SCP Foundation

My idea is this: An entity that can only be observed as a set of footprints mimicking the footprints of organic subjects within a certain radius of it. These footprints create depressions in any walking surface, regardless of the hardness or softness of it, and do not remain once the entity has "stepped" away. If no subject is in range, the entity is undetectable.

The footprints are seen to walk independently within the area of the subject regardless of movements or lack thereof made by the subject. It has been observed to follow a subject or move parallel to them, but that seems to be by its own choice.

I'm trying to figure out if the entity can travel independently of an organic subject, or if it relies entirely on the presence of a subject to get around. I'm not sure to what extent an SCP like this needs a motive.
So far I do not believe it exhibits any aggressive or confrontational tendencies. It is mostly curious or "wandering" in its movement.

Is it interesting? Is there something big missing? Thoughts?

Hmm. Does it have to be an entity? We have a lot of humanoids already, and I think what would make this interesting would be the complete lack of an entity, with the narrative being about how the Foundation attempts to figure out if there's something actually present or not.

I've heard from a few people that sometimes monsters are less scary when they're actually revealed, as opposed to when there's just a few things hinting at what could be following you. It might be unique for the article to explore all these different manifestations of "something" being there without outright saying "yeah, it's a thing that makes footprints".

I think the general idea of autonomous footprints could be used as part of an SCP. I think that you're thinking about the wrong things. You're focusing too much on the how, and not enough on the why. Where did these footprints come from? What perpetuates their existence? Are they attached to an intelligence, and if yes, what is its motivation? Does it have a goal, or is it a restless spirit eternally wandering the Earth with unfinished business? Those are the questions that will decide a good SCP from this idea.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

As W_Oberst mentioned, I had been thinking that infrared light visibility may play a role in this somehow, but I guess I need to hammer out what this thing is better first.

Zyn and Roget have both picked up on the same questions I've been asking myself as I was typing a bit of a rough draft. Is it or is it not an entity? And if so, what does it want? If not, what is its purpose? I sort of wanted its purpose to just "Be confusing", and I think Zyn picked up on that.

I really like Zyn's suggestion of a narrative about the Foundation trying to see if there's something present or not. I think that resonates the most with how I feel about this… thing. (What word should I use to refer to it if nobody is sure whether it's an "object" or an "entity"?) I think this may be the direction I try to take it from here.

But then I guess it would have to do more than just make footprints, yeah? So now I need to explore ways something can make its presence known without making itself known.

Currently I'm brainstorming what tests could be performed to determine whether or not an entity is present. I think a big part of the "testing" phase of the story will be deciding what the tone of the piece needs to be.

I certainly like the idea of this SCP being confusing to the point of unsettling or scary, but I'm also really taken with some of the more humorous test logs I've been reading in SCP-682 and SCP-914. This could be a good opportunity for a "throw things at it and see what sticks", or it may not work out. I guess I won't know until I write a draft or two.