DENVER, COLORADO Mark Sanborn is 7 years old when the death of his big brother is surrounded by mysterious circumstances. Following this childhood tragedy, a strange phobia manifests itself, and over the years, begins to consume him. At age 25, Mark finds himself alone after the death of his parents, so he loses himself in his work as a forensic pathologist, leaving no time for friends or a social life of any kind. His life dramatically changes the day he meets Iris Blue, an attractive waitress and nursing student. After a whirlwind romance, he's certain that he has found his soulmate, the woman of his dreams. As Mark and Iris begin to build their lives together, they meet Hal and Roxie Lundstrom and become close friends. Strange occurrences are reported throughout Colorado. There are sightings of unidentified lights in the skies and incidents of cattle mutilations. Then, one day Iris vanishes, and Mark's world is turned upside down. Months go by, but there are no leads. There are only questions, and the case goes cold. A discovery in a faraway desert requires investigation and expertise of forensic scientists and medical personnel from around the world. Mark hesitates, but then decides to embark on this bizarre expedition. The scientists are in a state of shock when evidence points to the existence of an alien species. No one is prepared for what secrets are buried with the souls of the desert. Will Mark ever find out what happened to his dear Iris?