Spaces_001-2A
Nickname: The Pineskin Grove
Danger Ranking: 2A
First Reported: 1972–06–11 — Outside Yacolt Burn State Forest, WA

Summary:
The Pineskin Grove is a spatial anomaly located deep within the northern treeline near Yacolt Burn. At first glance, it appears to be a dense stretch of evergreens marked by abnormal growth patterns—straight lines, perfect spacing, and an uncanny stillness, even in wind. GPS systems, compasses, and visual landmarks become unreliable within 50 feet of its border.

Visitors report a peculiar itching sensation on exposed skin that intensifies the longer one remains within the area. Extended exposure leads to faint patterns emerging on the flesh—lines, knots, and whorls resembling pine bark. These are not tattoos or burns, but dermal transformations that mimic arboreal features.

The area does not expand, but it seems to subtly shift its perimeter seasonally. Satellite imagery shows inconsistent canopy density between months, suggesting interior movement or regeneration.

Known Properties:

• Interferes with directional orientation and renders mapping attempts unreliable.
  
• Induces slow dermal transformation in living beings—often unnoticed until late stages.
  
• Internal flora is unnaturally symmetrical; tree rings analyzed post-removal show no aging.
  
• Recovered bark samples possess human DNA signatures and faint hair follicles.
  
• Audio anomalies detected—repeating whispers in wind that correspond to names of those currently inside.
  
• No animal life observed within the grove.
  

Containment Procedure:

• Entire perimeter is surrounded by a 3-mile exclusion zone, with signage citing “unstable soil conditions” and “research logging zones.”
  
• Drones are prohibited from flying above the grove due to known navigation and signal failures.
  
• Personnel entering must undergo full dermal scans before and after missions.
  
• Any subject displaying more than 15% epidermal patterning must be quarantined and monitored for up to six months.
  
• No logging, digging, or sampling permitted within the central interior zone (marked Grove-Alpha).
  

Encounters:

• 1972–06–11 — Yacolt Burn, WA: Local hunters report “silent forest where you can hear your skin,” followed by cases of rapid-onset bark patterning.
  
• 1981–09–03 — PARADIGM Survey Team: Four members required partial skin grafts after two-hour mission. Internal grove layout did not match initial mapping.
  
• 1990–10–18 — Civilian Hiker Incident: Teenager found wandering four miles from entry point, covered in calloused pine-bark-like growths. Only spoke in repeating phrases: “I can root, I can wait.”
  

Recommendation:
Maintain wide berth. Use indirect surveillance only. This space is not expanding, but it does not need to—it is already growing into you.

Do not breathe too deeply inside. Something might breathe back.

List of Case Workers:

• Dr. Lanford Hail (Status: Deceased, 1976)
  
• Field Agent Mya Tillman (Status: Active)
  
• Forest Cartographer Jules Mendez (Status: Active)
  
• Botanist A.G. Norr (Status: Retired, 1989)
  
• Exo-Spatial Analyst Kim Reyes (Status: Active)