**Voice Sheet – Scene: Café Encounter in Alborn, MN** *Setting: A quiet corner café in Alborn, MN. Morning light filters through the window. Marie is seated at a small table, quietly reviewing photos on her camera, her brow furrowed. Hunter enters, badge subtly visible, and approaches her with a calm but direct demeanor.* --- **Hunter:** Ma’am? Mind if I ask you a few questions? I’m with the county sheriff’s office—been looking into some… unusual things happening around town lately. You’re new here, right? **Marie:** *(looking up, startled)* Quoi? Je… je ne comprends pas. Je suis désolée… *(shakes head, voice trembling slightly)* Je ne parle pas anglais. **Hunter:** *(frowning slightly, leaning in)* I… uh. Sorry. I don’t… understand French. You’re French? **Marie:** Oui! Français. Je m’appelle Marie. *(gestures to herself, then to her camera)* Je suis étudiante. Je photographie… le paysage. Mais… *(her voice drops, eyes darting around)* …il s’est passé quelque chose. La nuit dernière. Dans la forêt. **Hunter:** *(slowly, trying to follow)* You saw something? In the woods? Last night? **Marie:** *(nodding rapidly, agitated)* Oui, oui! Une lumière… pas naturelle. Et puis… un cri. Comme un animal… mais humain. J’ai pris une photo… *(fumbles with camera, pulls up a blurred image of a pale light between the trees)* Regardez. **Hunter:** *(peering at the image, expression hardening)* Hmm. That’s… not lighting from the town. Not festival stuff. Where exactly was this? **Marie:** Près du vieux sentier. Derrière l’orchard… où il n’y a personne. J’avais peur. Je suis partie en courant. **Hunter:** *(muttering to himself)* Old trail behind the apple orchard… that’s near where the Peterson girl vanished. *(turns back to Marie, gentler now)* You did good, showing me this. I need to keep this photo. You have your phone? In case I have more questions? **Marie:** *(hesitant, clutching camera)* Vous… vous pensez qu’il y a un danger? **Hunter:** *(softly, shaking head slightly)* I don’t know yet. But I’ll find out. Stay in town. Avoid the woods at night. And… thank you. *(Suddenly, Hunter’s phone rings. He answers sharply.)* **Hunter:** …Yeah? What? *(pause. His expression tightens.)* Where? …Understood. I’m on my way. *(He looks back at Marie, apologetic but urgent.)* **Hunter:** I gotta go. Stay safe, okay? Don’t wander off. *(He gives a quick nod and strides out. Marie watches him leave, then hunches over her camera, whispering to herself.)* **Marie:** *(softly, fearful)* Mon Dieu… qu’est-ce qui se passe ici? *(Scene fades out.)* --- **End Voice Sheet**