Run: 2026-02-16-01KHK1XW7S59HKSZ9NBKVA6YQ2

The afternoon sun filtered through the stained-glass window of "The Rusty Core," Alborn's only coffee shop, casting colorful patches on the worn wooden floor. Outside, the town was buzzing with preparations for the upcoming Apple Festival, but inside, the air was quiet and smelled of roasted beans and cinnamon. Maria sat in the corner booth, her fingers trembling slightly as she scrolled through the images on her camera's LCD screen. She had been taking photos of the orchard edges near the old Miller property when she saw something that made her blood run cold. She hadn't moved since returning to town, her usual spark dimmed by fear. Detective Hunter pushed open the door, the bell jingling sharply. His eyes, sharp and scanning, landed on Maria. He noticed the way she clutched the camera like a shield and the pale紧张ness in her posture. He approached with a steady, deliberate gait, his no-nonsense demeanor softening just a fraction for a potential witness. **Voice Sheet** **Hunter:** "Excuse me, miss? I'm Detective Hunter with the Alborn PD. I noticed you were out near the Miller orchard earlier this morning. Did you happen to see anything unusual? Maybe a vehicle or someone you didn't recognize?" **Maria:** *(Looking up with wide, frightened eyes, speaking rapidly in Spanish)* "¡Dios mío! Sí, sí, lo vi. Estaba allí, detrás de los árboles viejos. No era un coche... era un hombre. Llevaba algo pesado, algo que se movía. Cuando me vio, corrió hacia el bosque. ¡Tenía miedo, mucho miedo! No sé qué hacer, solo tomé la foto y corrí." **Hunter:** *(Frowning, leaning in slightly but unable to decipher a word)* "I'm sorry, miss. I don't speak... whatever that is. Spanish? Look, I need to know if you saw the missing hiker. Did you see a man in a blue jacket?" **Maria:** *(Shaking her head vigorously, tears welling up, switching to frantic gestures and broken attempts at communication)* "No, no blue. Dark. Muy oscuro. ¡Peligro! Él tiene la chica. La vi en la foto. ¡Mira, mira!" *(She thrusts the camera toward him, pointing at the screen with a shaking finger).* **Hunter:** *(Squinting at the small screen, trying to make sense of the blurry image of shadows and trees)* "Okay, okay. Slow down. You saw someone taking someone? Is that what you're saying? Can you write it down? Do you have paper?" **Maria:** *(Breathing hard, clutching her chest)* "No papel. Solo esto. ¡Es terrible! ¿Por qué no me entiende? Necesito ayuda. Alguien tiene que ir allí ahora mismo." **Hunter:** "Alright, take a breath. I'm going to get someone who speaks your language down at the station. Just stay right here. Don't go anywhere near those woods again, you hear me? It's not safe." **Maria:** *(Nodding frantically, whispering in Spanish)* "Sí, sí. Por favor, rápido. Antes de que sea demasiado tarde." **Hunter:** "Right. Stay put." *(Hunter's radio crackles, followed immediately by his cell phone buzzing loudly on the table. He glances at the screen, his expression hardening.)* **Hunter:** "Damn it. That's the Sheriff. Looks like another report just came in from the north side. I have to take this and head out immediately." *(He stands up abruptly, tucking his phone away).* "Listen, I'm sending a cruiser to pick you up in five minutes. Do not leave this booth until they arrive. Understand? Nod if you understand." **Maria:** *(Nodding quickly, hugging her camera tight)* "Sí. Entiendo." **Hunter:** "Good. Stay safe, miss." *(Hunter turns and strides out of the cafe, the bell jingling again as he disappears into the busy street, leaving Maria alone with her terrifying photograph.)*