Run: 2026-03-18-01KM09G7NEW8YE4A5A7EKMC025

**Scene: The Café in Alborn, MN** *(The morning sun filters through the large windows of "The Daily Grind," a cozy café in Alborn. Maria sits at a corner table, her camera resting on the table in front of her. She stares absently at the street outside, her expression troubled. Hunter enters, scanning the room. Spotting Maria, he strides over.)* --- **Hunter:** *(approaching the table)* Excuse me. Mind if I sit down? **Maria:** *(glancing up, slightly startled)* Oh, uh—yes, I suppose. *(nervous smile)* **Hunter:** *(pulling out a chair)* Thanks. You look like you’ve seen something. **Maria:** *(chewing her lip, hesitant)* I—I don’t know. Maybe. **Hunter:** Relax. I’m Hunter. Local PD. Mind if I ask you a few questions? **Maria:** *(eyes widen slightly)* Oh. *(fidgets with her camera strap)* Yes, of course. I am Maria. From Spain. **Hunter:** *(nods, then frowns slightly)* From Spain? Huh. Lot of folks come through here for the festival, but not many stay long-term. **Maria:** *(quietly)* I’m here for… study abroad. Taking photos. Landscape. **Hunter:** *(rubbing his jaw)* Right. Listen, I’m investigating those disappearances. You heard about them? **Maria:** *(voice trembling slightly)* Yes. Terrible. The last one was… *(shakes head)* I saw something. **Hunter:** *(leaning forward, sharp interest)* When? **Maria:** *(hesitating, then in rapid Spanish)* "Ví a alguien corriendo cerca del lago anoche—llevaba algo oscuro, una chaqueta o un abrigo. Luego, una figura alta cerca de los árboles. No sé qué hacer." **Hunter:** *(blinking, confused)* Uh… what? Look, I don’t speak— **Maria:** *(frustrated, switching to broken English)* I saw *someone* running near the lake last night. Dark coat or jacket. And a tall figure by the trees. *(mimics a hood with her hands)* **Hunter:** *(frowning, pulling out a notebook)* Why didn’t you report this? **Maria:** *(shrugs helplessly)* I thought maybe… nothing. Or I wouldn’t be believed. My English— **Hunter:** *(cutting in, gruff but not unkind)* No, you did right by telling me now. Where exactly was this? **Maria:** *(points vaguely)* Near the park. By the old mill. **Hunter:** *(writing quickly)* Got it. Any marks on the coat? Distinguishing features on the figures? **Maria:** *(shakes head)* No. Dark. Just… running. **Hunter:** *(pockets his notebook, stands abruptly)* Alright. Thanks for your time. If you see anything else— **Maria:** *(interrupting, worried)* Wait! Will you be safe? **Hunter:** *(pauses, almost smiles)* Yeah. I’ll be fine. *(His phone rings—he checks the screen, curses under his breath.)* **Hunter:** Gotta go. Stay alert. *(He strides out, leaving Maria staring after him, her fingers trembling as she lifts her camera again.)* --- **End Scene.**