## Scene: Cafe in Alborn, MN **(Maria sits at a table by the window, sunlight streaming in. She’s absorbed, reviewing photos on her camera. A rugged, no-nonsense figure, HUNTER, approaches her table. He clears his throat.)** **Hunter:** Excuse me. **(Maria looks up, startled. She blinks at Hunter, then back at her camera, seemingly unsure how to respond.)** **Hunter:** I’m Detective Hunter. I’m looking into the… well, the missing folks around town. **Maria:** (Frowning, looking troubled) *Dios mío... ¿Qué está pasando aquí?* **(Hunter furrows his brow, completely lost. Maria sighs, her shoulders slumping.)** **Maria:** *No entiendo... No hablo inglés.* **Hunter:** (Confused) Huh? **(He gestures at himself helpfully.)** **Hunter:** Hunter. Detective. **(Maria looks at him, then back at her camera, her face etched with anxiety. She speaks again, her voice barely above a whisper.)** **Maria:** *Me llamo Maria... Estoy... Estoy asustada.* **Hunter:** (Leaning in) You’re scared? **(He pulls out a notepad and pen.)** **Hunter:** What are you scared of? **(Maria hesitates, then points to a photo on her camera screen. It’s a blurred image of a shadowy figure disappearing into the woods. She shakes her head, tears welling up.)** **Maria:** *Lo vi... Lo vi en el bosque... Era... Era aterrador.* **Hunter:** (Squinting at the photo) You saw… something in the woods? **(Maria nods, her voice choked with emotion.)** **(Suddenly, Hunter’s phone rings. He answers it, his expression hardening.)** **Hunter:** (Into phone) Yeah? What is it? Alright, I’m on my way. **(He looks apologetically at Maria.)** **Hunter:** I gotta go. This is important. **(He scribbles something on his notepad and holds it out to Maria.)** **Hunter:** Call me if you see anything else. My number is here. **(He turns and walks away briskly, leaving Maria staring after him, her face a mixture of fear and uncertainty.)**