Maxum

No one in their right mind goes into the wilderness around Maryfield, a forgotten town in Oregon. Or so Zach Taylor thought, until his friend Jason sneaks him into a private event called The Masked Investor—held at a mansion deep in the woods.

The night is spectacular with red carpet trails, glittering chandeliers, CEOs in ornate masks, and a chance to connect with Sarah—his former best friend … also Jason’s girlfriend. 

Amid dancing under holographic stars and negotiating with billionaires, Zach finds Jason having a whispered discussion in a conservatory “off-limits” to guests. 

That’s when Zach sees them—the animals. 

A deer with serrated teeth. 

A duck with horns. 

A crow with scales.

The slurred words of a brown-masked investor buzz in his ear like a trapped fly: Human. Human. Human. 

A dagger is pointed at Jason’s throat.

Zach smells something sweet—sweet like anesthesia. 

Everything goes dark.

“Welcome to Human Integration Organization.”