## Cafe Encounter The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and cinnamon buns filled the small cafe, a comforting haven in the quaint town of Alborn. Marie, nestled in a corner booth, cradled her camera, its weight familiar and reassuring. Her gaze, however, wasn't on the lens, but lost in thought, a flicker of unease playing across her face. Suddenly, a shadow fell across her table. Looking up, Marie was met with the stern gaze of a man built like an oak tree, his uniform a stark contrast to the cafe's cozy ambience. "Excuse me, ma'am," the man, Hunter, began, his voice deep and gruff, "Did you happen to see anything unusual yesterday evening near the park? Around sunset?" Marie's eye widened, a tremor running through her. Her breath hitched, and a flurry of French tumbled out, too fast for Hunter to grasp. **Marie:** "Il y avait... des cris, une ombre... disparaître..." Hunter frowned, utterly lost. He cleared his throat, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. **Hunter:** "Ma'am, I don't understand. Can you speak English?" Marie shook her head, pressing her lips thin. The memories, raw and unsettling, played in her mind, each image sharper than the last. **Marie:** "J'ai peur... il faut faire quelque chose..." Hunter sighed, frustration tempering his initial curtness. He needed to get something out of her, some clue, anything. **Hunter:** "Look, I know this is hard, but I need your help. Just point me in the right direction. Any information could be useful." He held up his hands, palms open in a gesture of reassurance. Marie hesitated, her fear battling against a flicker of hesitant trust. **Marie:** "Le... le lac... près de la forêt." She pointed towards the window, towards a sliver of shimmering blue peeking between the buildings. Hunter's brow furrowed. **Hunter:** "The lake? What about it?" Before Marie could answer, a shrill ring cut through the cafe chatter. Hunter pulled out his phone, his face hardening. **Hunter:** "Looks like I gotta go. Can you... Can you meet me there tomorrow morning? Same time?" Marie nodded slowly, a sliver of hope amidst the fear that still clung to her. Hunter, without waiting for confirmation, was already half-way out the door. He paused, though, casting a last glance at Marie. **Hunter:** "Try to stay safe, ma'am." He disappeared into the crisp autumn air, leaving Marie alone with her camera and a growing sense of unease. **Voice Sheet** ** Marie:** "Il y avait... des cris, une ombre... disparaître..." *There were... screams, a shadow... disappear...* **Marie:** "J'ai peur... il faut faire quelque chose..." *I'm afraid... something needs to be done...* **Marie:** "Le... le lac... près de la forêt." *Th-the... the lake... near the forest.* **Hunter:** "Excuse me, ma'am, Did you happen to see anything unusual yesterday evening near the park? Around sunset?" **Hunter:** "Ma'am, I don't understand. Can you speak English?" **Hunter:** "Look, I know this is hard, but I need your help. Just point me in the right direction. Any information could be useful." **Hunter:** "The lake? What about it?" **Hunter:** "Looks like I gotta go. Can you... Can you meet me there tomorrow morning? Same time?" **Hunter:** "Try to stay safe, ma'am."