## Scene: Cozy Cafe The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of apple pie, a signature smell for this quaint Alborn cafe. Sunlight streamed through the window, catching the delicate freckles dusting Marie's nose as she sat, her chin resting on her hand, staring at her camera. She was surrounded by photos - landscapes of rolling hills, quaint farmsteads, and the bustling market square during the recent Apple Festival. But today, a shadow seemed to darken her usually bright eyes. A shadow fell over the table, interrupting her reverie. Marie looked up to see a tall, broad-shouldered man in a worn leather jacket. His gaze was intense, scrutinizing. “Excuse me, ma’am,” the man said, his voice deep and gruff. "Did you happen to see anything unusual around here these past few days?" Marie blinked, confusion momentarily replacing the sadness in her eyes. She didn't understand. **Marie:** "Je... je ne comprends pas. Pardon." (I... I don’t understand. Sorry.) Her voice was soft, laced with a French accent. The man frowned, his expression shifting from inquisitive to utterly bewildered. **Hunter:** "Uh… What?" **Marie:** "Je ne parle pas anglais. Je suis Marie. " (I don't speak English. I'm Marie.) She gestured to herself, hoping he would understand. Hunter, however, looked completely lost. **Hunter:** "Look, I need to ask you a few questions about the disappearances..." He paused, realizing his words meant nothing to her. Sighing, he pointed at himself. **Hunter:** "Hunter. Police." He mimed handcuffs, hoping to get his point across. Marie’s eyes widened. She shook her head, her brow furrowed. **Marie:** "Disparitions? Il y a eu un problème?" (Disapparances? Is there a problem?) He didn't understand a word, yet he sensed the fear in her tone. **Hunter:** "Just some missing folks. You haven't seen anything, right?" He tried to smile, hoping to put her at ease. It didn't seem to be working. Marie chewed on her lip, distress evident in her posture. **Marie:** "Oui… J’ai vu quelque chose. Quelque chose de terrible...” (Yes… I saw something. Something terrible…) Her voice was barely a whisper. Hunter's phone buzzed, interrupting the tense exchange. He pulled it out, frustration etched on his face. **Hunter:** "Sorry, gotta take this." He answered the call, giving Marie a curt nod. "Yeah, I'm coming." He glanced back at Marie, wanting to offer some kind of reassurance. But with the language barrier, all he could muster was a helpless shrug before turning and walking away. Marie watched him go, a tremor running through her. Suddenly, Alborn – the quaint, picturesque town she had come to adore – seemed menacing, shrouded in a cloak of secrets.