## Scene: Alborn Cafe **INT. CAFE - DAY** Sunlight streams through the cafe window, highlighting the dust motes dancing in the air. MARIE, a young woman with a shock of fiery red hair, sits at a table by the window, absorbed in her camera. She flips through photos, her brow furrowed in concentration. HUNTER, a tall, imposing man with a weathered face and steely blue eyes, approaches her table. He's dressed in a plain, dark suit that looks out of place in this quaint cafe. He takes a seat opposite Marie. **HUNTER:** Excuse me, miss. I couldn't help but notice you were taking photos of the carnival. Marie looks up, startled. She stares at him for a beat, her bright blue eyes wide with confusion. She shakes her head, her gaze flitting to the camera again. **MARIE:** (In French) Non, monsieur. Je... Je ne prenais pas de photos de la fête. J'étais juste... j'étais juste... **HUNTER:** (Confused) Uh, I… I don’t understand. Marie closes her eyes briefly, as if fighting back tears. **MARIE:** (In French, slightly shaky) C'est terrible. C'est... c'est horrible ce qui est arrivé... Hunter tries to decipher her words, but his efforts are futile. **HUNTER:** I… I'm sorry. I don’t speak French. Marie sighs and opens her camera, showing him a photo. It's a blurry picture of the carnival ground, but in the distance, a small, huddled figure can be seen. **MARIE:** (In French) La petite fille. Elle... elle était là. Hunter stares at the blurry image, his face growing grim. He can tell, even through the language barrier, that this young woman is deeply disturbed by something. **HUNTER:** Do you know who she is? Marie shakes her head, her eyes downcast. **MARIE:** (In French) Je ne sais pas. J'étais juste... j'étais juste... The cafe door opens and the sound of a ringing phone cuts through the chatter. Hunter glances at his phone, a look of urgency crossing his face. **HUNTER:** (Standing up) I... I need to take this. Thank you for your time. He throws Marie a worried glance before rushing out of the cafe. Marie watches him leave, her brow furrowed in concern. She remains seated, her gaze fixed on the blurry photo, the weight of her unspoken knowledge heavy on her shoulders.