The Aurora Encounter

In 1987, schoolteacher Alain Peebles inherits the town's failing newspaper after her father's death. She is determined to revive the paper and pursue stories that others dismiss.

A UFO appears in the woods outside Aurora, stirring curiosity and fear among residents. The sight marks the beginning of a series of mysterious encounters.

Late at night, Irene reports a short alien-looking man at her window, followed by beams of light across her yard. The eerie visitation quickly becomes town talk, fueling rumors of extraterrestrial visitors.

Alain begins investigating Irene's story to publish it in the newspaper, determined to bring the sighting to light. Her pursuit makes Irene a pariah in town, shunned by neighbors who doubt her tale.

One of Alain's students, Sue Beth, witnesses the UFO near a river and sees the extraterrestrial again. The alien leaves behind a strange crystal that becomes a key clue for the investigation.

Sue Beth brings the crystal to Alain to examine for the newspaper's story. Alain studies the crystal, hoping it will unlock the mystery behind the sightings.

Charlie, a local drunk, encounters the extraterrestrial and senses its benevolence. The two share beer and a game of checkers, though the alien does not speak.

Sheriff Ben is frustrated by Alain's persistence, considering the coverage irresponsible journalism. He clashes with Alain as she pushes the town to believe the unexplainable.

Seeking official acknowledgment, Alain travels to Austin to meet with the governor and discuss the incidents. She is dismissed, returning with little support from authorities.

Despite skepticism, Charlie's stories of the alien persist among locals who doubt him. His accounts remain a point of contention in the town's discourse.

Sue Beth brings Ginger and Becky to a native burial ground where bones, artifacts, and painted hieroglyphs line the sticks. The ground suddenly collapses beneath them, trapping them in a cavern.

The extraterrestrial is summoned by the crystal and uses its power to levitate the girls out of the collapsing cave to safety. The incident confirms the visitor's protective presence.

The next day, Phillip visits Alain and confirms he also saw the UFO. Alain arranges a town-wide attempt to summon the extraterrestrial using the crystal.

The public summoning succeeds as the extraterrestrial descends toward the town. Phillip shoots the alien as it approaches the crowd, and the vehicle carrying the being crashes into the town water tower and explodes.

A proper funeral is held for the extraterrestrial, attended by Alain, Charlie, Sheriff Ben, Irene, and the girls. As the casket's crystal glows blue, it launches into the sky and disappears in a torrent of light.