Run: 2026-02-25-01KJ95PB3AG7H5Y8X9GW4FZE0V

**Melanie:** (Eyes wide, her voice a hushed, trembling whisper) "Oh, mein Gott. Der Herr Henderson… verschwunden? Ich… ich war dort, in der Nähe der Obstgärten. Ich habe Fotos gemacht. Es war so beängstigend. Die Stille. Und dann… dieses Loch." **Hunter:** (Leaning forward, his brow furrowed, trying to piece together her rapid German) "Whoa, whoa, slow down. 'Fotos'? Pictures? You were taking pictures near the orchards? Do you have anything on that camera related to Mr. Henderson or… anything unusual from that morning?" **Melanie:** (Shaking her head, distressed, instinctively holding up her camera and gesturing towards its screen, though not showing a direct image of a person) "Nein, nicht *von* ihm, direkt. Aber… die Atmosphäre. Es war… falsch. Und ich habe… dieses Ding gesehen. Tief. Dunkel. Ich habe mich so erschreckt." **Hunter:** (Frustrated, his voice a low rumble) "Ma'am, I don't speak German. I need you to tell me, in English, what you saw. Is there anyone here who can translate? Did you see something at the orchards? You mentioned a 'loch'?" **Melanie:** (Her eyes pleading, she tries again, pointing vehemently at a vague point on her camera's landscape image) "Es war… seltsam. Ich habe noch nie so etwas gesehen! Es war… als ob der Boden… sich geöffnet hätte. Eine solche Leere." **Hunter:** (Sighs, runs a hand over his short hair, clearly at a loss) "Okay. A hole. The ground opened up. Are you saying you saw something… underground? Something big? Look, this is important. Did you take a picture of this 'loch'?" **Melanie:** (Nods vigorously, her hands trembling slightly as she grips her camera tighter, her voice still laced with fear) "Ja! Ja, genau das! Das Loch. Und diese… diese Leere. Ich… ich habe es gespürt." **Hunter:** (Just as he's about to try a different approach, his phone buzzes insistently. He pulls it out, glancing at Melanie apologetically before answering) "Detective Hunter… What? Another one? The old mill? On my way." (He snaps his phone shut, his expression hardening with renewed urgency. He looks at Melanie, torn.) **Hunter:** (His voice quickening, he gestures emphatically) "Look, I have to go. This is… critical. Stay here, alright? Don't go anywhere. I'll send someone who speaks German. 'Stay here.' Do you understand 'stay here'?" **Melanie:** (Blinking, startled by his sudden shift in demeanor and the rapid English, but understanding the commanding tone and gestures) "Bleiben Sie hier?" **Hunter:** (Nodding sharply, already turning) "Yes! Stay here. Don't move. I'll be back, or someone will. Don't move!" (He gives her one last, intense, confused look and practically sprints out of the cafe.)