Run: 2026-05-01-01KQHRCCDR4FFQ1K4FZW86Z2W6

**Scene** In the cozy corner of Alborn’s only café, where the warm scent of cinnamon-apple cider and fresh turnovers drifted through the air ahead of the annual festival, Marie sat hunched over her camera. The 30-year-old French exchange student slowly scrolled through golden-hour shots of the orchard hills, her usual peaceful expression replaced by a furrowed brow. Heavy footsteps approached. Detective Hunter, broad-shouldered and straight-backed from his Marine days, stopped at her table. He had no time for pleasantries; another disappearance had been reported, and the quiet Frenchwoman had been seen near the scene with her camera. The conversation that followed was a study in polite bewilderment. **Voice Sheet** Hunter: "Excuse me, miss. I’m Detective Hunter. I understand you were photographing near the old mill yesterday evening. Anything unusual happen while you were there?" Marie: "Mon Dieu… c’était horrible ! J’ai tout vu… la femme marchait tranquillement et puis elle a crié, une ombre étrange l’a enveloppée et elle a simplement… disparu ! J’ai peur que ça m’arrive aussi. Je ne dors plus depuis !" Hunter: "…I didn’t catch a single word of that. Ma’am, do you speak any English at all? English? We really need to know what you saw." Marie: "Je ne parle pas anglais… personne ici ne comprend ! J’ai pris des photos, regardez ! Sur l’écran on voit une lumière bizarre juste avant qu’elle s’évapore. Je vous jure que c’est vrai !" Hunter: "Photos? I see the camera, but I can’t make out what you’re saying. You look pretty shaken. If you could just slow down and point or… write it down, maybe?" Marie: "Écoutez, j’ai essayé d’aller à la police ce matin mais ils m’ont regardée comme vous en ce moment. Je ne suis pas folle ! C’était comme si la terre l’avait avalée. J’ai tellement peur…" Hunter: "All right, this isn’t getting us anywhere. I can see you’re upset. Stay in town. I’ll find someone who speaks French and come right back." Marie: "Ne partez pas tout de suite… j’ai encore une photo qui est très étrange. Regardez, là, dans le coin…" Hunter: "I’ve got an urgent call coming in from the station. I have to leave now. We’ll continue this later. Stay safe." *(Hunter gives an apologetic nod, already pulling his ringing phone from his coat pocket, and strides out of the café, leaving Marie alone once more with her camera and her untranslated fears.)*