Run: 2026-02-17-01KHNG0958HZVK35STT3XPQMXW

# Scene: Alborn Cafe - Afternoon --- **Maria:** *(gazing at her camera, occasionally touching the lens as if comforting herself)* **Hunter:** *(approaches the table, holding a notepad)* Excuse me. I'm Detective Hunter. I'm investigating some recent events in town. I'd like to ask you a few questions. **Maria:** *(looks up, startled, eyes wide)* ¿Qué? No entiendo... No hablo inglés. *(shakes her head, hands shaking slightly)* **Hunter:** *(furrows brow, confused)* I'm sorry? **Maria:** *(voice trembling, speaking rapidly in Spanish)* No sé qué pasó... Vi cosas que no debería haber visto. Esto es aterrador. No puedo... no puedo seguir aquí. **Hunter:** *(holds up hands, speaks slowly)* I'm sorry, I don't... I don't understand. Do you speak English? Español? **Maria:** *(shakes head frantically)* ¡No! ¡No inglés! *(clutches camera tighter)* Yo solo... solo quiero irme a casa. **Hunter:** *(sighs, looks around, tries hand gestures)* Okay. Okay. The Apple Festival. You were there? Yesterday? **Maria:** *(eyes widen further, looks terrified)* ¡El festival! *(points toward the window, toward the direction of the orchards)* ¡Allí! Vi... vi algo. En los árboles. Sangre. Sangre en los árboles. **Hunter:** *(confused, writes in notepad)* Blood? She's saying blood? *(speaks louder, pointing)* Blood? Blood in the trees? **Maria:** *(nods rapidly, tears forming)* Sí, sí... sangre. Y luego... luego escuché los gritos. Someone... alguien grito. Y después... después nada. *(whispers)* Silencio. **Hunter:** *(realizing she's describing something significant)* The screams. She heard screams. *(into notepad)* Wait—disappearance. She might have seen something about the disappearances. **Maria:** *(grabs Hunter's arm unexpectedly)* Por favor, necesito ayuda. Tengo miedo. Someone está buscando... buscando algo. O a alguien. **Hunter:** *(gently removes arm, tries to sound calming)* Okay. Okay. I need you to stay calm. I'm going to help you. But I need to understand. *(points to himself)* Detective. Police. I'm the good guy. **Maria:** *(sniffles, nods slowly)* Bueno. Bueno. Usted es... policía. *(looks at his badge)* ¿Poli-cía? **Hunter:** *(points to badge)* Yes. Police. *(points to her)* Your name? Name? **Maria:** *(wipes eyes)* María. Me llamo María. **Hunter:** *(writes)* Maria. Good. *(points to her camera)* And that? Pictures? Did you take pictures? **Maria:** *(looks at camera, then nods)* Sí, fotos. Tomé fotos. Muchas fotos. **Hunter:** *(eyes light up)* The photos. Can I see them? Fotos? Pictures? **Maria:** *(hesitates, then slowly opens camera bag, pulls out memory card, holds it out)* ¿Esto? ¿La tarjeta? Aquí están las fotos. **Hunter:** *(takes memory card carefully)* Thank you. This is important. Very important. *(pockets the card)* I'll bring this back. Stay in town, please. Don't leave. **Maria:** *(nods weakly)* Okay. Okay, detective. **Hunter:** *(phone rings, answers)* Detective Hunter. *(listens, expression hardens)* I'm on my way. *(to Maria)* I have to go. Stay safe. Stay in town. **Maria:** *(calls after him in Spanish, confused)* ¿Qué? ¿Se va? ¡Espere! ¡Tengo miedo! **Hunter:** *(turns back, gives her a reassuring nod, then exits quickly)* **Maria:** *(alone, clutches camera, whispers to herself)* Por favor... que alguien me proteja... --- *End scene.*