Ivan Kaiser was on the way to a meeting following one of his new inventions. It was a meeting about the limitations of his invention, how to use it, and in what circumstances it could be useful.

Although important, he valued his mental integrity over this meeting, as he had already taken part in three meetings in rapid succession.

Taking his time, with smaller steps than usual, the sudden explosion next to him sent him to the floor. His confusion only grew when the lights turned off, plunging the corridor into darkness.

Realizing the situation he was in, Ivan instinctively reached for his smartwatch to gather information and assess the threat. However, to his dismay, he realized he had forgotten his smartwatch in his office. Panic gripped his chest as he strained to make out anything in the pitch-black surroundings.

Feeling disoriented and vulnerable, Ivan's mind raced with thoughts of the potential dangers lurking in the darkness. He knew he had to remain calm and think clearly. Groping along the wall for support, he slowly started to inch forward, cautiously feeling his way through the corridor.

Every step was deliberate, every movement measured, as Ivan relied on his senses to navigate the unfamiliar territory. His ears strained to catch any sound that might provide a clue or guide him to safety. The echoes of his own footsteps reverberated, adding to the eerie ambiance.

Without any visual cues, Ivan's mind conjured unsettling images, his imagination fueled by fear. Every creak and rustle seemed magnified, heightening his unease.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, that unseen eyes were fixed upon him from the shadows.

As he ventured deeper into the darkness, his heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. The oppressive silence weighed heavily upon him, broken only by the sound of his own breath, ragged and anxious.

Ivan's thoughts raced, contemplating the possibilities of what could have caused the explosion and the sudden loss of light. Was it a breach, an anomaly unleashed upon the facility? His mind raced through potential scenarios, each more terrifying than the last.

Time seemed to stretch as he continued his cautious progress. The darkness became suffocating, pressing in on him from all sides.

Doubt gnawed at his resolve, but he knew he couldn't succumb to fear. He had to find a way a way out of this.

Suddenly, Ivan's attention was drawn to a peculiar sight on the walls. Eyes started growing on the walls, their strange shapes and details captivating his gaze despite the danger.

He shook his head, and picked up his pace, desperately hoping to find an exit.

But his escape was short-lived. In the disorienting darkness, he collided with an unseen obstacle, sending him crashing to the floor. Stunned and disoriented, Ivan kept his eyes closed, waiting for his demise. He knew the anomaly wouldn't let him go.

...

As the doors sealed shut, Alex found himself locked outside, separated from the rest of the team. A surge of anxiety coursed through him, exacerbated by a sudden onset of an intense migraine. He instinctively reached for the radio, a lifeline connecting him to his friends and to Blank, the entity accompanying them.

In that moment, Alex's mind raced, grappling with the gravity of the situation. The darkness loomed, and the stakes were high.

Alex: Blank, buddy, can you hear me? It's Alex.

Blank: [Static crackles, followed by a faint response] Yeah, Alex, I'm here. What's happening? Why did the doors close?

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Alex: Hey there, champ. Listen, we're dealing with something called SCP-0010. It's a real nasty piece of work. The doors closed to keep it contained.

Blank: I can feel something... It's scary, Alex. What should I do?

Alex: I know, kiddo. It's a lot to take in. But you know what? I've talked to you earlier, and I know you are stronger than that. Take a few breathers; It helps me when something scary happens.

Blank: I... I'll try, Alex. But it's really hard.

Alex: I know it is, buddy. But you're not alone. We're here for you, every step of the way. It's important for you to understand that your fear is impacting your friends as well.. We're a team, and we need each other's strength. Can you find that it inside you?

Blank: [Confused] Alex, why are you talking so loud?

Alex: Oh, sorry bud. Sometimes when I'm worried, my voice gets a bit loud. But that's because I care about you and everyone else. I need you to understand how important it is for all of us to stay calm. Can you help me with that?

A heavy silence followed Alex's explanation. Slowly, Blank's panic began to subside as he considered Alex's words. He realized that his fear was indeed causing harm to his friends, and he couldn't let that continue.

Blank: [Softly] Okay, Alex. I'll try to be strong. But it's still scary.

Alex: That's my guy! I'm proud of you, Blank. Remember, we're in this together. Keep talking to me, and let's figure out how to get through this darkness. You're doing great, kiddo.

...

A chilling sensation crawled up his spine, followed by another and another, like electrical currents jerking his body. The feeling intensified as cold, bony fingers landed on his skin, enveloping every cell in contact with the anomaly. Ivan's screams echoed through the darkness as more and more hands gripped him, causing him unimaginable pain.

Just when he thought he couldn't bear it any longer, a chilling, weak, and uneven voice pierced through the torment. It commanded him to stop whatever he was doing wrong. Ivan's blood ran cold as he complied, ceasing his screams and squirming.

As if in response to his compliance, the torment ceased, and silence descended upon the corridor. Ivan lay there, his mind disconnected from reality, unsure of what was happening. He waited, suspended in the unknown, hoping for some clarity, but time seemed to stretch endlessly.

Ivan Kaiser's heart pounded in his chest as he mustered the courage to open his eyes. With trepidation, he peered into the shades of darkness, and a chilling realization washed over him. Before him, painted by the shifting shadows themselves, was a face unlike any he had ever seen. It defied logic, ethereal and ever-changing, yet he instinctively associated it with the horror following him.

As Ivan's eyes locked with the entity, a profound transformation began to unfold. The initially serene and content expression gradually twisted, contorting into an expression of pure rage. Darkness amassed around the entity, shrouding it in layers of deep, sinister wrinkles, distorting its once benign allure.

The creature's presence filled the corridor, its unhurried approach instilling a primal fear within Ivan.

Trapped and bereft of any means of escape, Ivan found himself unable to tear his gaze away from the monstrous entity. The thousands of eyes that sprouted across its form pierced his very soul, plunging him into the depths of his own worst nightmares. Each scene played out before him, a macabre symphony of torment that relentlessly assaulted his sanity.

Driven to the edge of despair, Ivan's grip tightened around the invention nestled in his pocket. In a final act of desperation, he drew the sharp edge of the device across his chest, a painful reminder that it was never meant to be used for such purposes.

Suddenly, bright light flashes overwhelmed the creature, momentarily halting its advance. The screeches that had filled the air ceased, allowing Ivan to escape the grasp of his own nightmares.

As the creature retreated from the intense lights, Ivan's battered body succumbed to its weakness, plunging him into a deep slumber.

Unbeknownst to him, Sarah Ignes, one of the agents tasked with containing SCP-0010 and leading the operation, quickly dispatched someone to retrieve the unidentified body lying on the floor. Meanwhile, she orchestrated the strategic placement of high-intensity flashlights, effectively cornering the entity, SCP-0010, in the hallway.

With calculated precision, the teams guided the anomaly toward its designated enclosure, a secure area with light-absorbing walls that would keep the monster at bay until its next outburst.

After successfully securing SCP-0010 back into its enclosure, a collective sigh of relief swept through the agents involved in the operation. The corridor was once again bathed in the comforting glow of restored light. Sarah Ines, the leader of the teams entrusted with containing the creature, felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her upon hearing that the doctor, Ivan Kaiser, had survived the encounter.

With the immediate crisis averted, Sarah turned her attention to the next steps in ensuring the continued containment and study of SCP-0010. The facility would need to undergo a thorough assessment to identify any vulnerabilities or improvements needed in its security measures.

As she oversaw the final stages of the operation and the extraction of the surviving doctor, Sarah couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in her team's accomplishments. They had successfully faced and subdued one of the most fearsome anomalies.