redo

Reminder: This article is part of the International Contest! Of course, you can vote on this article here, however, for the contest, only votes on this page's counterpart on the international wiki count.

Photograph depicting SCP-4981-A & SCP-4981-B at their wedding, dated 1999/03/13.

Item #: SCP-4981

Object Class: Neutralized

Special Containment Procedures: MTF Xi-76 ("Mother Mara") guard the building that both SCP-4981-B and SCP-4981-A were last housed in.

+ Previous procedures

Security personnel currently guard the entrance to SCP-4981-B's rental apartment, disguised as custodial staff. Clinical Psychologist Yan Kazansky is conducting biweekly sessions and evaluations on SCP-4981-B.

Description: SCP-4981-A is the preserved corpse of Jana Kovalev. SCP-4981-B is Nestor Kovalev, a former chemist and husband of the deceased. Both are situated in their one-bedroom rental apartment in Astrakhan, Russia. Despite SCP-4981-A being observable via direct contact, video capture, drawings, photography, and scanning equipment, SCP-4981-B cannot see or touch SCP-4981-A.¹

Documents which pertain to SCP-4981-A experience minor alterations in the form of spontaneous sentences (as highlighted in black by Foundation translators) via an unknown source.

SCP-4981-A is anomalously resistant to decomposition, and as such, is in exceptional condition. The preservation of SCP-4981-A is due in part to its low internal temperature (measuring 50°C less than room temperature consistently) and an unknown, semi-viscous blue fluid (SCP-4981-A-ŽIVA), originating from its thalamus. SCP-4981-A-ŽIVA possesses trace amounts of liquid nitrogen and fentanyl. Occasionally, it manifests in damaged walls of nearby rooms.

In the event that SCP-4981-B is convinced to egress through a door or window in his domicile and has exited fully, SCP-4981-B dematerializes and manifests adjacent to SCP-4981-A. SCP-4981-B refuses to acknowledge its anomalous properties.

Addenda.4981.1 - Compiled Report Pertaining to Initial Discovery:

Compiled by Lieutenant Bogdanov of MTF Xi-76 from various case files and reports surrounding the anomaly for the purpose of brevity.

SCP-4981-B's residence indicated by the red circle.

Flagged Eviction Notice

On August 25, 2011, web crawlers had flagged a 60-Day notice to vacate form filed at the behest of the landlord of Pleasant Apartments Rentals, which cited icicles forming on the ceiling of a room below SCP-4981-B's apartment. A previously unknown blue viscous substance, later identified as SCP-4981-A-ŽIVA, was detected from the melted remains.

A field agent confronted the landlord under the false pretense of repairing a broken water pipe, which the landlord had believed to be the cause of leak and ceiling damage. The audio log is transcribed below:

► 4981/disc_log_01.mp4

[[BEGIN LOG]]

---

Sebastian Zubarev (field agent): Greetings, Mr. Yefimov.

Andrew Yefimov (landlord): That was fast.

Sebastian: No traffic, a rare blessing.

Andrew: Hah. Lucky me. Not as rare as this shit.

Sebastian: Ah, so it's over there then? Let's see what we're… whoa-

Andrew: And that's just the fucking drywall connected to the bathroom. Lord knows what they've done to the bedroom. I'm running out of buckets because the damned walls and ceiling won't stop bleeding. Look, just look!

Sebastian: Christ, I'm surprised the ceiling hasn't fallen.

Andrew: See what my tenants do?

Sebastian: Your tenants did this?

Andrew: Its the Kovalevs.

Sebastian: Can't you reach them?

Andrew: Not by email, phone, angry texts. How the hell am I supposed to run a business if these- these packrats hold my rooms hostage! I regret giving Mr. Kovalev an extension.

Sebastian: Oh?

Andrew: Apparently, and this is on account of me seeing her what, like, twice, going in-and-out of the building last year, Mrs. Kovalev is bedridden.

Sebastian: How terrible. Do you know what's ailing her?

Andrew: I remember both of them went up to my office to plead for a 6 month long no payment period, just until they could sort their finances. Well… Mr. Kovalev did most of the begging. Mrs. Kovalev was silent. She was a small little thing. Pale-blue eyes but paler skin. She wore no make-up which made it easy to spot the gangrene and yellow in her complexion. She smelled unwashed and looked older than what Mr. Kovalev told me.

he called her his ladybug and loved her like property

Sebastian: Damned, that sounds like a tougher job than mine. Did anything else happen?

Andrew: Hmm. Yeah. I wasn't here for this, but neighbors recalled a loud argument between the two. Woke up everyone within five rooms of their room.

he dreamt of freedom, but awoke with a coughing, sick thing.

Sebastian: A domestic dispute?

Andrew: Weird black_h? Unless Mr. Kovalev decided to yell at himself, I severely doubt his wife had the strength to yell that loud. Doesn't seem like the man's the type to take on a mistress, I'll give him that. Stoic fucker, that one. Since then, nothing. I could probably hear a cockroach shit given how quiet that room is.

he became indebted to doctors, till they received him no more.

Sebastian: Well, why don't you try opening the door to their room?

he didn't let anything leave: he promised her he wouldn't, huddled beside her, applying the catheter.

Andrew: You didn't think I tried? Something's blocking the front entrance. What's worse is, you see that blue shit crawling down the walls? It's scaring the living hell out of tenants on the same floor. Making holes and damp spots in the rooms adjacent. Mr. Kovalev moved a few of his lab chemicals in there. Half-afraid I open the door and boom- my head goes splat because the fucker went crazy and set some improvised explosives near the door.

---

[[END LOG]]

---

MTF Xi-76 was deployed. They breached the door with a battering ram, toppling the cabinet aligned at the forwardmost entrance of the room. At the same time, a half-naked SCP-4981-B attempted to assault personnel with a frying-pan but was quickly apprehended.

Panicking as the task force personnel attempted to handcuff him, he flung excrement at them and yelled glossolalic phrases. SCP-4981-B's anomalous properties were revealed after personnel attempted to remove him from the premises.

Afterward, the task force personnel traveled further into the residence. They removed piles of old newspaper, waste disposal bags, and cardboard boxes stacked near the entrance to the kitchen. Spoiled food and unwashed dishes were found on the tables and sinks. The walls and ceiling were written in Cyrillic (mostly incomprehensible) with a solution comprised of SCP-4981-B's blood and urine. The words that reappeared most were "saltwater", "blood" and "replace."

The subject refused to answer questions on the burnt stacks of paper by his trash disposable; the scrawlings on them could not be reproduced by forensics personnel.

Surrounding the bedroom were stacks of books and shelves. SCP-4981-A was found situated underneath a satin bedsheet on a queen-sized mattress.

Medical Audit

An audit into SCP-4981-A's medical history was performed. Only one outpatient email was found in Astrakhan Centre for Cardiovascular Surgery, which matched a shredded print-out found underneath SCP-4981-A's bed.

► 4981/release_forms.md

DATE: 2011/04/11

CONFIDENTIAL

This is the final notice in regards to a hospital charge & settlement dispute.

Patient Name: Jana Kovalev
Service Date: 2005/09/04 - 2010/10/21
Primary Insurance: Self-pay (private healthcare)

To the primary care provider,

Our administration's repeated attempts to collect the balance due for the above-referenced patient have been ignored. Given you have opted out of the Federal Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund and have consulted our insurers in Medsi, we have sent over 12 payment requests this year.

Treatment and pharmaceutical plans for:

• Endocarditis,
• Chronic Pain,
• Cystic fibrosis,
• Acute hypoxia,

have since been discontinued.

Should immediate payment be paid in full via credit or insurance vendors, our physicians will be able to readminister the treatment plans for the associated ailments. Further requests for medicine are denied.

We request you immediately address the extensive charges for healthcare services provided with an outside collection agency.

there, in an alleyway, besides old Soviet concrete, he sought her cure. It was a horrible cure. An old witch's cure. The grotto's black. Caspain seawater in a plastic bottle.
Sincerely,

Dmitri Reiner

Enclosure:
For more extensive medical background history, previous medical treatment plans, and ancillary documents regarding the patient please see attachments.

---

Addenda.4981.2 - Therapy Session:

After biohazard staff cleaned the apartment room, Chief Clinical Psychologist Yan Kazansky was assigned as SCP-4981-B's primary therapist. Biweekly sessions were scheduled. Yan Kazansky was instructed to build a rapport with SCP-4981-B. Several weeks after initial containment, SCP-4981-B had begun to speak more candidly to Dr. Kazansky.

The following is a transcript taken from the session:

► 4981/session/transcript_06.md

[[BEGIN LOG]]

---

[CCTV camera depicts Yan sitting on a plastic chair while Nestor sits on a brown, tattered recliner holding a cigarette between his forefinger and middlefinger.]

He loved to smoke. He did it daily now that she was gone, but doused the furniture with air freshener, as if she still breathed.

Nestor: Came upon a realization today, Yan. Would you like to hear it?

Yan: What are we talking about today: Dostoevsky, Strugatsky brothers and a little Roadside Picnic? Or did you want to discuss the five lights again?

Nestor: I knew those weren't just on Star Trek! No - I was more so referring to a new book, the I Ching. [taps book] From a stack of unsorted books near the wooden shelves; my little bug's treasure trove.

Yan: Ah yes, I believe you told me about your wife's library.

Nestor: Yeah. The passage I was reading had something along the lines of unlimited possibilities being forbidden to us mortals. Apparently, that's a good thing. If a man were to chase in every direction they dissolve. Limitations are necessary. Strength can be found therein, in mastering professions. At least that's my takeaway. [exhales] My little bug used to love lecturing me on whatever she read that day.

He spent countless nights reading her fictions, diaries, and messages. He spent countless days reading their fires, hunts, and spells.

Yan: You do seem to have a rekindled interest in literature since your wife's passing.

Nestor: [slams desk] Don't. Can we- can we not? Like I said, my little bug is still alive.

[Nestor promptly takes a deep inhale from his cigarette.]

Yan: That's fine, we've only started weeks ago. Might I add, you've been quite reasonable, all things considered.

Nestor: [exhales plumes of smoke] Not like I have a choice. [pulls up jeans fabric by the ankle, tapping GPS tracking bracelet] Don't think this is standard medical procedure at Konsilium² for joblessness and depression.

Yan: Its standard procedure. If your environment isn't to your liking, we could provide further amenities upon request.

Nestor: No, no. That wouldn't work. My sweet will return soon- you'll see. Have to keep things familiar, like whence she black_h it. Otherwise, she won't recognize our flat.

he dreamt of nights and murder; of bondage and cost; of pillows and struggle.

[Nestor takes the cigarette, placing it between his lips, and clasps a hand to his cheek. Yan leans backward from his seat.]

Yan: Do you know where she might be?

Nestor: [inhales] No.

Yan: Email we found indicated you were her only primary caretaker.

Nestor: It's funny. When I was at work, I couldn't stand the stuff. Fiction, that is. Didn't seem, and pardon my views on this, masculine. At least in comparison to the competitive world of non-fiction. Used to keep up with my friends' thesis papers and research findings to remain relevant, combative. [taps on an encyclopedia's spine] It's meaningless nowadays.

Yan: And you're sure you don't want a laptop or terminal?

Nestor: Can't keep up that with rat-race now. I don't even want to know how much I missed out on. You know - it made me appreciate her more. Everything reminds me of her. This place is her, in a sense. I wouldn't replace any part of her.

Yan: I'm afraid we're out of time today. As your psychologist, I'm required to say that I will be checking on your status. As your friend, I want to say this: you aren't alone in this.

Nestor: Platitudes, Yan? Really? You can do better than that.

Yan: Nestor, I assure you. I've treated many going through what you are going through.

Nestor: [laughs] I've faced down interviewees who were better at lying, usually black_h before they show me the door and tell me they'll be in touch.

Yan: It isn't a lie.

Nestor: Then stop telling me my wife is dead. Stop coming into this goddamned flat - every single time - pretending I'm fucking insane for being cooped up here. Stop coming in with that shark-toothed, shit-eater of yours; treating me as if I have a mental illness.

he feared his dreams, he feared their truth.

he sank them neath the blood of Volga, and forgot the rhyme and burnt the candle and tossed out the circle, dagger, and seawater.

Yan: Apologies, I misspoke earlier- clearly your case is unique. I know it was hard for you to take care of her, even harder alone. I respect that unique resolve you must have had.

Nestor: [sighs] Its not your fault. Doubt many know what it's like to be in this situation. Not many have to tend to a loved one who has… [shuffles a new pack of filtered Belomorkanal from the pants pocket before reaching for a lighter] Much less, clean up after them or hold them when you have no answers.

Nestor: Let me enjoy today. It's quiet and peaceful and still.

that thing fermented in his mind like pickled herring,

Yan: Of course.

[Nestor deposits his used cigarette into an ashtray. Yan stands up, then approaches the door before stopping.]

Yan: Before I go, I believe your assessment of that book was correct. I Ching, wasn't it? Psychological freedom contrasts from wallowing in bad habits and our mental prisons. Realizing limitations, or scope, as you say, characterizes a positive path. In which we can choose to walk towards a bblack_her future. Remember that.

that thing swam in his mind, his brain like a body in water; her viscera and shit

that thing watched him from the shores of the Caspian Sea.

[Nestor stares vacantly, flicking his lighter.]

---

[[END LOG]]

---

Addenda.4981.3 - Incident

On November 09, 2011, a massive fire burned down a significant portion of Pleasant Apartments, originating from SCP-4981-B's rental apartment. Responding firefighters discovered burnt curtains next to an ashtray with semi-lit black_h-over cigarette butts. Foundation personnel, who had already evacuated the building, recorded live transmissions from CCTV cameras situated in SCP-4981-A's bedrooms before the cameras became nonresponsive.

The footage depicted SCP-4981-B talking to himself. Certain audio segments were unsalvageable.

► 4981/CCTV/incident.mp4

[[BEGIN LOG]]

---

[[00:23:10]] [CAM-3 depicts small cinders from the ashtray. SCP-4981-B is asleep on the recliner. CAM-1 depicts SCP-4981-A remaining still.]
[[00:45:16]] [CAM-3 depicts a massive fire climbing up the curtains and walls from the ashtray. SCP-4981-B opens his front entrance door and runs past it.]
[[00:45:20]] [CAM-1 depicts SCP-4981-B rematerializing adjacent to SCP-4981-A. SCP-4981-A becomes animate. It hovers and aligns its back perpendicular to the headboard slat of the bed.]
[[00:47:34]] [SCP-4981-B panics. SCP-4981-B proceeds to phase through SCP-4981-A; he rolls to the other side of the mattress, sits upblack_h, and sprints to the front door entrance.]
[[00:47:38]] [SCP-4981-B rematerializes and runs to the kitchen. SCP-4981-A vibrates.]

He could light the very world on fire; his oily, iridescent thoughts filled its volume.

Outside footage of incident.

I had to-

CAM-1: [SCP-4981-A flails its head, preservative fluids leak from its eyes and ears.]

Look, you didn't make it easy!

CAM-2: [SCP-4981-B stares at the kitchen sink.]

[Inaudible]

You never did.

CAM-1: [SCP-4981-A trembles and coughs, ejecting SCP-4981-A-ŽIVA.]

See? There you go again! Who cleans that up. For godsakes Jana.

You're a bad habit. Yan was black_h, I should've ran. When I had the chance to.

CAM-3: [The curtains and recliner are burning. Fire obfuscates visual feed.]

Used to look at the books and windows and cups as you. This house was you.

It's a mess.

CAM-2: [SCP-4981-B sobs.]

Do you even remember who I am?

CAM-1: [SCP-4981-A drools, whimpering. Fire encroaches the mattress, traveling up SCP-4981-A 's feet. CAM-1 cuts off.]

[Inaudible]

I miss you, not this.

CAM-2: [Fire burns dishes and plates from the kitchen. SCP-4981-B attempts to turn on the faucet, but is burnt by the heated metal on the sink dials.]

I promised to carry around your stories.

CAM-2: [CAM-2's audio is distorted]

Stories [distortion] whole goddamned life. So I kept it like this.

[Inaudible]

Why?

I love you.

CAM-3: [SCP-4981-B's feet are seen as he paces around. Vocalizations are heard in the direction of the bedroom. Cracking noises, non-dissimilar from the rapid stretching of ligature, are heard in the direction of the ceiling.]

But I also hate you. I hate myself for it.

CAM-2: [A blotchy, white figure is shown above the camera lens. CAM-2 cuts off.]

[Inaudible]

CAM-3: [SCP-4981-B falls to his knees, coughing. Whispering vocalizations are heard above him.]

What? Please, just. I know I just.

Let me, just.

CAM-3: [SCP-4981-B sits on the burning recliner.]

Oh, the garbage? Hasn't been taken out since you came and since you black_h.

Yeah, yeah.

No, I couldn't clean you anymore. No, I didn't want to.

CAM-3: [SCP-4981-B burns.]

I close my eyes. [coughs] I see you there.

Would you, would you do the same?

I can't see you otherwise, please.

CAM-3: [CAM-3 experiences audio distortion. An animalistic scream is heard. The scream is clear and audible. It persists over sounds of concrete collapsing and subsequent audio static. CAM-3 depicts visual static and color bars overlaying the bisected image of SCP-4981-B's silhouette, which further distorts into jagged, triangular waves.]

[distortion]-ittle bug, [distortion] deep inside me.

My mind.

My mind.

Always here.

My-

Even in winter, that thing would burn over frozen memory.

[CAM-3 cuts off]

---

[[END LOG]]

---

Post-Incident Excerpt

At 01:25:59 UTC, personnel recovered a severely damaged SCP-4981-A. Only regions above its neckbone were salvaged.

At 01:40:13 UTC, personnel removed concrete rubble covering SCP-4981-B. When most of SCP-4981-B's body was free from surrounding detritus, SCP-4981-B stood up. His facial musculature and skull were exposed. Half the black_h side of his body was fused with bronze rebar.

SCP-4981-B walked to the fringes of the building complex; viscera and flesh loosely dangling, then departing, from his person. He dematerialized when he stepped outside of the debris and did not reappear near SCP-4981-A. SCP-4981-A has seemingly lost its anomalous properties and decomposes normally. All samples of SCP-4981-A-ŽIVA have since dematerialized.

~ Kazansky

---

Footnotes

1. SCP-4981-B will "phase" through space occupied by SCP-4981-A.

2. Members of the Foundation's Medical Department are staffed in Konsilium hospital, which specializes in humanoids and low-level reality benders.

---