Run: 2026-03-12-01KKHZ5NJMDS8F6SA2J962A1DH

**Scene** The small café in Alborn, MN buzzed quietly with the afternoon crowd. Melanie sat at a corner table near the window, her camera resting on the wooden surface as she slowly scrolled through the day’s landscape photos. The golden autumn light filtering through the apple trees outside had been perfect for shooting, but her usual calm expression had been replaced by something troubled. Hunter entered the café, scanning the room with the sharp eyes of someone who never fully clocked off duty. Spotting the young woman with the camera (the one several locals had mentioned seeing near the trail where the latest disappearance occurred), he approached her table. **Voice Sheet** Melanie: “...” Hunter: “Excuse me, miss. I’m Detective Hunter with the Alborn police. Mind if I ask you a few questions about what happened near the old orchard two nights ago?” Melanie: “Es tut mir leid… ich habe nichts gesehen. Aber… ich habe etwas gehört. Es war schrecklich. Ich glaube… jemand hat geschrien, und dann war da dieses seltsame Licht im Wald. Ich bin sofort weggerannt. Ich habe solche Angst…” Hunter: “…” Melanie: “Bitte… ich weiß nicht, was ich sagen soll. Ich verstehe Sie nicht. Mein Englisch… es ist nicht gut. Aber ich habe Angst. Die Leute verschwinden hier einfach.” Hunter: “I… uh… I’m sorry, I don’t speak German. Do you speak any English at all? English? Just a little?” Melanie: “Nur ein bisschen… aber nicht genug. Es war so dunkel… und dann diese Stille. Ich will einfach nur meine Fotos machen und wieder nach Hause.” Hunter: “Look, I can see you’re shaken up. Whatever you saw or heard, it could be important. If you remember anything—anything at all—please…” Melanie: “Ich… ich kann nicht. Nicht jetzt. Es war zu viel.” Hunter: “Damn. Alright… here’s my card. If you find someone who can translate, call me. We need to figure out what’s happening in this town.” Melanie: “Danke… aber ich weiß nicht, ob ich helfen kann.” Hunter’s phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen, his expression tightening. Hunter: “I have to take this. Stay safe, miss.” He gave her one last frustrated but sympathetic look before turning and hurrying out of the café, answering the call as he stepped into the crisp Minnesota air. Melanie remained at the table, hands trembling slightly as she stared at her camera once more, the unsettling images from that night still fresh in her memory.