Run: 2026-02-17-01KHNF72EZNGTK1ZZ77W5025J9

**Scene: A small café in Alborn, MN. Afternoon. Melanie sits alone at a corner table, scrolling through photos on her camera. The café is quiet. Hunter approaches, holding a notebook.** Hunter: "Excuse me. I'm Detective Hunter. I'm investigating some recent... incidents in town. I'd like to ask you a few questions." **Melanie looks up, startled. She speaks rapidly in German, her voice trembling.** Melanie: "Ich verstehe das nicht! Ich war nur dort, um Fotos zu machen—die Landschaft ist so wunderschön hier—and then I saw—ich habe etwas gesehen, das ich nie sehen sollte..." **Hunter blinks, completely lost.** Hunter: "I'm sorry... what? Do you speak English?" **Melanie shakes her head frantically, her hands shaking as she holds up her camera.** Melanie: "Nein, nein! Ich spreche nur Deutsch. Bitte, Sie müssen mir helfen! Diese Männer—sie haben mich beobachtet. Ich habe Angst, allein herauszugehen!" Hunter: "Wait, slow down. I don't... I don't understand German. Um..." **He pulls out his phone, miming typing.** "Photos? Were you taking photos?" **Melanie nods desperately, pointing at a specific image on her camera screen. Her voice drops to a whisper.** Melanie: "Ja! Sehen Sie—das ist der Waldrand, wo ich war. Und dann... dort. Sehen Sie? Zwei Männer. Sie haben etwas getragen—etwas Großes. Ich glaube, es war... ein Körper." **Hunter leans in, frowning at the small screen. He can't make out the details but recognizes the tension in her face.** Hunter: "You saw something. In the woods. Two men?" **Melanie's eyes widen. She grabs his arm.** Melanie: "Ja! Bitte, Sie müssen mir glauben! Ich habe Angst, dass sie mich gesehen haben. Ich habe versucht zu fliehen, aber—" Hunter: "Okay, okay." **He gently removes her hand.** "I believe you. But I need you to come to the station. We can get a translator—" **Hunter's phone rings. He answers, his expression hardening.** Hunter: "Hunter here... What? Where?... I'll be right there." **He hangs up and turns back to Melanie.** Hunter: "I have to go. There's been another—I need to leave. Stay in town. Don't go back to those woods. I'll send someone to your apartment tomorrow, okay? We'll figure this out." **Melanie stands, frightened, speaking rapidly.** Melanie: "Warten Sie—gehen Sie nicht! Bitte—ich kann nicht allein sein! Was ist passiert? Ist jemand—" **Hunter is already moving toward the door. He turns back briefly.** Hunter: "Stay safe. I'll be back." **He exits. Melanie stands alone, clutching her camera, her face pale.** **END SCENE.**