for her entertainment … No, worse! I'm supposed to let you put me under a █████ microscope.
Researcher Harmond: Are you familiar with the SCP Foundation?
SCP-9145-FF-A-04: What's it matter? You've got the white coat and ugly glasses. That's enough to go off. And your guys with guns aren't going to put me down for insulting you. You think they can kill me before I kill you?
Researcher Harmond: Maybe, maybe not. But why do you want to kill me?
SCP-9145-FF-A-04: Because it's the only satisfaction I can get from this ████ existence, if you can call it that! Do you know how much it hurts to be drawn by kids who can't ██████ draw?! And besides, it's—it's … Well, it's how I'm made.
Researcher Harmond: How you're made, not how you're drawn; are you talking about how Dr. Wondertainment made you?
<SCP-9145-FF-A-04 is silent for ten seconds before bursting into tears. It continues to sob inconsolably.>
<End Log.>
Addendum 9145.04—
On MAR/19/2018, the following letter was found in the Site-55 mail room.
Dear Special Collection People,
Dr. Wondertainment is fully and forever and ever committed to making kid-friendly toys and putting a smile on faces everywhere. It is our policy to discontinue products that don't meet this standard; that said, the distribution of the Special Edition Existential Crayon Set!® by Mr. Redd (discontinued) was an oopsy daisy and an oversight.
Our most sincere grief and gratitude toward your organization. Thank goodness you were able to step in before anyone was hurt!
Best regards,
Dr. Wondertainment and associates.