Run: 2026-03-03-01KJV005CBPHVRR3Q0KEBRK3DE

The morning air in Alborn was crisp, smelling faintly of the nearby orchards, but Maria felt none of the usual charm of the Midwest. She sat at the corner table of *The Hearth*, her knuckles white as she gripped her digital camera. She scrolled through her latest shots—a blur of forest canopy and a shadow that hadn’t been human. Hunter pushed the cafe door open, the bell chiming sharply. His heavy boots dragged slightly on the floorboards as he scanned the room, his eyes landing on the woman with the expensive-looking lens. He adjusted his jacket, his movements rigid from years of military discipline, and pulled out a chair opposite her. *** **Voice Sheet** **Hunter:** "Ma’am. I’m Detective Hunter. I’ve been asking around about the woods by the orchard yesterday evening. I saw you near the trail. You happen to see anyone else out there?" **Maria:** "(Eyes wide, voice trembling) *¡Dios mío! No entiendo cómo pudo desaparecer así... todo pasó tan rápido. Había una sombra, una silueta larga en los árboles, y luego... el silencio total. ¡Tengo miedo de volver a mirar mis fotos!*" **Hunter:** "(Narrowing his eyes, leaning forward) Whoa, slow down. I don't follow a word of that. Look, I just need to know if you saw a person. A male? Female? Did you see anyone leave the path?" **Maria:** "(Frantic, pointing to the camera screen) *¡Mira! ¡Mira la pantalla! ¿No ves esa deformidad? No era una persona, era algo... algo que no debería existir en este bosque. ¿Por qué nadie más parece darse cuenta de lo que ocurre aquí?*" **Hunter:** "(Rubbing the bridge of his nose, frustration etched into his face) I’m guessing that’s a 'no' on the English? Look, I'm trying to help. This isn't a game." **Maria:** "(Tears welling in her eyes, voice barely a whisper) *Por favor, solo quiero irme a casa. Este pueblo... este lugar no es seguro. ¿Por qué me haces preguntas cuando no hablo tu idioma? ¡Esto es una pesadilla!*" **Hunter:** "(His phone buzzes sharply in his pocket; he glances at the screen and his expression turns grim) Dammit. Look—stay put, alright? Don't go back out to those trees. I have a situation I need to handle." **Maria:** "(Watching him stand, she pulls the camera to her chest like a shield, whispering to herself) *Vete. Por favor, vete de una vez.*" **Hunter:** "(He tosses a business card onto the table without glancing back, already walking toward the door) I don't know what you're saying, but stay out of the woods!"