Run: 2026-02-16-01KHM5SNJM4PXS5S9PTFZ5F3QA

**VOICE SHEET - CAFE SCENE** **Melanie:** (murmuring to herself in German, staring at her camera’s display) *"Das kann nicht sein... Was habe ich da gesehen? Das war kein Tier..."* **Hunter:** "Excuse me, miss? I'm Detective Walsh. I was hoping I could ask you a few questions. I understand you were down by the old mill creek yesterday afternoon, taking pictures?" **Melanie:** (startled, looks up. Her face is pale and her hands tremble slightly) *"Es tut mir leid, ich verstehe nicht. Mein Englisch... es ist nicht gut. Bitte, langsam."* **Hunter:** (sighs, running a hand over his face in frustration) "Right. Okay. Pictures? Photos?" (He makes a square frame with his fingers and mimics clicking a shutter.) **Melanie:** (nods vigorously, holding up her camera) *"Ja, ja, Fotos. Immer Fotos. Aber gestern... etwas ist nicht richtig."* She shudders. **Hunter:** "Did you see anything? Anything... unusual?" (He gestures around vaguely, trying to indicate "something strange.") **Melanie:** (She bites her lip, looking genuinely frightened. She speaks rapidly, her voice shaky) *"Ich glaube, ich habe etwas gesehen. Etwas... oder jemand. Im Wald. Es war schnell, und dann war es weg. Und dann dieser Schrei... Ich habe nichts getan. Ich bin einfach weggelaufen. Ich wollte nur Bilder von den Blättern machen."* She holds the camera to her chest protectively. **Hunter:** (Leans in, trying to read her expression, utterly lost) "A sound? Someone? Look, if you saw something, it's very important you tell me. A person is missing." **Melanie:** (Shakes her head, on the verge of tears, frustrated by the language barrier) *"Ich wollte helfen, ich schwöre es. Aber ich habe Angst. Bitte, verstehen Sie?"* **(The ringtone of Hunter's phone pierces the tension.)** **Hunter:** (Holds up a finger, pulling his phone from his pocket) "Walsh... What? Where? I'm on my way. Don't let anyone touch a thing." (He snaps the phone shut and turns back to Melanie, his expression grim.) "We're not done here. Don't leave town." He strides away, leaving Melanie sitting alone, more confused and troubled than ever.