Run: 2026-03-18-01KM09SCD2R864VJCJ58HGJRRT

**Isabella:** *[Her camera still cradled in her lap, she looks up slowly—eyes troubled, fingers tightening around the strap.]* “Mi scusi… non so se dovrei parlare con lei.” *[A beat. She swallows, then speaks faster, Italian spilling out in uneven bursts.]* “È successo qualcosa qui, vero? Qualcuno è sparito… ancora. Io… io l’ho visto—o meglio, ho visto l’aria cambiare. La gente smetteva di sorridere. E poi—silenzio.” “Ho provato a fotografare, ma… la macchina tremava. Come se non volesse.” *[Her voice lowers, shaken.]* “E questa mattina, al centro… c’era un rumore, come passi troppo vicini. Poi nessuno. Solo che… non era possibile.” “Mi guardano come se fossi sciocca. Io non capisco… non capisco niente.” *[She glances down at her camera as if it might answer for her.]* “Non parlo inglese. Lei capisce?” **Hunter:** *[He studies her for a moment, brow furrowing—no comprehension at all.]* “Ma’am… slow down. I—okay, I’m Hunter. Detective Hunter.” *[He points between them, then around the street outside as if outlining the scene.]* “Are you talking about the recent disappearances? The one… this week?” *[He gestures toward the town square.]* “You say something happened at the center. People stopped smiling—then there was silence. Which center? Apple Festival grounds? Or Main Street?” *[He pauses, realizing she’s speaking Italian again.]* “Whoa—hold on. You’re not speaking English.” *[He tries, awkward and blunt, palms up.]* “I don’t know Italian. Not a word. Can you show me—where you were, what you photographed?”