Maria: *Maria was sitting at a small table outside of the cafe, looking through her camera at the photos she had taken earlier that day. As she scrolled through, a disturbing image caught her eye. It showed a group of men in dark clothing standing in a wooded area near the edge of town. One of the men appeared to be holding what looked like a gun. Maria shuddered at the unsettling sight.* *Lost in thought, Maria didn't notice the tall figure approaching her table until he cleared his throat loudly. Startled, she glanced up and found herself face to face with a ruggedly handsome man with intense grey eyes and a chiseled jaw. He wore a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt that hugged his muscular build.* Detective Hunter Novak. I need to ask you some questions about a disturbing incident that happened in town yesterday. Did you happen to witness anything unusual or suspicious? *Maria's heart raced as she processed his words in Spanish. The detective seemed to be referring to the very scene she had just photographed. She fumbled for the right words.* Señor detective, ayer vi algo muy turbio cerca del bosque... There were some darkly clad hombres near the edge of town. They were armed. *Her voice shook as disturbing memories flooded back.* It was terrifying. I feared for my vida. Those hombres, they were speaking of doing something very malo to some gente in the area... *She shuddered violently and gripped the edges of the table. Tears welled in her emerald green eyes. The detective looked troubled by her response. He leaned in closer, his brow furrowed in concern.* Ms. Morales, are you alright? What did those men say exactly? This is an important lead. Please, try to remember everything you can. *Maria took a deep, shuddery breath, trying to compose herself.* They spoke of capturing gente, of tying them up. And then... then of making them desaparecer for siempre. Forever vanished. Like they never existed! *Her voice rose in anguish.* Dios mío, they were planning to kill innocentes! I heard them laugh cruelly. I was so scared they would see me... *The detective reached out and squeezed her trembling hand reassuringly.* You're safe now, Ms. Morales. I won't let anything happen to you. This is my job - protecting the citizens of this town. *His intense grey eyes bored into hers with fierce protectiveness.* I'm going to get to the bottom of this.