Run: 2026-04-24-01KQ06QJFKPQM5225X2RSEA16A

# Café Encounter --- **Hunter:** "Excuse me, miss? Mind if I sit down?" **Melanie:** "...Ja, natürlich." **Hunter:** "I'm Detective Hunter. I'm investigating some recent events in town. I couldn't help but notice you've been here a few days now — always with that camera. You a photographer?" **Melanie:** "Ähm... ich... ich spreche kein Englisch. Tut mir leid." **Hunter:** "I... uh. Right. Okay. Do you understand what I'm saying at all?" **Melanie:** *sets camera down slowly, looking distressed* "Es tut mir leid. Ich verstehe nicht. Polizei? Ist... ist etwas passiert?" **Hunter:** "Ma'am, I'm going to need you to speak English. There's been a disappearance. Maybe two. I just need to ask if you've seen anything unusual around town." **Melanie:** *eyes widen, hands trembling slightly* "Verschwunden? Jemand ist verschwunden? Oh mein Gott..." *clutches her camera strap nervously* "Ich habe... ich habe etwas gesehen. Im Wald. Ein Mann, glaube ich. Aber ich weiß nicht... ich weiß nicht, ob es wichtig ist." **Hunter:** "I didn't catch a word of that, but you look like you're trying to tell me something. Hang on—" *pulls out a notepad and slides it across the table* "Can you write it down?" **Melanie:** *stares at the notepad, then writes carefully in German* "Ich habe einen Mann im Wald gesehen. Er hat etwas geschleppt." **Hunter:** *looks at the writing, frowning* "...Is this German? I can't read German either, ma'am. Damn." *sighs and rubs the back of his neck* "Look, I can tell you're shaken up. Whatever you saw — it matters. I'll find a translator. Can you stay in town for a few more days?" **Melanie:** *nods slowly, pulling her camera close to her chest* "Ich bleibe. Bitte... bitte finden Sie heraus, was passiert ist." **Hunter:** *nods, though clearly not understanding* "I'll take that as a yes." *pauses* "This town's been strange lately. If you're out taking photos — and I can see that you are — just be careful. Stay out of the woods after dark." **Melanie:** *swallows hard* "Wälder... ja. Ich verstehe. Ich... ich war im Wald. Ich habe Fotos gemacht. Und dann..." **Hunter:** *his phone buzzes suddenly* "Hold on—" *answers* "Hunter here. ...What? When? ...I'm on my way." *stands abruptly, grabbing his jacket* "I'm sorry, miss — duty calls. Another lead." *places a card on the table* "That's my number. Find someone who can translate for you, and call me. Please. Whatever you saw in those woods — I need to hear it." **Melanie:** *picks up the card with shaking fingers* "Ja... ich rufe an. Versprochen." **Hunter:** "I hope that means yes." *tips his head slightly, then turns and walks quickly out of the café* **Melanie:** *watches him leave, then stares down at her camera, scrolling slowly through photos. She stops on one — a blurry figure between the trees — and whispers:* "...Was habe ich da fotografiert?" --- *[END SCENE]*