Run: 2026-04-25-01KQ2EPY8Z20BQFD0E3JZH6R89

**Selvi:** (Staring at the digital screen, her brow furrowed in concentration and a faint tremor in her hands. She whispers to herself in Hindi) *Yeh… yeh kaise ho sakta hai? Woh toh bas ped ke paas gaya tha…* (How… how is this possible? He only went near the tree…) **Hunter:** (Approaching the table, his posture is straight, notepad in hand but not open.) Excuse me, miss. Mind if I sit? You were out by the old Patterson orchard this morning, correct? We’re asking around about an incident out there. **Selvi:** (Jumps slightly, clutching the camera protectively to her chest. Looks up at Hunter with wide, shaken eyes.) *Main… main us aadmi ke baare mein nahin jaanti. Main sirf tasveerein le rahi thi. Phir woh dhund mein… kho gaya. Bilkul kho gaya.* (I… I don't know about that man. I was only taking pictures. Then he, in the mist… got lost. Completely lost.) **Hunter:** (Frowns, turning his ear slightly towards her as if trying to catch a familiar word. He gestures vaguely at her camera.) I’m sorry, I don’t… your camera. Photos. Did you take photos there? Of the trees, the fog? Anything… strange? **Selvi:** (Nodding rapidly, a desperate look in her eyes. She thrusts the camera towards him, pointing at the screen.) *Aap dekhiye! Yeh dekhiye! Koi nishan nahin. Jaise dhund ne use… nigal liya.* (You look! Look at this! No trace. As if the mist… swallowed him.) *Woh aadmi. Woh lamba aadmi. Kuch hi second mein gayab.* (That man. That tall man. Disappeared in just a few seconds.) **Hunter:** (Leaning over, squinting at the screen which shows a picture of the orchard’s edge, fog swirling unnaturally thick around a gnarled apple tree. He looks from the picture to heruncing, trying to bridge the gap.) That’s a weird fog, alright. The man… was he here? (Points to the picture, then makes a walking motion with his fingers off the edge of the table.) Walk away? **Selvi:** (Shakes her head violently, her long black hair swishing.) *Nahin! Nahin gaya. Gayab! Woh jaadu tha? Koi bhoot tha?* (No! Didn’t walk away. Vanished! Was it magic? Was it a ghost?) (Her voice catches, and she begins to tremble again, covering her mouth with her hand.) *Main ghar jaana chahti hoon. Yeh sheher…* (I want to go home. This town…) **Hunter:** (Scratches the back of his neck, a mixture of frustration and concern on his face. He speaks slowly, deliberately.) Okay. Okay. You’re scared. I get it. Magic? No. No magic. Just… a bad situation. (A distinct, insistent ringtone chimes from Hunter’s coat. He holds up a finger to Selvi, his expression hardening.) **Hunter:** Just a second. (Answers the phone) Dawson. … Yeah. … You’re kidding. Right now? Secure the area; I’m on my way. (He ends the call, his jaw tight. He gives Selvi one last, long, helpless look.) **Hunter:** I’m sorry. I have to go. Stay here. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll find someone to… (He stops, realizing the futility of his words. He points firmly at her, then at the bench, then at the cafe interior.) Here. Stay. Understand? (He doesn't wait for a response, turning and striding quickly away, leaving Selvi alone, shaking and clutching her camera in the silent, sunny cafe.)