War-Buh-Lang - An Author's Commentary on SCP-5952
Forward
SCP-5952, "The Warbalang", is my 22nd surviving SCP, discounting 0166. Along with 3721 and 4886, I consider it one of my strongest articles.
5952 takes inspiration from a variety of sources. As with most of my work, the setting is inspired by a plethora of horror media. The audio-only logs in-particular are inspired by The Magnus Archives; indeed, Rockwell was envisioned as a kind of "Avatar" for Whitewater's god. Most central to Whitewater and Rockwell, however, was the real-life Religious Right and Troubled Teen Industry.
CW for discussions of child abuse, antisemitism, and gore. Spoilers for 5952, as well as 4886, 3178, and the tale 'A Dove in a Chicken Pen'.
Containment and Description
SCP-5952 has been spotted exclusively in and around the Whitewater Second Chance School for Troubled Teens (WWSCSTT),
I consider this line the focal point of the pre-Story section.
As the best conprocs should, 5952's are intended to clue the reader into the nature of the story, as well as hook the reader with further questions. 5952 is a manhunt; simultaneously, 5952 is a journey into a lions' den. Why hasn't 5952 been found yet? What is WWSCSTT, and why is it so restrictive on the Foundation? This isn't the first piece where bureacracy works against the it; but then, that bureaucracy typically involves high-level GoIs.
That line is meant to hit the reader in the face, regardless of their knowledge on the American rehab industry. It establishes a kind of petty and infantile politicking, a security for the sake of "security". At the same time, it cements one of the primary pre-stinger mental images.
The Warbalang is built up to be an Ugly Bastard. It's ugly, deformed in a way that signifies evil in most fiction. Moreover, it hunts teenage girls, stealing them away to some unknown fate. It's one of the most blatant transgressions of the norm there is.
And as the reader finds out by the end, it's also the good guy.