It began in Antarctica, where a naval research base uncovered a mystery both ancient and deadly. Only one man, Alan Ward, escaped alive. Or did he? Now Ward has come home, to the small town of Stoneywood, to its annual Midsummer Carnival—and he's brought something with him. An infection, a living organism that is transforming Stoneywood into a savage, inhuman nightmare, one body at a time. Once you've visited this carnival, you'll never be the same. In fact, you won't even be you.