Run: 2026-03-18-01KM079AMHSKYEXA2ZM7R891G5

**Scene: The Café in Alborn** *The interior of *The Brewed Bean*, Alborn’s cozy café, hums with quiet chatter as the scent of coffee and cinnamon lingers in the air. Maria sits by the window, her camera resting on the table, her fingers absentmindedly tracing its edges. Outside, the golden afternoon light filters through the trees, casting long shadows on the quiet street.* *The bell above the door chimes as Hunter steps inside. His sharp eyes scan the room before landing on Maria. He approaches her table, his expression guarded but polite.* --- **Hunter:** *(pulling out the chair across from Maria and sitting down without waiting for an invitation)* “Good afternoon. Mind if I ask you a few questions?” *Maria looks up, startled, her dark eyes widening slightly. She hesitates, then smiles politely but cautiously.* **Maria:** *(hesitant, in accented but clear English)* “Yes. Of course.” --- **Hunter:** *(leaning forward slightly, hands folded on the table)* “I’m Detective Hunter. Trying to piece together what happened the night of the 12th. You were near the old mill around dusk, right?” *Maria’s fingers tighten around her camera. She glances out the window, her expression clouding over.* **Maria:** *(in Spanish, shaken)* “Sí… I was taking photos. It was beautiful—” *(she swallows, her voice trembling slightly)* “But then I heard… noises. Like someone was there, but not alone.” --- **Hunter:** *(tilts his head, confused by the sudden language shift)* “Wait, what? I don’t—” *(he sighs, rubbing his temple)* “Could you speak English? Slowly?” *Maria blinks, realizing her mistake. She takes a deep breath, forcing herself to switch languages.* **Maria:** *(in slow, careful English, her hands trembling slightly)* “I—I saw a figure. A man. He was arguing with someone near the mill. Then… then I heard a scream. After that… nothing. Just silence.” --- **Hunter:** *(leaning back, arms crossing)* “And you didn’t call the police?” **Maria:** *(shaking her head firmly, her voice rising slightly)* “No! I—I didn’t know. I was scared. I ran. I didn’t—” *(she stops, pressing her lips together, her breath uneven.)* --- **Hunter:** *(nodding, though his frown deepens)* “Alright. I need you to come by the station later and give a full statement. Understood?” *Maria nods mutely, her knuckles white around her camera.* --- *Hunter’s phone suddenly rings—an urgent, shrill sound that makes Maria flinch. He pulls it from his pocket, glances at the screen, and curses under his breath.* **Hunter:** *(standing abruptly, his chair scraping against the wooden floor)* “Gotta take this. Don’t go anywhere.” *(He walks toward the café’s back exit, answering the call as he goes.)* “Yeah?” *Maria watches him leave, her breath shaky. She looks down at her camera again, her heart pounding.* *The café’s murmur returns, wrapping around her like a fog.* --- **End Scene.** --- Would you like any adjustments to the tone or dialogue flow?