Charlize | Week 14 | You do not recognize the bodies in the water
You do not recognize the bodies in the water. You do not recognize the bodies in the water. You do not recognize the bodies in the water. You do not recognize the bodies in the water. You do not recognize the bodies in the water. You do not recognize the bodies in the water.
____
I’ve been listening to audio versions of the SCP files because it’s perfect for keeping me awake at 2:00 A.M. while I scribble away at the last bits of my homework. I know I'm compromising a good night’s sleep for a scare that will haunt me for a week, but the feeling is so addictive.
For a bit of context, the S.C.P. (Special Containment Procedures) Files are part of a massive collaborative writing project of paranormal anomalies detailing hysteria-inducing phenomena. Although I’m not too deep into the fandom myself, I enjoy reading/listening to the terrifying monstrosities that the human mind is able to conjure. One of the most popular ones that you might’ve heard of is SCP-3008, the file about the infinitely expansive IKEA building that houses faceless employees who turn violent at night.
The anomaly plaguing me these days has been SCP-2316, also known “Field Trip” or more commonly referred to as “You do not recognize the bodies in the water.” At Lake ███████ located in ██████, █████████, there exists a cluster of floating corpses. Categorized as a cognitohazard, where just perceiving this anomaly may trigger severe physiological or psychological effects, the bodies often manifest as human beings an individual will recognize. Yet upon entering the lake, the victims drawn to the bodies in the water are… “lost.”
Highlighting some invisible text (!!!) takes you to a “first-hand” account of a victim, as you descend into the lake alongside them.
There’s an uncanny sense of familiarity. The faces become clearer and you finally recall the past, buried in your consciousness. One of them was your neighbor, who you were once close with, but began to lose touch with once schoolwork started consuming your lives, another your good friend who you met on a whim, but have been inseparable ever since. Your close companions, people you would call family—how could you have forgotten them?
You know the bodies in the water aren’t your friends.
You were always with us.
You do not recognize the bodies in the water.
But you do recognize them.
You want to hear what they have to tell you.
They're waiting for you.
Hold them one more time.
Can't you hear us?
Can't you see us?
You do not recognize the bodies in the water.
You do recognize the bodies in the water.
___
The victim became part of the class of ‘76 lost to the lake, recognizing his “classmates” despite them graduating before he was ever born.
After some scouring, my favorite analysis of SCP-2316 is from the video that introduced me to this anomaly. The bodies are “those that we leave behind”—people lost in the crevices of your memories who have drifted so far away. Even though the narrator’s interpretation includes his experience with people moving on after graduation, I do relate to it in some way.
It’s hard not to long for better days where everything seemed so much easier, especially with how fast time seems to be passing but how everything keeps piling up. Yet to some people, the present moment is what they believe to be their “better days.” And you’re just floating around aimlessly, holding on to what you remember of your friends from years ago, the empty husks of their former selves stuck in your memories.
Reminisce, but do not be lost in the past.
You do not recognize the bodies in the water.
You do not recognize the bodies in the water.
Do not forget.
You do not recognize the bodies in the water.
You won't forget.
Hi Charlize, I really loved the structure of your blog this week. I am unfamiliar with the SCP files, but it sounds like a terrifying read, exactly the kind of thing I steer clear from lol. Now everytime I go to IKEA I will be thinking about the employees turning into blood sucking vampires as I try to navigate myself out of the endless maze. As I was reading through the first part of your blog I was really interested and curious to see how you were gonna connect this to memory and it was really interesting how you connected it to regret. The analogy you drew with the bodies in the water and the “uncanny sense of familiarity” is something I think high school juniors and seniors can really relate to, especially now. With the pressure and workload of high school, as well as the diverging interests that everyone has in regards to their futures leads to many fractures in friendship as everyone is starting to go their own separate ways. But that doesn’t mean it has to be the end of the friendships and good times which you aptly described when you talked about reminiscing. I thought it was really powerful when you wrote “do not be lost in the past” because often reminiscing leads people to go down a rabbit hole of regret. Like you said memories are a very powerful thing, and it’s is one of the best ways to recognize how much someone has changed because it is crazy how much people change in such small spurts of time, but it just goes to show to cherish everything and live in the present, but not aimlessly.
ReplyDeleteHello, Charlize! I may not be an avid fan of the SCP files, but if that’s what makes you stay awake for those all-nighters, go you! Although, your choice of horror to continue your work through the night is quite interesting. Personally, I just blast whatever genre of music I’m vibing to for the week.
ReplyDeleteI love how you changed your structure this week! The isolated statements not only add emphasis (which was, obviously, the intent), but they’re also really poetic. Your comparison between SCP-2316 and people in general is not only interesting, but also really good advice! In our current day and age, we tend to look fondly back into the past. We really should be looking to the future for hope. The future holds all of our possibilities, so in hindsight, it seems really stupid to be focused on the past. Our past makes us who we are, but we live in the present. There’s no need to be too infatuated with our pasts.
Hi Charlize!
ReplyDeleteI also share the same interest in the horror genre, I am currently counting down the days till the new Backrooms movie. Personally, I really enjoy analogue horror and the aspect of the uncanny valley. For me, the thought of a silent intruder, who no one pays any mind to until it is too late, is what really gives me goosebumps. I don’t know if you have already watched his videos, but I personally love Wendigoon as he analyzes different horror series in multi-hour-long videos! Reading your blog, I was very intrigued by the first couple of paragraphs, and when I reached the end, I was impressed with how you were able to connect this new aspect of your life with the past. I normally talk about things from my past that shaped me into the person I am today, so I really applaud your creativity. From reading the message I got was: don’t forget where you came from, which weirdly made me think about the meme of “leaving your day ones” as soon as you get money (which is what WE are ALL doing one everybodies SOUL). But back to the underlying message of your blog, remembering your roots and the people who helped shape you into the person you are today is single-handedly one of the most important lessons in life! I mean, John Lennon and Steve Jobs completely left their kids in the dust once they came into fame and fortune and look where they are now! Great read!