Run: 2026-02-20-01KHYA2HQ7VTEHB5S2S9ZX517K

**Title: *Shadows in Alborn*** --- **Scene: *The Morning After*** *The sun spilled through the stained-glass windows of *Il Caffè del Borgo*, casting golden streaks across the wooden tables. Isabella sat at a corner booth, her camera resting on the table, the lens cap off. She adjusted the focus, her fingers brushing the warm metal—her last shot of the morning’s misty fields. A soft breeze carried the scent of espresso and fresh bread.* *Across the room, Hunter leaned against the counter, arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. He spotted her immediately—her dark hair pulled into a loose braid, her expressive eyes darting between the camera and the café’s patrons. He approached without a word, his presence making the air thick with unspoken tension.* --- **Isabella:** *(without looking up, her voice low and urgent)* *"Qualcuno… è sparito. Oggi."* *(Someone… has gone missing. Today.)* *Her hands trembled slightly as she spoke, her Italian sharp and clipped, the words heavy with dread. Hunter’s jaw tightened. He didn’t know a single word of Italian, but the weight of her tone—*that* was enough.* **Hunter:** *(voice rough, voice mail flashing in his pocket)* *"What?"* *He stepped closer, his boots silent on the linoleum. Isabella met his gaze, her eyes wide with fear.* **Isabella:** *(pointing toward the back of the café, where a group of locals gathered)* *"Lui. Il ragazzo con la giacca rossa. È sparito. Dalle ore nove."* *(That guy. The one with the red jacket. He’s gone. From nine o’clock.)* *Her voice cracked. She reached for her camera, her fingers hovering over the shutter—but she didn’t take a photo. Instead, she pressed her palm against her chest, as if trying to steady herself.* **Hunter:** *(gritting his teeth, pulling out his phone)* *"You’re sure?"* *He didn’t wait for an answer. His phone buzzed—another call. He answered without looking.* **Hunter:** *(into phone, voice low)* *"Yeah, I’m on it. Keep me updated."* *He hung up. His eyes locked onto Isabella again, unreadable.* **Hunter:** *(quietly, almost to himself)* *"Alborn’s got its share of oddballs. But disappearances? That’s new."* *He turned to leave, but his foot caught on the edge of the booth. Isabella’s breath hitched.* **Isabella:** *(voice breaking)* *"Hunter… non andiamo via così. Non ora."* *(Hunter… don’t leave like this. Not now.)* *He paused, his shoulders tense. For a moment, the weight of the town—and the mystery—settled between them. Then he nodded, his expression unyielding.* **Hunter:** *(without looking back)* *"Just… keep your camera handy. And your wits."* *He walked out, leaving Isabella staring after him, her camera still in her hands. The café’s hum faded into silence. Somewhere, a clock ticked. And in the shadows of Alborn, something was stirring.* --- **End Scene.**