Run: 2026-02-25-01KJBH86CNQRQ0P0VXHAB6THQG

Maria: *[Looking at camera screen, speaks softly to herself]* “La luz es perfecta, pero tengo miedo.” *(The light is perfect, but I am scared.)* Hunter: *[Approaching the table, tapping a folded pen on the wood]* “Excuse me, miss? You’re Maria?” Maria: *[Startled, clutching her camera to her chest]* “¿Quién es usted? ¿Qué quiere aquí?” *(Who are you? What do you want here?)* Hunter: *[Leaning in, voice hard but controlled]* “I’m Hunter. Deputy Sheriff Alborn. I need to ask you some questions about the disappearances last night.” Maria: *[Shaking her head rapidly, eyes darting away from him]* “No quiero hablar. Ellos miran. Pueden escuchar.” *(I don't want to talk. They watch. They can listen.)* Hunter: *[Rubbing his temple, confused but persistent]* “They? Miss, there are no ‘they’ in this neighborhood. I just need to know if you saw anyone near the orchard. The Apple Festival was tonight, wasn’t it?” Maria: *[Voice trembling]* “Sí vi. Vi el coche. El coche gris. No miré, juró.” *(I did see it. I saw the car. The grey car. I didn't look, I swear.)* Hunter: *[Pauses, trying to parse her emotion rather than words]* “Okay. Grey car. You didn’t look? Why?” Maria: *[Points at the woods beyond the cafe, shaking slightly]* “Porque vi las manos. No vi cara. Solo manos en la ventana.” *(Because I saw the hands. I didn't see the face. Just hands on the window.)* Hunter: *[Reaching into his pocket for a sketchpad]* “I’m writing this down. Just tell me the location. Where did you see them?” Maria: *[Standing up quickly, knocking her chair back slightly]* “¡Por favor! No más preguntas. Quiero volver a mi casa.” *(Please! No more questions. I want to go back to my house.)* Hunter: *[Stepping forward, hand raised to stop her]* “Wait. This is important. If you saw something, it’s for your own safety. You can’t just leave town, María.” Maria: *[Fists clenched tight]* “No soy de aquí. No sé nada. Solo quiero tomar fotos y irme antes del festival.” *(I am not from here. I know nothing. I just want to take photos and leave before the festival.)* Hunter: *[Takes a deep breath, frustrated]* “Look, I don’t speak your language, and you don’t speak mine. But there’s a woman missing. We think it’s connected to this camera of yours. We need to see the photos.” Maria: *[Looks down at the camera lens, then back up, terrified]* “No puedo. Si muelten, saben que estaba allí.” *(I can't. If they shoot, they know I was there.)* Hunter: *[Phone begins to vibrate in his pocket. He glances at the screen, then back to her]* “I—” Maria: *[Backing away toward the exit]* “Por favor. Déjame ir.” *(Please. Let me go.)* Hunter: *[Sighs, answering the phone while watching Maria]* “Hunter. What is it?” Maria: *[Already at the door, hand on the handle]* “Que te maldigan por esto.” *(May you be cursed for this.)* Hunter: *[Into phone]* “Yeah, I gotta go. I’ve got a lead on a grey vehicle.” Maria: *[Exits, camera strap heavy on shoulder]*