Run: 2026-02-25-01KJ95M91S7WYH05HT4S9A6GYK

The air in Alborn was thick with the scent of spiced cider and damp earth, the telltale signs of the upcoming Apple Festival. At a corner table of the "Cider Press Café," Melanie sat hunched over her Nikon, her blonde hair falling over her face as her fingers trembled against the zoom lens. Detective Hunter approached, his heavy boots echoing on the hardwood floor. He adjusted his leather jacket, his face set in a grim expression that had become his trademark since the third disappearance. He pulled out a badge, though his presence alone usually signaled his authority. *** **Hunter:** "Excuse me, miss? Detective Hunter, Alborn PD. I’m hoping you can help me with a few questions." **Melanie:** "Oh! Entschuldigung? Ich... ich habe Sie nicht kommen sehen. Wer sind Sie?" **Hunter:** "Whoa, okay. Take it easy. I’m Detective Hunter. I’m investigating the incident near the old orchard last night. Several witnesses said they saw a woman with a professional camera near the north trailhead around dusk. That was you, wasn't it?" **Melanie:** "Hören Sie, ich weiß nicht, was Sie sagen, aber ich bin immer noch völlig fertig. Es war so furchtbar. Diese Schreie... ich kann sie immer noch hören, wenn ich die Augen schließe." **Hunter:** "I’m sorry, I don't speak... is that German? Look, I don't have a translator on hand, but this is urgent. Did you see a man in a dark parka? About six-foot-two?" **Melanie:** "Ich wollte nur das Abendlicht einfangen. Die Farben waren so schön. Aber dann... im Schatten der Bäume... da war jemand. Er hat sie einfach mitgenommen. Ich war zu starr vor Angst, um den Auslöser zu drücken." **Hunter:** "I need you to focus. I don't understand a word you’re saying, but you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Was there someone else out there? Did you take a picture of him?" **Melanie:** "Warum verstehen Sie mich nicht? Ich habe solche Angst. Er hat mich fast gesehen! Ich habe meine Kamera versteckt und mich im Gebüsch vergraben, bis es still war. Schauen Sie mich an, ich zittere immer noch!" **Hunter:** "Look, ma'am—Melanie, right? I saw your name on the college registry. Please, if you have something on that camera, I need to see it. It’s a matter of life and death for the girl who went missing." **Melanie:** "Ich verstehe kein Wort Englisch. Bitte, rufen Sie jemanden an, der Deutsch spricht! Ich habe vielleicht etwas gesehen... etwas Wichtiges. Aber ich weiß nicht, was ich jetzt tun soll." **Hunter:** "Dammit... I’m getting nowhere. Stay right here. Don't move. I’m going to call the station and see if—" *[Hunter’s phone buzzes aggressively in his pocket. He pulls it out, glancing at the screen. His jaw tightens.]* **Hunter:** "Hunter here. What? You found her jacket? Where? The creek? I’m five minutes away. Hold the scene." **Hunter:** "Listen, Melanie—I have to go. A lead just came in. Stay here, okay? Stay in this café. I’ll be back with someone who can talk to you. Do you understand? Stay." **Melanie:** "Warten Sie! Gehen Sie nicht! Was soll ich denn machen? Soll ich zur Polizei gehen? Bleiben Sie hier!" **Hunter:** "I’m sorry. I have to move. Just... don't delete any of those photos." **Melanie:** "Gott im Himmel... er geht einfach. Was mache ich jetzt nur mit diesen furchtbaren Bildern?"