Run: 2026-03-18-01KM09HSSY1TQ4EK5VV2ZTD6C8

Marie: “Monsieur… est-ce que vous parlez français ?” Hunter: “No. Look, I’m Detective Hunter. I need to ask you about the festival incident last night.” Marie: “Le festival… oui, je… je l’ai vu.” *(she swallows, fingers tightening around her camera strap)* “Mais c’était… bizarre. Trop bizarre.” Hunter: “Start at the beginning. What did you see?” Marie: “Je cherchais de beaux paysages—” *(she gestures vaguely toward the window)* “—et puis… j’ai entendu comme… un cri. Pas longtemps. Très vite… plus rien.” Hunter: “A scream, then silence. Who was with you?” Marie: “Personne. Juste moi. Et mon appareil photo.” *(she gives a small, shaky laugh that doesn’t reach her eyes)* “Je suis allée vers la rue principale, près du stand des pommes.” Hunter: “The apple stands. What happened there?” Marie: “Il y avait… quelqu’un.” Hunter: “Describe them.” Marie: “Je ne sais pas… une silhouette. Très vite, comme s’ils… attendaient ou se cachaient.” Hunter: “Did you recognize them?” Marie: “Non… mais j’ai pris une photo.” *(she turns her camera toward him, then stops herself like she’s ashamed)* “Quand je l’ai vérifiée plus tard… la photo… elle était—” Hunter: “It was what?” Marie: “—vide. Rien. Comme si je n’avais rien photographié.” Hunter: “That doesn’t make sense.” Marie: “Je sais.” *(her voice trembles)* “Je pensais que c’était mon erreur. Mais ensuite j’ai appris—que des personnes… ont disparu.” Hunter: “That’s why I’m asking.” Marie: “Je suis venue pour étudier. Pour apprendre. Et maintenant… je ne me sens plus en sécurité ici.” Hunter: “You’re saying your camera malfunctioned… and people disappeared. Anything else? Anyone ask you questions?” Marie: “Oui… une femme.” *(she closes her eyes briefly, as if the memory hurts)* “Elle m’a demandée quelque chose—mais… je n’ai pas compris. Son ton était… trop calme.” Hunter: “What did she look like?” Marie: “Cheveux foncés… manteau beige… et elle ne souriait pas.” Hunter: “Alright. Did she follow you?” Marie: “Je… je ne sais pas.” *(she lifts the camera again, as if it could prove her fear)* “Mais quand j’ai regardé derrière moi, elle n’était plus là. Pas après quelques secondes… avant même que je—” Hunter: “Before you noticed she was gone. Got it.” Marie: “Et là… maintenant, je tremble.” Hunter: “I don’t see anything here to tremble about.” *(he pauses, realizing she’s genuinely shaken)* “Listen. Are you in danger right now?” Marie: “Je ne sais pas.” *(she stares at her lens cap, then back at him)* “Mais je… je n’aime pas le silence.” Hunter: “Silence isn’t a crime.” Marie: “Non.” *(quietly)* “Mais… le silence après un cri… c’est toujours trop.” Hunter: “Okay.” *(he shifts his weight, scanning the café like it might offer clues)* “I’ll take your statement. Keep your phone on you. If you see that woman again—” Marie: “Je vais photographier.” Hunter: “No.” *(firm)* “You’re not going alone to chase strangers. You call me.” Marie: “D’accord.” *(she forces the word out in a careful French, then adds)* “Mais… monsieur… vous comprenez maintenant ?” Hunter: “I understand you’re scared. The rest… you’re going to have to repeat slower—because I can’t—” Marie: “Je… désolée.” Hunter: “Don’t apologize.” *(his radio crackles)* “Yeah—what is it?” Marie: “Qui vous appelle ?” Hunter: “Busy. Sorry.” *(he looks at her, no-nonsense returning like armor)* “I have to go. That missing-person stuff—might be connected. Stay here, okay?” Marie: “Je resterai.” *(she nods quickly, then grips the camera as if she’s holding herself together)* “Mais… détective… si vous revenez, par pitié… parlez lentement.” Hunter: “I’ll try.” *(he starts to leave, then turns back)* “And keep that photo safe. If it really came out blank… we’ll figure out why.” Marie: “Merci.” *(she watches him go, unsettled, the shutter-ready camera still in her hands like a lifeline)*