The SCP Experience - You Do Not Recognize the Bodies in the Water | SCP-2316

Episode Date: August 31, 2026

Two old friends return to the abandoned summer camp where something terrible happened years ago—only to find that the lake hasn’t forgotten what they did. As familiar faces begin rising from the black water, they’re forced to confront the horrifying truth buried beneath the surface. This story is derived from ⁠The SCP Foundation Database⁠ and is released under Creative Commons Sharealike 3.0.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ ⁠⁠⁠ Author:  Hayley Vandermaarl * * * CONTENT DISCLAIMER: This episode contains explicit content not limited to intense themes, strong language, and depictions of violence intended for adults. Parental guidance is strongly advised for children under the age of 18. Listener discretion is advised.  #thescpexperience #scp #scpfoundation #scpencounters #securecontainprotect #scpstories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two and five Canadians will hear the words, you have cancer. That's why every step and dollar raised matters. On September 19th, join thousands in Toronto for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Walk. Challenge yourself, friends, and family to walk 21 kilometers in support of life-saving research. Together, we can carry the fire and help create a world free from the fear of cancer. Register today at pmcfwalk.ca.ca. Do you wish you could just hit skip on the worst parts of your life? You know, the same way you can skip an ad?

I get it. I'm Siaia and I live in Ice Cove. I've made some questionable decisions that didn't end up the way I planned. And today, I'm still figuring it out. Somehow things usually get worse before they get better. Apparently, that's how I roll. So bundle up and come along for the bumpy ride. Don't miss the new season of North of North

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A shiver ran down Jasper's spine as he stared at the sign. What the hell does that mean? Ben smirked and shook his head. Probably just some kids trying to make people scared. I bet we would have done the same thing. Yeah, probably, but this place is pretty creepy. Although the forest looked much like any other, there was something off about it.

The tree branches hung limp as if they'd given up, and the forest floor was covered in rotting leaves, even though it was the middle of summer. Twilight was closing in, stretching long shadows between the trees. Ben glanced ahead through the trees and smirked. Told you, and look, they even put up a fence. Jasper squinted through the trees where, sure enough, a wire fence blocked off the lake that lay beyond. Let's hope it's not electric. Ben stepped forward with his hand outstretched. The man was nearing 30,

but he easily could have been the same 13-year-old Jasper met at camp all those years ago. Ben, don't! But it was too late. His friend grabbed the wire and began to convulse. Ben! Jasper almost tripped over a route as he rushed towards him, his heart in his throat. Another large yellow sign with the same font as the other one declared. Warning, electric fence. Ben's eyes were wide. His body still convulsing beneath the warning sign. Jasper couldn't move.

He stared as Ben's eyes rolled into the back of his head. He should move. He knew that. But he was paralyzed, just like the last time they were at this lake. Suddenly, Ben let go of the fence and straightened. Then he barked out a laugh that reverberated through Jasper's skull. I can't believe you fell for that. You really haven't changed.

have you. Jasper's heart was still pounding and he grimaced. Neither of you. Ben simply winked and turned back to the fence. They must have put this up after all those suicides. I don't get it. This used to be such a beautiful spot. What happened? Apparently, it's haunted now. Jasper stared out at the lake. Some places don't need ghosts to be haunted. Ben's expression tightened for just a moment. What's that supposed to mean? Nothing. studied him, then smirked. What? You don't believe in ghosts anymore? I never did.

Ben raised an eyebrow meaningfully. Jasper looked away. Okay, fine. Maybe I did. But that was a long time ago. Some things have changed since then. For the better, I hope. Ben quipped as he hauled himself over the fence. Jasper watched Ben land easily on the other side,

and old memory stirred. There had never been a door, gate, or rule that could keep Ben out. Jasper had thought he'd changed since then, but as he climbed over the fence after him, he wasn't so sure. You do not recognize the bodies in the water. Guess those kids made it past the fence too, Ben said as they passed another sign near the lake. Jasper simply nodded, his eyes scanning their surroundings. An ominous mist began to form the closer they got to the water,

and the temperature dropped several degrees. He glanced at the lake and could have sworn he saw something floating on the water. But when he looked closer, it was gone. There's the dock. Ben pointed across the water, where a pile of rotting wood sat on the surface. Jasper could hardly believe it was the same dock they had so frequently lounged on. The dock, where Jasper had his first kiss, the dock where he shook his head to dislodge the memory. Best not to think about that.

Do you think the cabins are still there? Ben followed the curve of the lake to the opposite side, and Jasper followed. The lake was almost completely still, aside from the odd ripple. There hadn't been a lot of fish in the water back then, but maybe there were now. They followed a narrow trail up the hill to the clearing, which was mostly empty, except for one caved-in structure. Damn! Ben's voice sounded too loud in the silent space.

This is all that's left, huh? Jasper stared at the remains of the cafeteria. He could still smell spaghetti sauce and chili in the air. The breeze carried laughter. and children's songs with the memory of campfires and canoe rides. A smile crept over his face until his gaze drifted to the empty patch of ground where the girl's cabin had once stood. Then his stomach turned and he faced the lake again.

Ben chuckled, but it sounded hollow. Man, sometimes I miss being a kid. Doing whatever you wanted, nobody giving a fuck. Good times. That's exactly how it was back then. They did what they wanted, when they wanted, and they thought nobody cared, but they were wrong. Listen, man, it's getting late. Jasper let the sentence trail. Ben turned with a sigh. There's not much to see here anyway.

Let's go back to the lake, see if we can spot some bodies. What? You know, the suicides. Everybody was too afraid to search the lake, so they never recovered the bodies. Maybe we'll get lucky and find a preserved one along the shore. Ben made his way to the dock, as Jasper processed to the lake.

as Jasper processed his words and wondered why he'd ever agreed to meet up with Ben again. It was the same reason they'd become friends in the first place. Fear. Jasper saw what Ben was the minute they met, and he knew it was better to be on his side than against him. But was it really? He turned back to the spot where the old cabin was. Help! The whisper sounded right beside Jasper's ear, and he jumped.

Ben, quit joking around, man. You've already had your fun. There was no answer. Jasper looked toward the lake and spotted Ben near the end of the dock, standing perfectly still with his back to him. His pulse quickened. He shook his head and started toward him, telling himself he was letting old memories get the better of him.

He'd kept them buried for this long. The sooner he got away from this place and from Ben, the sooner he could bury them again. Hey, Ben! Jasper stepped onto the dock. The boards creaked beneath his feet as he approached, but Ben never turned. Ben?

When Jasper reached him, he followed Ben's stare toward the water. What's going on? Ben still didn't respond. Jasper placed a hand on his shoulder. Ben didn't say a word. He slowly raised his hand and pointed at the lake. A few feet away, ripples formed on the dark surface, and something pale rose to the top. Water trickled down as a hand emerged, fingers outstretched.

Oh my God! Jasper whispered. Another voice suddenly came from the trees behind them. What are you doing? They both turned, but there was no one there. Something about the voice sounded familiar, but Jasper couldn't place it. When they turned back to the lake, a figure had risen and was walking on the water towards them. It was a young boy, about 10 years old, wearing suspenders with his board shorts.

What are you doing? This time, the voice came from the boy, and Jasper remembered. Eugene? Ben had lost all color in his face, and looked almost as pale as the boy. His eyes darted between Jasper and the encroaching figure. What? Who the hell is that?

What's happening? It's Eugene! Jasper stammered as buried memories came flooding back. Eugene was actually 12, but he was small for his age. He'd gotten so used to being pantsed that he always wore suspenders, even with his bathing suit. He usually kept to himself unless he was in his element, which was in the water.

Eugene could easily tread water for hours, and it wasn't unusual to spot him swimming from one side of the lake to the other. Ben was furious when he tipped Eugene's canoe, only for Eugene to demonstrate his backstroke to the applause of the girls in bikinis sunbathing on the dock. He didn't struggle to shore like Ben had imagined. Instead, he swam circles around him like a fish. He even winked at Ben and Jasper as he walked back to his cabin. Maybe if he hadn't done that, Ben would have laughed at all. But even then, Jasper knew something worse was coming. Jasper told himself Eugene had brought it on himself.

That wink had been a mistake. He knew what Ben was like, and he'd still chosen to provoke him. But as Jasper stared into Eugene's eyes, the excuse fell apart. Eugene hadn't asked for any of it. Ben didn't tell Jasper what he was going to do, but Jasper recognized the malicious gleam in his eye as they walked to the dock that morning. Ben was unusually talkative and excited. One of the staffers even joked that he'd put too much sugar in his cereal.

Rather than giving a woody come back, Ben had just laughed. The boys always had recreational swim time after breakfast. Sometimes Ben skipped it, claiming he had better things to do, but that morning he dove right in. Jasper remained on the dock, reading a Stephen King novel. He distantly heard Ben calling for Eugene off to the side, but he wasn't really paying attention. He might not have noticed anything at all

if he hadn't looked up at that exact moment and seen Ben force Eugene beneath the surface. Eugene thrashed in his grip, but the splashing disappeared beneath the chaos of the other boys competing to see who could make the biggest waves. Jasper told himself that it was just a prank that Ben would let him up in a few seconds.

He kept staring, counting down the seconds until Eugene's head popped up. But Eugene never came back up. Ben looked straight at Jasper and smiled as he held him beneath the surface. Eugene fought against him for a few more seconds before his movements weakened, then stopped altogether. Jasper froze. He knew he should yell for someone to do something, anything, but no sound game.

He could only watch. Two and five Canadians will hear the words, you have cancer. That's why every step and dollar raised matters. On September 19th, joined thousands in Toronto for the Prince of the Prince of the United States. Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Walk. Challenge yourself, friends, and family to walk 21 kilometers in support of life-saving research. Together, we can carry the fire and help create a world free from the fear of cancer. Register today at pmcfwalk.ca.ca.

Don't you wish you could just hit skip on the worst parts of your life? You know the same way you can skip an ad? I get it. I'm Siaya and I live in Ice Cove. I've made some question. decisions that didn't end up the way I planned. And today, I'm still figuring it out. Somehow, things usually get worse before they get better. Apparently, that's how I roll. So bundle up and come along for the bumpy ride. Don't miss the new season of North of North

starting September 8th on CBC Gem. When Ben finally released him, Eugene's body drifted away and slowly rose to the surface. Lacey noticed first. She'd come down to the dock to flirt with the counselor, who hadn't looked up from his Playboy magazine in 20 minutes. Oh my God! Ben rushed into action before anyone else knew what was going on. He cradled Eugene's body to his chest and swam him to shore. What were you doing to him? Lacey shrieked as she helped drag Eugene onto the grass. Nothing. I just saved him. Didn't you see that? Lacey glared at him before turning back to Eugene. She started CPR. The counselor ditched his magazine in the bushes and came down to the water. Nice job, Ben, he said. Lacey pursed her lips but said nothing. Ben puffed out his

chest and sent a conspiratorial wink Jasper's way. The ghostly figure of Eugene now stumbled onto the dock to stand before the adult versions of Ben and Jasper. Water splashed out of his mouth as he said, You did this. Jasper was sure he'd seen Eugene again after that. Not in the water. Eugene never went near the water again, but around. At meals, on the trails to the cabin. He was still there, wasn't he? Ben latched on to Jasper's arm and shook his head. No, no, it wasn't me. But the fear in Ben's eyes told Jasper

that he remembered that day as well as he did. And you! Eugene pointed at finger at Jasper. You knew exactly what he did! Jasper gulped. Ben's fingers were digging into his flesh, but he almost welcomed the pain. I don't understand. I thought you were alive. Eugene raised his arms. Then how am I here?

Ben suddenly let out a shriek and let go of Jasper's arm to push the figure back into the lake. Eugene's mouth opened in surprise as he fell backwards with a splash. I do not recognize the body's in the water, Ben muttered. This isn't real. It can't be. The ripples where Eugene had fallen didn't settle. They spread, wider than they should have, pushing out toward the shore in slow rings. Jasper watched the water beneath them darken, the way it does when something large passes underneath. This time, when Eugene rose from the depths, he wasn't alone.

No! Ben stumbled back, nearly falling into the water. Remember me, Ben? Jasper! Jasper struggled to breathe as he looked into the angry blue eyes of a teenage Lacey. Her hair was in a loose braid, and she wore pajamas, a spaghetti-strapped tank top with little plaid shorts. There was a red stain on her crotch. She turned her gaze back to Ben. Remember what you did to me? She said in an overtly sweet voice, with a glance at the stain.

Bile rose in Jasper's throat. When Ben stumbled towards him, Jasper pushed him away, nearly to the edge of the dock. Ben, what did you do? Lacey sneered at him. Like you didn't know. Jasper raised his hands and looked between Eugene and Lacey. I don't. Honestly, you helped him do it. She replied slowly.

There was nothing he could say to that. She was right. Whatever Ben did to her that night, Jasper had been part of it. Ben had been making sleazy jokes about Lacey ever since the Eugene incident. Jasper laughed along, no matter how cruel the words were. When Ben talked about wanting to rip off her bikini top, Jasper pretended he wanted to as well. When Ben told him that Lacey was sleeping with their counselor, Jasper believed it. And when Ben said that she wanted to meet with him in the middle of the night, He volunteered to help. Together, they snuck out of their cabin and crept toward the girl's cabin.

Jasper took the tree line and started making animal noises, just like they'd practiced that afternoon. It didn't take long. The shrieks started inside, and the girls' counselor came out with the flashlight. Jasper moved further down the tree line and growled again. She followed the sound, away from the door. That was the point. He didn't see Ben go into the cabin.

He only saw the two of them come out. Ben had a hand on Lacey's arm and was walking her fast toward the woods. She wasn't making a sound. Jasper kept growling. He growled until they were out of sight in the trees, and then he growled a while longer because that was his part. Then he stopped and went back to his cabin. He was nearly asleep when he heard Ben slip in.

How did it go? Jasper whispered. Ben's smile lit up the darkness. Great! They never spoke about it again. Jasper never saw Lacey again either. But there were only a few days of camp left, and kids went home early all the time. He figured that was it.

He didn't ask anyone, and nobody brought her up. But now... What did you do, Ben? The lacy before them on the dock tilted her head. Tell him, Ben. I... Ben stammered and glanced around as if looking for an escape. I do not recognize the bodies in the water.

You aren't real. Ben, did you kill her? Jasper's voice was low as he focused on his once friend. No, no, I never killed anyone. This isn't real. Ben, look at me. Ben turned his tear-filled eyes to meet Jasper's. Ben, she never wanted to go with you into the woods, did she? Did you trick her into going with you?

Did you drag her out of the cabin? Did you rape her? Ben's face went slack, and Jasper knew. I was just a kid. I was mad at her. and I wanted to do something and... She was a kid, too! Oh my God, Ben!

You're a rapist! No, no, don't call me that! You killed her too, didn't you? Ben took a step back, his heels right at the edge of the dock. No, I swear, she might have been bleeding and crying, but she was alive. I didn't do anything to hurt her. Rage exploded in Jasper's veins,

and he was no longer conscious of the ghostly figures beside them. All he saw was the disgusting man in front of him. You raped her, you monster! Jasper shouted and pushed Ben with all his strength. Ben's eyes went wide as he fell into the lake with a splash. Ben did not surface again. Pale hands clawed through the water and dragged him down into the depths. Jasper remained rooted to the dock until the only sound was water dripping from Eugene and Lacey.

He stared at the lake, now a smooth sheet of black glass. I killed him, Jasper said Dully, like he didn't quite believe it. I killed him like he killed him. You. He looked again at the figures from his past. The innocence he helped defile. I killed you too, didn't I? Together, Lacey and Eugene nodded. Jasper let out a cry that rang through the trees. I thought. I thought I was better than him. But I wasn't, was I? I'm still not. We can help you, Jasper. Lacey replied with a gentle smile. You can help? But why would you help me? Because we aren't like him.

Eugene replied as he took a step back towards the water. Lacey walked towards Jasper and held out a hand. Let us help you. We'll wash the shame away. You'll be good as new. But I killed Ben. What am I going to do? Nobody has to know, Jasper.

Nobody knew about Eugene. Nobody knew about me. Nobody will know about Ben. Come with us and we'll protect you. Jasper's breath came in short bursts. He looked at the dark surface of the wall. and suddenly nothing had ever seemed so inviting. He longed to dive into the darkness and forget everything that had happened since they entered the lake.

We can help you forget, Jasper. Lacey said as if reading his mind, You can forget about Ben, you can forget about us. You'll be happy, I promise. Are you happy? Jasper gulped. Lacey smiled. We'll be happy when you join us. Don't you owe us that?

Jasper, you let me drown, Eugene said. You let him rape me. Lacey added, her hands still outstretched. Without you, we would have been safe. We would have been all right. But you aren't dead. As Jasper said the words, he couldn't tell if they were true or if he simply wanted them to be. I saw you, he said to Eugene.

After. Did you see me, Jasper? Lacey asked. No, no, I don't think so. But I would know if you were dead. Somebody would have told me. You didn't know what happened that night, did you? You did this to me, she said.

Her voice suddenly harsh and angry. You took my innocence. You made me feel like dirt. You are the reason. Jasper cried out again and placed his hands on his ears. Stop! That's enough. I get it. It's all my fault.

All of it. I never should have. I never should have. Tears coursed down Jasper's face, as the crushing weight of guilt fell on his shoulders. It was me. It was me. It was me. He rasped. Lacey reached out again. Her face now gentle and open. Come, Jasper, you can fix it. All of it. You can forget.

Jasper looked at Eugene, the child who was killed in the only place he felt safe. He stared at Lacey, the girl who was so brutally violated. He turned his gaze to the water, where the truth of what he did to Ben would never go away. He took Lacey's hand and entered the darkness. Under the light of the full moon, the lake settled back into stillness. Two bodies floated near the dock, face down, a few feet apart. One of them had climbed the fence first. The other had followed him over, the way he always did.

Beside the dock, the yellow sign shone like a beacon. You do not recognize the bodies in the water. SCP-2316 is the designation for an anomalous phenomenon. located within an unidentified lake in an undisclosed county. It manifests as a small group of human corpses floating on the surface of the water. The identities of these bodies remain unknown, and DNA testing has been inconclusive. Although SCP 2316 appears to consist of several individual bodies, researchers theorize that it may instead be a single entity governed by a collective consciousness.

The individual instances do not appear to act independently, but they are capable of moving and behaving together as one. The individual instances of SCP 2316 are unrecognizable, and you do not recognize the bodies in the water. SCP 2316 produces a powerful cognito-hazardous effect. Individuals who have seen the bodies learned certain details about the anomaly or were enrolled in an unidentified program referenced in the original records may begin to believe that the bodies are people they recognize, typically from

their childhood. Attempting to approach or make contact with SCP 2316, either by entering the lake or touching one of the bodies, will cause additional instances to appear. You do not recognize the bodies in the water. These additional bodies strengthen the cognito-housard, compelling effective individuals to enter the lake. Anyone who enters the water under its influence is lost, and to date none have ever been recovered. Thanks for listening. Be sure to click that follow button with all notifications on to get notified every time a new episode is released.

Two in five Canadians will hear the words, you have cancer. That's why every step and dollar raised matters. On September 19th, join thousands in Toronto for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation walk. Challenge yourself, friends, and family to walk 21 kilometers in support of life-saving research. Together, we can carry the fire and help create a world free from the fear of cancer.

Register today at pmcfwalk.ca.ca.