The morning mist still clung to the windows of Alborn’s only coffee shop, scenting the air with roasting beans and woodsmoke. Selvi sat in the corner booth, her fingers trembling as she scrolled through the digital gallery on her Nikon. The vibrant colors of the Apple Festival felt garish compared to the dark shape she’d captured in the woods behind the orchard. Hunter pulled out the chair across from her, his boots thudding heavily on the linoleum. He laid a grainy surveillance photo on the table—a missing person’s flyer. He didn't offer a greeting; he didn't have the time for it. **Voice Sheet:** **Hunter:** "Morning. I’m Detective Hunter. I'm looking into the disappearance of the young man who was working the cider press yesterday. People saw you taking photos near the north ridge. Did you see anyone following him?" **Selvi:** "नमस्ते... मुझे माफ कीजिए, मुझे समझ नहीं आ रहा आप क्या कह रहे हैं। पर वहां... वहां जंगल में कुछ बहुत बुरा था। मैंने अपनी आंखों से देखा।" *(Namaste... I'm sorry, I don't understand what you are saying. But there... there in the woods was something very bad. I saw it with my own eyes.)* **Hunter:** "Slow down. I don't speak... whatever that is. Was it a man? A tall guy in a flannel jacket? I need you to focus. Look at this picture. Did he go toward the lake?" **Selvi:** "मेरी बात सुनिए! वह लड़का... वह अकेला नहीं था। वहां छाया जैसा कुछ था। यह बहुत डरावना है, मेरी धड़कन रुक रही है। क्या आप मेरी कैमरा की तस्वीरें देखेंगे?" *(Listen to me! That boy... he wasn't alone. There was something like a shadow there. It’s very scary, my heart is stopping. Will you look at my camera's photos?)* **Hunter:** "Look, I’m not here to talk about the scenery or your photography kit. I need a 'yes' or a 'no.' Did you see this person on the trail? Just point in the direction he went." **Selvi:** "नहीं, नहीं! पुलिस? आप पुलिस हैं, है ना? कृपया, यह बहुत खतरनाक है। हमें वहां वापस नहीं जाना चाहिए। मुझे डर लग रहा है।" *(No, no! Police? You are police, right? Please, it’s very dangerous. We shouldn't go back there. I am afraid.)* **Hunter:** "Dammit, I knew I should have grabbed a translator from the city. Stay here, don't leave town. I need to find someone who—" *[Hunter’s radio crackles with a sharp burst of static, followed by a frantic voice. His phone begins to vibrate violently on the table.]* **Hunter:** "Hunter here. Slow down... Where? The old packing house? Copy that, keep the perimeter tight. I'm two minutes out." **Selvi:** "रुको! तुम जा रहे हो? मेरी तस्वीरें तो देखो! वहां कुछ छिपा है!" *(Wait! You’re leaving? At least look at my photos! Something is hiding there!)* **Hunter:** "I have to go. Emergency. Just... stay put, okay? Stay in the light."