## Mocha Mayhem Sunlight streamed through the large cafe windows, illuminating swirling dust particles dancing in the warm air. Maria hunched over a table, a cup of untouched coffee growing cold beside her camera. Her fingers traced the worn leather strap, anxiety gnawing at her gut. She had only arrived in Alborn a few days ago, drawn by its quaint charm and the promise of capturing its autumnal beauty through her lens. Now, the picturesque town felt heavy with a strange, unspoken tension. Suddenly, a shadow fell across her table. She looked up, startled, into the intense blue eyes of a man built like a retired linebacker, his presence commanding the space around him. He wore a creased trench coat despite the warm day, giving him an air of silent authority. *Hunter approached the table, carefully avoiding bumping Maria’s camera.* **Hunter:** "Excuse me, ma'am. I couldn't help but notice…" *He hesitated, gesturing towards her camera.* "You seem to be documenting our fair town. Mind if I ask a few questions?" Maria instinctively clutched the camera closer, her Spanish tumbling out in a rush of worried whispers. **Maria:** "¡Lo siento, no hablo inglés. No entiendo!" Hunter's brow furrowed. **Hunter:** "Huh? Maria's eyes widened, her hand flying to her chest. **Maria:** "¡Desaparecieron! ¡Tres personas! ¡Es terrible!" She spoke with increasing desperation, gesturing wildly as she struggled to convey the chilling news she'd overheard at the local bakery. Hunter, completely lost, only managed a bewildered stare. **Hunter:** "Ma'am, I... I don't understand what you're saying. Can we maybe... find someone who speaks...?" His sentence was cut short by a shrill ringing from his jacket pocket. He drew out a phone, a grimace twisting his face. **Hunter:** "Duty calls. Look, I'm sorry I couldn't—" He hesitated, his gaze lingering on Maria's concerned expression. "Maybe someone at the library could help? They're usually pretty good with..." He trailed off, mumbling an apology as he turned away, his hearty footsteps echoing in the quiet cafe. Maria watched him go, his words fading into the background. The unease she'd felt since arriving in Alborn intensified, now tinged with a new fear. Something was deeply wrong in this idyllic town, and no one seemed to notice except her.