Run: 2026-02-19-01KHVP83QR5VGMJ9SRR14XX88Z

Hunter: [Approaching the cafe table, flashing his badge, his posture stiff and military-straight] "Excuse me, ma'am. Detective Hunter. I'm investigating the recent disappearances around town. I've seen you walking the festival grounds. Mind if I ask you a few questions?" Selvi: [Startled, looking up from her camera's digital display. Her eyes are wide and visibly fraught] "Kshama kijiye? Mujhe angrezi nahi aati... Main aapki baat nahi samajh rahi." *(Excuse me? I don't speak English... I don't understand what you are saying.)* Hunter: [Frowning, tilting his head slightly] "Right. Zero English. Listen, I'm just trying to figure out what happened at the orchards. You've been carrying that camera all over Alborn since the apple festival started. Have you seen anything unusual?" Selvi: [Hearing ‘camera’ and ‘apple festival’, her breathing quickens. She grips the camera tightly, speaking rapidly with a trembling voice] "Apple festival? Haan! Maine wahan seb ke baag mein kuch bhayanak dekha! Jo log gayab hue hain... us andhere mein koi tha!" *(Apple festival? Yes! I saw something terrible in the apple orchards there! The people who disappeared... there was someone in the dark!)* Hunter: [Raising a hand to pause her, looking completely lost] "Whoa, take a breath, miss. I don't understand a single word you're saying." [He leans in, pointing to his eyes, then to her, then to the woods outside the cafe window] "Did. You. See. Something?" Selvi: [Nodding frantically, her hands shaking as she points to her camera screen] "Haan! Haan! Dekhiye! Main landscape ki tasveerein le rahi thi... par background mein dekhiye. Yeh aadmi... mujhe darr lag raha hai." *(Yes! Yes! Look! I was taking landscape photos... but look in the background. This man... I am scared.)* Hunter: [Squinting at the small digital screen, his gruff demeanor softening into intense focus] "Is that... the edge of the festival grounds? Wait. Zoom in. Who the hell is that standing past the tree line?" Selvi: [Pressing the zoom button with a shaky finger, tears welling in her eyes] "Dekha aapne? Usne un logon ka peecha kiya tha. Wo unke piche hi chal raha tha!" *(Did you see? He was following those people. He was walking right behind them!)* Hunter: [Rubbing his jaw, clearly frustrated by the language barrier but intrigued by the photo] "I have no idea what you're trying to tell me, but that guy does not look like he's here for the cider. I need to get this camera down to the precinct. I need someone who speaks..." [Points at his own mouth, then to her] "What do you speak? Hindi?" Selvi: [Recognizing the word 'Hindi', nodding eagerly] "Haan, Hindi! Mujhe madad chahiye, kripya ise samjhiye!" *(Yes, Hindi! I need help, please understand this!)* Hunter: [Pulling out his phone] "Okay, stay put. I'm going to call dispatch and see if we have a translator on the county payroll—" [His cell phone suddenly rings. He checks the caller ID, his jaw tightening. He hits accept.] "Hunter. ... When? ... Are you sure it's connected to the others? ... Damn it. Don't let anyone touch the scene, I'm on my way." Selvi: [Watching his face darken, clutching her camera to her chest] "Kya hua? Koi buri khabar hai? Aap pareshan lag rahe hain." *(What happened? Is it bad news? You look worried.)* Hunter: [Hanging up, his police-cop persona snapping back into place. He stands up abruptly, pointing firmly at the table] "I have an emergency. Another one's gone missing. I have to step out." [Presses his palm flat in the air, gesturing for her to stay] "Stay. Here. Do. Not. Leave. I'll be back." Selvi: [Panic flashing across her face as he turns away] "Aap kahan jaa rahe hain? Kripya mujhe akele mat chhodiye! Yeh khatarnak ho sakta hai!" *(Where are you going? Please don't leave me alone! It could be dangerous!)* Hunter: [Pausing mid-stride, looking back at her sympathetically but firmly] "I'm sorry, miss. Just stay at the cafe." [He turns and jogs out the door, the cafe chimes ringing behind him].