KaktusKontainer

Item #: SCP-5482

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: All instances of SCP-5482 are contained within a standard anomalous object vault in Site-119. Foundation webcrawlers are to continually scan online book discussion websites and library databases for any instances of the terms such as:

• "Magic TH survivors?"
• "MEALTIME WITH MICHAEL"
• "who is Michael from MTH"
• "Magic Tree House #48"

Upon detecting these key term(s), Foundation webcrawlers are to flag, report, scan, and remove only the offending posts or search results immediately. Foundation MTF agents assigned to SCP-5482 are then tasked with recovering newly discovered instances. In the event that anyone from the general populace happens to come into contact with an instance of SCP-5482, they are to be detained and standard amnesticization procedures are to be enacted.

Description: SCP-5482 is the book entitled, "MAGIC TREE HOUSE #48: Mealtime with Michael," which will spontaneously manifest in areas frequently occupied by adolescents under the ages of 11.¹ After an individual within SCP-5842's age range completely reads SCP-5842 either alone or with people, SCP-5482 will trigger a memetic effect within them that will cause the aforementioned victim to become prone towards acts of aggression and violence over varying lengths of time, which will lead victims towards higher extremes of violence if not treated by Foundation personnel through standard amnesticization. Additionally, subjects will experience significant urges of hunger, with reports indicating that, following exposure to SCP-5482, these individuals developed specific appetites that greatly exceeds their previous food intake. This newly acquired appetite typically consists of protein and meats, although additional cravings are not uncommon. SCP-5482 has not yet been observed to affect subjects over the ages of 11. Additionally, both the reasons for SCP-5482's manifestation and how it performs this task remains unknown.

SCP-5482 was first discovered in a public library on March 5, 2016 — two years after the last book in the Magic Tree House series² was published by Mary Osborne. Interrogations of Osborne indicated that she does not recall writing or publishing the book. Attempts to discern the original author have been unsuccessful, as no bylines or related commentary are provided.

SCP-5482 deviates greatly from recently published works of the series, loosely imitating the style, narrative, and presentation of past novels. More specifically, it is notably similar to the style and story of books 1-28: where Morgan Le Fay sends the two protagonists Jack and Annie on missions and adventures inside a magical treehouse. A non-anomalous description of SCP-5482 on the back cover provides some insight into the story and theme(s) of the literature.

Due to restrictions regarding SCP-5482's containment, assigned Foundation personnel are unable to view any copies of the anomaly. Because of this, a summary of SCP-5482 has been provided below for reference purposes:

Summary: Following a summer vacation, Jack and Annie wishes to return to the Magic Tree House for more adventures. When the two begin discussing their ideas for future missions, Jack comments to Annie that he wants their next journey will be filled with danger and mystery. Annie agrees, and the two report to Morgan Le Fay in the hopes that she will send them somewhere fun. Fay first suggests sending the two protagonists back into the Egyptian era. However, after Annie interrupts the librarian by discussing their previous discussion, Morgan Le Fay allows them to travel to somewhere she calls, "worthy of [their] time." She also asks them to be careful, stating that for some reason, she feels uneasy. Jack and Annie assure her that they will be fine, and the two climb into the Magic Tree House and wait.

The Magic Tree House sends them into a place filled with tall trees — later revealed to be the Jungles of Kipling after Annie skims a book that Morgan Le Fay gives them. The protagonists leave the Magic Tree House and quickly discover an overturned boat along an unknown river. Jack and Annie investigate, eventually finding nothing of significance. Jack decides to look around while Annie follows Jack's lead until the two locate smoke in the sky. They walk towards the source of the smoke, discovering a camp full of mysterious people. Annie comments to Jack that the mysterious people are strangely thin and pale, asking if they are maybe hungry. He doesn't respond to her.

Jack and Annie are later seen by the people within the camp. They are invited inside, and after walking for several minutes they greet a man by the name of Michael. It is then revealed that Michael and the group were previously tourists who had gotten lost after their guide went missing somewhere upstream. Michael assures the two that he has since acted as the leader for the group, taking notice of Jack. After they continue talking amongst each other, Michael finally asks Jack if he would be willing to help the group locate their missing guide.

At first Jack is reluctant, however Annie ultimately convinces him to accept Michael's request. The leader thanks them both, and asks Jack if he can travel upstream in order to look for the missing guide. Jack says that he can, and proceeds to leave for the river with Annie. Michael then stops the two, asking Annie if she would be willing to help some of the survivors search for food nearby. After some more conversation, Annie and Jack both agree, and each leaves for their respective assignments.

Once Jack leaves the area, Michael leads Annie towards the back of the camp. Awaiting them are several more survivors. Annie notes that some of the survivors look ragged and tired. She asks if they need help, to which they reply in the affirmative. Everyone excluding Michael leaves towards the woods. Annie grows somewhat uncomfortable but follows the survivors deeper into the forest. They stop after several minutes of walking. The survivors then begin to pick berries and plants from the ground. Annie follows their lead, bending down to pluck berries from a nearby bush. As she performs this task, she can't help but hear strange giggling from behind her. She turns around, but only sees the survivors completing their tasks. Annie takes another look at one of the survivors and happens to realize that their clothes have been stained with several red splotches. She tries to comment on the red splotches but is quickly stopped by the presence of cloth covering her mouth. She struggles for a few minutes, however, she slowly fades into unconsciousness.

Meanwhile, Jack reaches the river and begins walking. Throughout this, he is greeted by a series of animals and creatures native to the Kipling Jungles. He is able to identify these creatures to the reader from an encyclopedia that he had found in the Magic Tree House and stored inside of his backpack beforehand. Additionally, he is stopped by the presence of shadows that are seemingly following him. At multiple intervals, Jack stops and attempts to search for the source of shadows. He is unsuccessful, eventually giving up before continuing his search.

Near the end of his journey, Jack accidentally falls into the river. He nearly drowns from the current but is able to save himself from a branch of a fallen tree. As he recuperates, he states that he sees visions of monsters in the water. He becomes scared, and tries to exit the water. Once he leaves the river, Jack ultimately gives up on his search for the missing guide. He walks back towards the camp. Once Jack arrives, he is surprised to see many of the survivors waiting for him at the entrance. This includes Michael, who runs up to him and asks whether or not he was successful. Jack shakes his head.

Michael and the group are upset, but nonetheless appreciate Jack's help. As a reward, Michael asks Jack if Annie and him wishes to join the group in having a big meal. Jack accepts Michael's request and is taken to the center of the camp by the rest of the survivors. As Jack follows, he can't help but notice Michael's stature. Jack notes that he appears more confident and healthier from before, but quickly dismisses this as he arrives to his destination. Awaiting Jack is a makeshift banquet table filled with rows of food including fruits, berries, vegetables, and miscellaneous meats. Jack asks Michael the whereabouts of Annie, to which he assures him that she is in a tent currently sleeping. Jack is slightly concerned but nonetheless continues eating with the rest of the group.

Jack and the survivors laugh and party despite the protagonist being unable to complete his previous mission of locating the missing guide. After several hours of eating and conversing, Jack — who is still sitting at the table and eating some meat — asks to see Annie. Michael and the rest of the group quickly go silent. Jack ceases eating, and stands up from the table. He once again asks to see Annie. Jack attempts to leave, but is stopped by several individuals from the group. Unknown survivors then grab Jack by his arms and legs, before bringing him back towards the table. After several minutes of struggling, Jack is tied down to his chair by twisted vines. He gets agitated, screaming at Michael to know where Annie is. By this point, Michael holds a machete in his hands.

Michael tells Jack that Annie is already with them, and advises him to look down towards his plate of food. Jack looks down, before he realizes the contents of his meal, which is the leftover remains of Annie's left thigh. Michael laughs before taking a bite out of Jack's food. He smiles wildly as he bites into the meat, telling Jack that he has also consumed parts of the missing guide during the feast. He then continues, elaborating on the reason for him to send Jack out into the woods and how he prepared Annie's flesh for the meal. Throughout this, the book highlights and mentions Michael's blank expression and dark beady eyes multiple times. The book concludes with Michael bringing his weapon onto Jack as he screams.

Jack does not survive.

Update: After further investigation of SCP-5482, Foundation researchers have determined that the anomaly does not inherently possess any memetic hazards. Instead — following a conclusive study of nearly 100 minors who had interacted with the anomaly — Foundation researchers have determined that SCP-5482 instead targets specific children with a higher risk of developing and expressing gluttony and/or violent tendencies. Upon being read by a targeted child, SCP-5482 will activate a series of previously dormant genes within them that is otherwise present in most of the population. These mutations, while originally thought to be an unnecessary change to the human genome³, may actually indicate an increased desire towards anthropophagus — although additional study has reported inconclusive results.

Furthermore, when Foundation researchers psychologically evaluated this same group of 100 children, it was also determined that SCP-5482 may have another unidentified anomalous attribute. While still under investigation, it appears that children affected by SCP-5482 will also experience symptoms similar to dissociative identity disorder. The extent of this remains unknown, however, one conclusive interview concerning an individual affected by SCP-5482 has been provided below until further research concerning this anomalous property can be approved.

Interviewer: Dr. Devin Collins

Interviewed: Max Orwell, age 7

---

[BEGIN LOG]

Collins: How are you feeling, Max?

Orwell: (Mutters incoherently)

Collins: I'm sorry, can you say that again? I didn't quite catch that, buddy.

Orwell: (Groaning) Hungry. I feel really hungry.

Collins: Aw, I'm sorry to hear that Max. I have a candy bar right here if you'd like?

Orwell: Mhm, yes please.

Collins: Sure, buddy. (Doctor Collins retrieves a candy bar from his pocket and proceeds to hand it to Orwell. Orwell begins eating) Better?

Orwell nodding his head in the affirmative, before quickly shaking it.

Orwell: (Whilst eating) I don't know. It doesn't really feel different. (Orwell swallows) I'm still hungry. And tired, too. I think I want some of Dad's steak or something. When can I go back home?

Collins: Don't you worry. Pretty soon we'll have you out of here and you'll be back home to take a nap and eat some more. Sound good?

Orwell: Yeah.

Collins: Okay, Max. (Clearing his throat) How was the book you read? Did you like it?

Orwell: Um… no, not really. It made me feel kind of sick. I don't think I want to ever really read it again.

Collins: I understand, buddy. Trust me, pretty soon you'll forget all about it. We won't make you read it again. Promise.

Orwell: Okay.

Collins: And do you remember last time when we hung out? I asked you to draw me a self portrait of you?

(Orwell nods in the affirmative.)

Collins: Well… I have it right here, and… (Proceeds to reveal the portrait provided by Orwell) I just have some questions about it.

Image of Max Orwell alongside the provided portrait.

Orwell: Yeah?

Collins: Yeah, buddy. Can you… can you describe to me why you drew it like this? It just seems like it's a bit different from what you actually look like.

Orwell: What do you mean?

Collins: Well, take a look at the hair, and the eyes—

Orwell: But that is my hair and eyes Doctor.

Collins: Right, right. But, what I'm saying is—

Orwell: Do you not like my picture?

Collins: It's a lovely picture! Don't worry Max, that's not what I'm saying.

Orwell: Why do you keep calling me that? Who's Max?

A pause.

Collins: I… I'm sorry. What, uh, what is your name then, buddy?

Orwell makes a pouting expression.

Orwell: You should know this already. What are you, stupid?

Collins: Okay, buddy, calm down—

Orwell: Didn't Mom and Dad tell you already? It's not hard, all of my friends call me Mike. My name is Michael, okay? It's Michael.

[END LOG]