Run: 2026-03-12-01KKHYV16MH3V851GMD7EFZ2BM

**Scene** In the warm, cinnamon-scented corner of Alborn’s only café, Marie sat hunched over her camera. The autumn light slanted through the window, glinting off the little screen as she scrolled through the apple festival photos for the third time. Her fingers shook. Every few seconds she glanced nervously toward the door. The bell above the entrance jingled. A tall, broad-shouldered man in a worn leather jacket scanned the room, spotted her, and walked straight to her table. **Voice Sheet** Hunter: "Miss, I’m Detective Hunter. I understand you were taking landscape pictures at the apple festival last weekend. There was a disappearance that same afternoon. I need to know if you saw anything unusual." Marie: "Mon Dieu… le festival… J’ai tout vu ! Un homme a simplement disparu devant mes yeux, comme avalé par l’ombre des pommiers ! J’ai pris des photos, je suis encore toute secouée… J’ai peur qu’on me cherche maintenant !" Hunter: "I’m sorry, I don’t speak French. Not a word. Can you try English? English? Did you see the missing man?" Marie: "Je ne parle pas anglais ! Je suis française, je suis seulement ici pour étudier… Mais c’était horrible ! Il était là et puis plus rien. Regardez les photos, elles montrent tout !" Hunter: "Photos? I see the camera, but I have no idea what you’re saying. This is important. Several people have vanished in the last month. If you witnessed something—" Marie: "Je ne comprends rien de ce que vous dites ! Mais je sens qu’on m’observe depuis ce jour-là. J’essaie de me calmer avec mes paysages, mais chaque fois que je regarde ces images, mon cœur s’emballe !" Hunter: "Language barrier is going to be a problem. Maybe the college can get us a translator today. Don’t leave town. We may need to speak with you again." Marie: "S’il vous plaît, ne partez pas tout de suite… J’ai peur. Très peur. Quelque chose ne va pas dans cette petite ville…" Hunter: "I’ll come back with someone who speaks French. Stay safe." **End of Voice Sheet** Hunter’s phone buzzed loudly against his belt. He checked the screen, his mouth tightening into a grim line. Without another word he gave Marie an apologetic nod and strode out of the café, answering the call as the door swung shut behind him. Marie watched him go, then hugged her camera to her chest like a shield, the cozy café suddenly feeling far less welcoming.