TLDR;
Deputy Alex Moreno's routine night patrol turns into a terrifying encounter with the supernatural. After ticketing some reckless teenagers, he hears local legends about the mysterious Orantes family and missing persons. Responding to a call about a woman screaming, Moreno discovers a gruesome murder scene and confronts a winged creature with a jaguar skull mask, a member of the Orantes family. He learns of a territorial war between the Orantes and deer-like creatures and is forced to conceal the truth to protect himself and maintain order, becoming indebted to the Orantes family in the process.
- A routine patrol turns supernatural when Deputy Moreno encounters the Orantes family and a gruesome murder.
- Moreno is caught in a territorial war between the Orantes family and deer-like creatures.
- To survive, Moreno conceals the truth and becomes indebted to the Orantes family, forever changing his role as a law enforcement officer.
Night Patrol and Local Legends [0:06]
Deputy Alex Moreno is on a routine night patrol in Puma County, enjoying the solitude and the predictable nature of his job. He reflects on his decision to join the Sheriff's Department for the stability and benefits it offers. The quiet is shattered by two cars racing down the highway, which he pulls over. The teenagers in the cars mention local stories about the Arantes family, who own a large ranch bordering the state preserve, and rumors of missing people in the area. They hint at strange occurrences and disappearances connected to the family, unsettling Moreno.
Encounter with Leandro Orantes [5:28]
Later that night, while patrolling near Cemetery Mesa, Deputy Moreno encounters a tall, striking man walking along the highway. The man introduces himself as Leandro Orantes, confirming his connection to the mysterious family. Leandro speaks cryptically about the dangers of the desert at night and hints at other entities that hunt under the stars. His old-fashioned clothing and unsettling demeanor leave Moreno with a sense of unease.
The Screams and the Decision [11:47]
Back at the station, the same teenagers he ticketed earlier return, terrified, reporting screams near Cemetery Mesa by the Orantes' property. They claim it sounded like a woman in serious trouble. Knowing backup is 45 minutes away, Moreno makes the fateful decision to investigate alone, driven by his duty to help.
Discovery at Cemetery Mesa [18:47]
Arriving at the old mining road near Cemetery Mesa, Deputy Moreno finds tire tracks and a strange card with crude symbols and a warning written in what appears to be blood. Following the tracks, he discovers signs of a struggle and a piece of fabric from a woman's garment. He radios for backup and a crime scene unit, but hears a moan and continues into the scrubland.
The Gruesome Discovery and the Creature [23:49]
Falling into a wash, Moreno discovers the body of a woman, her face mutilated beyond recognition. Before he can react, he sees a creature perched in a tree above him: a humanoid figure with a jaguar skull mask, glowing yellow eyes, and large, black feathered wings stitched to its back. The creature warns Moreno that he has crossed the wrong line.
Confrontation and Revelation [27:22]
The creature reveals that it is related to Leandro and part of the Orantes family. It explains that the woman wandered where she shouldn't have and that the desert does not forgive trespassers. The creature acknowledges that Moreno will report what he found, but implies that no one will believe the truth. It then spreads its wings and disappears into the night.
The Crime Scene and the Signal [30:52]
When backup arrives, Moreno fabricates a story about a possible animal attack to explain the woman's death. However, he feels watched from the darkness. A strange whistle is heard, and the lights at the crime scene go out one by one. Moreno sees the jaguar-masked creature again, who tells him to step away from the others.
The Orantes Family and the Boundary Walkers [34:06]
More members of the Orantes family emerge, wearing animal masks and displaying inhuman features. They are soon confronted by deer-like creatures, described as "boundary walkers," who have crossed into their territory. The deer creatures are tall, skeletal, and decaying, with human voices crying out in terror from their throats.
The Battle and the Choice [39:13]
A battle erupts between the Orantes family and the deer creatures. Moreno is caught in the middle, witnessing the brutal violence and supernatural abilities of both sides. One of the deer creatures attacks him, but Leandro intervenes, saving his life. Leandro, in a transformed state with wings and claws, warns Moreno not to interfere.
Aftermath and the Debt [43:50]
The battle ends with many of the deer creatures dead and the Orantes family wounded. Leandro reveals that their wings are not natural but crudely attached. As the Orantes family gathers their dead, Leandro tells Moreno that he has seen too much but is still alive, implying that this means something. Before leaving, Leandro makes it clear that Moreno now owes them a debt.
The Cover-Up and the Return [48:30]
Back at the crime scene, Moreno sticks to his fabricated story about an animal attack. Detective Chen notes his disheveled appearance, but he dismisses it as the desert playing tricks. As the crime scene unit departs, Leandro appears, wanting to talk.
The Interrogation and the Questions [52:38]
Leandro leads Moreno away from the crime scene and interrogates him about what he witnessed. He asks three questions: what did you see tonight, what is my name, and what will you report about tonight's activities? Moreno provides answers that conceal the truth and protect the Orantes family.
The Debt and the Warning [59:12]
Leandro reveals that Moreno has passed the test but now owes them a debt for saving his life and for keeping their secrets. This debt means that when they call, Moreno must answer, provide what they need, and make himself available for their purposes. Leandro warns that the alternative is much worse for him and his family. He disappears into the desert, leaving Moreno with the weight of his new reality.
The Aftermath and the New Role [1:01:47]
Back in his patrol car, Moreno reflects on the night's events and the impossible situation he now faces. He knows he cannot tell the truth without destroying his career and possibly his sanity. He realizes that he has become part of the desert's hidden ecosystem, bound by secrets and debts. As he drives back to town, he anticipates the call from the Orantes family, knowing that his life has been forever changed.