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Credits
Title: SCP-2733-JP - The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions Everywhere, and There Are Even Signposts
Author: ©︎aisurakuto
Year Created: 2020
An SCP-2733-JP instance discovered by an affected individual.
Item #: SCP-2733-JP
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: Since SCP-2733-JP is only recognized through its affected subjects, information security is not required beyond minimal cover-up efforts. If a subject is discovered through eyewitness accounts, social media posts, or similar sources, their predicted area of presence is to be temporarily cordoned off for investigation. Following the apprehension, the subject is to be amnesticized and then released.
Description: SCP-2733-JP is a series of signs that manifest in accordance with a certain continuous sequence. These signs invariably feature a directional symbol and the word "HELL"1. Its appearance takes the form commonly observed in the city, such as wall and roof decorations, signboards, posters and Braille. SCP-2733-JP instances are consistently distinguished by their crude, handmade-style aesthetic.
When an individual in a specific situation (hereinafter referred to as "the subject") discovers SCP-2733-JP and moves to the indicated direction voluntarily, another SCP-2733-JP instance appears along the path. Thereafter, SCP-2733-JP instances continue to manifest each time the subject moves according to their instructions. If the subject voluntarily ignores SCP-2733-JP and moves to a different direction, SCP-2733-JP ceases to manifest. The subject is unable to perceive SCP-2733-JP instances they have already walked past; this suggests that the existence of SCP-2733-JP is tied to the subject's recognition.
The first SCP-2733-JP instance, which serves as a starting point, manifests without any observable pattern. However, subsequent SCP-2733-JP instances select a route that is easily accessible, such as a paved road. This route is often reported to have better security and nighttime lighting than the surrounding area. SCP-2733-JP may also indicate restaurants and accommodations, which will necessarily ensure the subject's availability of food and rest. In the event of any trouble, the subject can incidentally receive appropriate assistance by moving in the direction indicated by SCP-2733-JP. Due to these factors, the probability of the affected subject's death is estimated to be negligible.
To date, the subjects secured by the Foundation have shared the following characteristics in common.
- An unstable living environment prior to the discovery of SCP-2733-JP.
- Lack of any guiding goals or relationships that require some activity to maintain them (such as family and religion).
- Has a negative view of the above and is pessimistic about the current situation.
- Inherent suicidal ideation, and hesitation towards actual self-harm.
As a result of their mental state, the subjects tend to choose to follow SCP-2733-JP. In fact, all subjects discovered by the Foundation to date were motivated to follow SCP-2733-JP and reach the place that is supposed to be "HELL". Most subjects who had been under the influence of SCP-2733-JP for more than two months considered their submission to SCP-2733-JP a painless means of suicide and intuitively perceived "HELL" as a abstract but identical concept to death. Based on these circumstances, it is speculated that SCP-2733-JP deliberately selects individuals likely to subordinate themselves to it and positions the starting point for them accordingly.
While most subjects reportedly felt relief at being under the influence of SCP-2733-JP, they also experienced considerable frustration and anxiety about not reaching their destination. Some of them were skeptical about the existence of "HELL", were confused by the fact they were being kept alive, and were emotionally exhausted. However, the fear of losing sight of SCP-2733-JP made it difficult for the subjects to escape its influence without changing their mindset. The longest period of influence observed to date is approximately fifty years; the subject in question had perceived SCP-2733-JP up until the moment of death.
No subject has been confirmed to have reached their supposed destination by following SCP-2733-JP.