It was brought to staff attention that Doctor Hazel Cooper (account age 1355 days, site membership 866 days) posted the article: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8902, which contained multiple indicators of AI-generation.
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|item-number= 8902
|clearance= 3
|container-class= keter
|secondary-class= none
|secondary-icon= none
|disruption-class= ekhi
|risk-class= danger
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Special Containment Procedures: SCP-8902 is to be monitored through satellite images and reports from local towns across the United States. Any potential SCP-8902 locations identified must be reported to Site-██ for assessment. All personnel with Class D clearance are to avoid engaging with SCP-8902 establishments unless authorized for experimentation. Containment teams are to enter these stores only in groups of no fewer than three, equipped with handheld EMF detectors and recording devices. Local law enforcement is to be alerted to prevent civilian proximity during the containment process.
Description: SCP-8902 is a rapidly expanding chain of seasonal retail stores, primarily marketed as Halloween pop-up shops known as Spirit Halloween. Each SCP-8902 instance manifests in previously abandoned retail locations, effectively overtaking the space and transforming it into a fully operational store. The phenomenon has been observed predominantly in the United States, often appearing around late August and continuing to operate through November.
Upon activation, SCP-8902 displays unusual properties. The interior is filled with elaborate Halloween-themed decorations, animatronics, and costumes. However, the anomalous nature of SCP-8902 becomes apparent when exploring the gaudy aisles. The store appears to exist outside normal spatial and temporal constraints; time dilation effects have been reported, causing patrons to perceive hours passing within a few minutes in real time.
Furthermore, interactions with SCP-8902's merchandise can lead to unpredictable psychological effects. Customers tend to become overwhelmed with nostalgia, which can quickly escalate into obsession with memories tied to Halloween celebrations from their childhood. Over time, repeated exposure has resulted in various psychological disorders among frequent visitors, including heightened paranoia, hallucinations, and an unyielding desire to return to the store.
Addendum A - Incident Report SCP-8902-01:
On October 15, 2023, Foundation agents investigating local reports of strange occurrences at a Spirit Halloween store in [REDACTED], were dispatched to the scene. The team observed several individuals lingering outside the store entrance, exhibiting signs of distress. Upon entering, agents noted that the store was unsettlingly silent despite being filled with customers. Upon further investigation, it was found that each individual present was engaged in hearty discussions with life-sized animatronics, perceived as friendly spirits of deceased relatives.
The team initiated containment procedures, but were interrupted as SCP-8902's interior shifted, rearranging itself reminiscent of a labyrinth. Tension escalated when the animatronics began to interact with the agents, spouting phrases from their past and claiming they were there to “help” their loved ones move on, effectively luring the agents into deep psychological traps.
Rescue efforts had to be initiated when Agent ██████ reported seeing his late mother's figure among the animatronics, prompting a significant breach of protocol as he attempted to approach her. In a disorienting rush of motion, the store’s displays shifted and captured several agents within cramped, disorienting aisles.
The containment team eventually managed to use an EMP device to disrupt the anomalous properties of SCP-8902, allowing them to effectuate a retreat with two agents severely mentally incapacitated due to their prolonged exposure to the emotional traps. Psychological evaluations confirmed symptoms consistent with severe trauma, leading to administrative action regarding SCP-7331 interactions.
Addendum B - Experiment Log SCP-8902-04:
Objective: To determine the extent and limitations of SCP-8902's psychological impact.
Procedure: D-Class personnel were instructed to enter SCP-8902 during active hours with specific role-playing prompts designed to trigger nostalgia, such as costume exploration and discussion of Halloween traditions.
Results:
Subject D-221 noted intense feelings of nostalgia, reminiscing about Halloween events from his childhood.
Subject D-223 began arguing with a life-sized Freddy Krueger animatronic, insisting it needed to return to its resting place, claiming “this isn’t the past.”
Post-experiment interviews indicated that both subjects experienced visions of deceased family members during their time within SCP-8902.
Conclusion: SCP-8902 not only represents a physical retail presence but also a figurative echo of human fear, loss, and attachment. Further long-term studies indicate a correlation between seasonal exposure to SCP-7331 and subsequent mental health decline in subjects, leading to the conclusion that SCP-7331 serves as a conduit connecting individuals to their pasts, often with malevolent intent.
As the 2023 Halloween season approaches, fear grows among Foundation personnel regarding SCP-8902’s potential amplification and uncontainable divergence across urban centers. The request for increased surveillance and containment efficiency is under review, and a secondary task force is being prepared for immediate deployment should the phenomenon escalate.
The store might only be seasonal, but the emotional hauntings of Spirit Halloween may linger long after the lights go out.
Notes: There are 6 total revisions on the article, though all are formatting changes. No sandbox exists for this article.
Disc Team, please weigh in.