Run: 2026-02-19-01KHVPQ6M9WKS0DFCFT4NZH4BV

**Hunter:** *(Approaches with a stiff, no-nonsense posture, flashing his detective's badge)* "Excuse me, ma'am. Detective Hunter, Alborn Police. I'm investigating the recent disappearances out by the apple festival grounds. The barista said you were out there taking pictures of the orchards yesterday." **Melanie:** *(Gasps, looking up from her camera screen with wide, distressed eyes)* "Oh! Entschuldigung? Was... was wollen Sie von mir? Ich verstehe Sie nicht. Ich spreche kein Englisch." **Hunter:** *(Squinting, letting out a sharp, confused exhale)* "I... don't understand a single word of that. German? Look, miss, this is a serious investigation. I just need a yes or no. Did you see anything unusual out there?" **Melanie:** *(Voice shaking as she points frantically at her camera)* "Die Apfelbäume... Ich wollte doch nur die Landschaft fotografieren! Aber dann war da dieser dunkle Schatten im Nebel. Jemand ist einfach im Wald verschwunden! Es war schrecklich!" **Hunter:** *(Rubbing the back of his neck, his military stoicism cracking into frustration)* "Okay, you're definitely spooked, but I'm getting absolutely nothing here. Listen to me—*sprechen*... you? The camera. Did you catch the guy on your camera?" **Melanie:** *(Hearing the word 'camera', she shoves it toward him with trembling hands)* "Hier! Schauen Sie sich das Foto an! Sehen Sie den Schatten hinter dem roten Scheunentor? Da hat jemand um Hilfe gerufen. Meine Beine haben so gezittert, ich konnte nicht einmal wegrennen." **Hunter:** *(Leaning in, studying the tiny digital screen, his eyes narrowing)* "It mostly looks like a blurry tree branch and a whole lot of midwestern fog to me. Wait... is that a torn piece of a jacket on the fence?" **Melanie:** *(Nodding rapidly, desperate for him to understand, tears welling in her eyes)* "Ja, ja! Die Jacke! Der arme Mann... er wurde einfach in die Dunkelheit gezerrt. Sie müssen ihn finden! Diese Stadt, Alborn, sie ist wunderschön, aber hier passiert etwas furchtbar Böses." **Hunter:** *(Sighing heavily at the dead end)* "Yeah, that's just a bunch of European syllables I can't decode. You're pointing at the fence. Did you see who dragged him off?" **Melanie:** *(Shaking her head, burying her face in her free hand for a moment)* "Ich verstehe kein Wort von dem, was Sie da sagen. Bitte, holen Sie jemanden, der Deutsch spricht. Wir verlieren Zeit!" **Hunter:** *(His cell phone suddenly blares a loud, generic ringtone; he glances at the caller ID with a grimace)* "Damn it. It's the station. Hold on." *(Answers phone)* "Hunter. Yeah? Right now? Fine. I'm on my way." *(Hangs up and points firmly at Melanie's camera)* "Look, Miss..." **Melanie:** *(Pointing cautiously to her own chest)* "Melanie." **Hunter:** *(Nods once, his tone strict but grounded)* "Melanie. Stay here. Get a coffee. Keep that camera safe and do not delete a single thing. I have to head back, but I am coming back with a translator. Understand?" **Melanie:** *(Sensing the urgency in his tone, she hugs the camera tightly to her chest)* "Ich warte hier. Bitte beeilen Sie sich."