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Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid (sentience status unknown)

Special Containment Procedures: Item SCP-XXXX is to be kept in a locked container at all times. A security camera must always be monitoring SCP-XXXX to deter theft. When being examined or moved, at least two facility personnel must be present to insure no one tries to physically touch or steal SCP-XXXX.

Description: Moved permanently to Site-24 in 2014. Place of origin and creation date currently unknown. In its resting state, SCP-XXXX resembles a silver engagement ring with a colorless 4 kt heart-shaped diamond in the center and smaller accent stones on either side. A small engraving reading “Vitkosky” exists inside the band. The Foundation has thoroughly investigated the surname Vitkosky and its connection to SCP-XXXX but have found no conclusive results.

SCP-XXXX was first encountered by the Foundation in 1992, though it is believed to have existed long before that. A 21-year-old woman named Tania Patrick arrived in an emergency room in Terral, Oklahoma with her fiancé. She had SCP-XXXX stuck on her left ring finger, with circulation being cut off and the finger almost double its usual size. Tania also had first degree burns running up her left arm to her shoulder, claiming they gradually appeared after she initially put on SCP-XXXX. Doctors – including a Foundation director – tried to lubricate the woman’s finger to remove SCP-XXXX but were unsuccessful. Attempts were made to cut off SCP-XXXX but every instrument used caused no damage to the band nor diamonds.

The Foundation director present noted that the heart-shaped stone was a dark black and felt red hot to the touch. Tania Patrick was kept in the hospital for several days, during which the burns on her left arm spread to her chest and neck. SCP-XXXX also appeared to be shrinking, cutting off circulation to Tania’s left finger so severely that doctors knew it could not be saved. Doctors heard Tania screaming in pain and arrived in her room to find her ring finger had been completely cut off by the ever-tightening SCP-XXXX. She was quickly stitched up and given pain medication. The Foundation director employed at the hospital requested to take SCP-XXXX for examination, but was denied and SCP-XXXX was returned to Tania Patrick upon her hospital release. Before it was returned, the director observed that SCP-XXXX had returned to a normal ring size and that the heart-shaped diamond had faded from black to red to clear, appearing pristine. After her release, the fate and whereabouts of Tania Patrick are unknown to the Foundation.

In 1996, EMTs were called to the residence of Stanley and Gloria Watson in Garrett, Pennsylvania. Gloria had a severe rash all over her body and SCP-XXXX appeared to be burrowing into her ring finger. The couple told the EMTs that the heart-shaped diamond had changed from its usual clear color to a rusty red. In the hospital, doctors were able to remove SCP-XXXX from the woman’s finger, but parts of her skin and flesh came with it. The doctor removing SCP-XXXX received burns on his hands whenever he touched the object. When asked where they got SCP-XXXX, Stanley told doctors he had bought it in a local pawn shop and gave it to Gloria for their engagement. Doctors reported the item to the Foundation but were forced to return it to the couple when Gloria was released from hospital.

Similar reports continued to be sent to the Foundation every few years. Victims would acquire SCP-XXXX in some way, begin wearing it, notice the object tightening and rashes or burns mysteriously forming on their body. Three confirmed fatalities have resulted from the object, usually from rapid, unidentifiable infections sustained when SCP-XXXX severed wearers’ fingers. Reportedly anyone who attempted to remove SCP-XXXX or destroy it received severe burns. Despite numerous efforts, SCP-XXXX appears to be indestructible.

SCP-XXXX was finally acquired by the Foundation in 2013. Because of the value of its diamonds, several Foundation personnel have attempted to steal SCP-XXXX, causing it to be kept locked up and under constant surveillance. Research on SCP-XXXX is scarce due to researchers sustaining burns if they touch it for too long. Based on reports and interviews with victims, SCP-XXXX first appears as a regular silver engagement ring with clear diamonds. However, the longer it is worn the harder it is to take off until it is impossible to remove without amputating the wearers’ finger. While SCP-XXXX is stuck on, victims have experienced burns, rashes, infections, nausea, fatigue, headaches, and paranoia. Victims have also reported that the heart-shaped diamond slowly turns red then black as their symptoms worsen.

The Foundation has not ruled out the possibility of SCP-XXXX being sentient. Due to its ability to burn anyone who tries to destroy it, SCP-XXXX does show signs of self-preservation. SCP-XXXX has never been observed moving on its own, therefore the Foundation does not believe it poses a danger to humans so long as it remains untouched and unworn.

Origins of SCP-XXXX remain unknown but researchers have several theories regarding its existence:
1) SCP-XXXX started off as a normal engagement ring but was cursed, possibly by whoever the engraving “Vitkosky” refers to.
2) The object was created by extraterrestrials with indestructible materials for unknown purposes. Some researchers believe it could be extraterrestrials testing out weaponry against humans while others speculate that SCP-XXXX collects biological data for research.
3) It is a parasitic lifeform that attaches itself to victims and feeds off their blood and flesh. This theory leads investigators to wonder if other parasites like SCP-XXXX exist.

SCP-XXXX remains at Site-24 and has not shown signs of activity since its arrival.