If theatrical masks unsettle you, honestly, I can't blame you. They seem to hide a dark, perverse side, completely transforming whoever wears them. Is that their nature, or do they only serve as a seal to contain something else? This question brings us back to the archives of the SCP Foundation, where we find a very special case: SCP-035. At first glance, it's a theatrical mask like any other. But if you can truly see it, you're already too close to it... and it's too late.
A Discovery in Venice
What kind of fundamental horrors hide in common objects? How do they get there in the first place? Was it a premeditated action, or a desperate last-minute maneuver? Unfortunately, these questions rarely have solid answers, and all that remains is the horror, along with the efforts to contain it. In the case of SCP-035, those efforts are increasingly... and less effective. The story of this SCP begins with its discovery inside a sealed crypt beneath an abandoned house in Venice, at some point in the 19th century (the exact date is classified information). Its appearance is that of a simple comedy mask made of porcelain. The fact that it can change from comedy to tragedy by itself warns us that something is very wrong with that mask... but the worst part is the liquid.
SCP-035 emits from its eyes and mouth a highly corrosive liquid that corrupts and deteriorates everything it touches. Glass has shown some resistance to that corruption, and the Foundation uses it as its main container, but it still must be replaced every two weeks. The liquid leak always happens from the front of the mask, and it is never seen on the other side. Despite the disturbing sight, anyone who makes eye contact or is within 2 meters of SCP-035 will feel a huge desire to wear the mask. The Foundation decided... to experiment on more than one occasion with this property. When the mask is put on, the user suffers immediate brain death and is 'replaced' by a new emerging personality. This consciousness trapped in SCP-035 causes a severe decomposition of the physical body it controls, until it turns into something similar to a mummy, but it never loses cognitive ability.
A Malevolent Intelligence
SCP-035 is extremely intelligent and charismatic, with a superlative linguistic command. It also possesses information about historical events and other SCPs, which is of considerable value to the Foundation. However, a series of subsequent psychological analyses revealed that SCP-035 has a manipulative and sadistic nature. With a few words it managed to transform several staff members into simple servants, or has driven them to suicide. The human mind is like clay to SCP-035, and it even admits that the only thing it needs to 'change' someone is time. This was proven beyond any doubt after an escape attempt. SCP-035 convinced part of the research team to release it, and security forces were forced to use lethal force. Several linked incidents led to the decision to permanently seal SCP-035 and deny access to other hosts. Staff protests (including violent actions) only confirmed the extent of its corruption. All those who had contact with SCP-035 were purged.
The Nightmare of Containment
From this point on, containing SCP-035 became a nightmare. The walls of its cell drip with blood. It uses the liquid to write dark passages in Italian, Greek, and Latin, or creates diagrams with sacrifice and mutilation rituals. One of the teams tasked with translating the passages committed mass suicide. Other researchers say they hear laughter and whispers. The amount of blood is so great that SCP-035 has managed to create tentacles to grab or attack personnel. The Foundation's current strategy is to move SCP-035 to a new cell whenever necessary, but others insist on reinstating its communication privileges. Is that the best option, or wasn't the first purge enough...?
https://old.neoteo.com/creepypasta-scp-173/
