Run: 2026-05-01-01KQHRMHWD3HTAAYQTPASXQS81

**Scene** The afternoon sun filtered through the large windows of the little café on Main Street in Alborn, Minnesota. Melanie sat at a corner table, her half-finished latte growing cold beside her. She was slowly scrolling through the photos on her camera, eyebrows furrowed. The last few images she’d taken near the old orchard path two days ago still unsettled her. The bell above the door chimed. Hunter strode in, scanning the room with the sharp eyes of someone who never truly relaxed. When he spotted the young woman with the camera, he adjusted his jacket and walked over. **Voice Sheet** Melanie: *softly, without looking up* „Ich kann es immer noch nicht glauben… diese Fotos… da war jemand im Wald, ich bin mir sicher. Und jetzt ist er weg. Einfach verschwunden. Ich hätte etwas tun sollen…“ Hunter: *clears throat* “Excuse me, miss. I’m Detective Hunter. Mind if I sit down? I’d like to ask you a few questions about the night of the disappearance out by the orchard. You were seen taking pictures that evening.” Melanie: *finally looks up, eyes wide and troubled, voice shaking* „Es war schrecklich. Ich habe etwas gehört… ein Geräusch, wie ein Schrei, aber gedämpft. Dann diese Gestalt zwischen den Bäumen. Als ich näher kam, war niemand mehr da. Nur noch mein Stativ umgeworfen und diese… diese Schuhe im Gras. Ich habe Angst, verstehen Sie? Richtig große Angst.“ Hunter: *brow furrowed, clearly not understanding a word* “I… I’m sorry, I didn’t catch any of that. Do you speak English? English? Uh… Sprechen… English?” Melanie: *voice trembling, switching to slightly slower but still fully German* „Ja, ich spreche nur Deutsch. Ich bin Austauschstudentin. Niemand hier versteht mich richtig und jetzt… jetzt denke ich, dass ich etwas Schlimmes gesehen habe. Die Polizei muss das wissen, aber wie soll ich es erklären?“ Hunter: *rubs the back of his neck, visibly frustrated but trying to stay professional* “Look, I can tell you’re upset. Something about the woods? The disappearance? If you could just slow down or… write it down? Or maybe there’s someone who can translate?” Melanie: *shakes her head, tears starting to form* „Ich habe Fotos gemacht. Hier, schauen Sie. Die letzten Bilder… da ist ein Schatten, sehen Sie? Ich glaube, jemand wurde geholt. Mitgenommen. Ich schlafe seitdem nicht mehr.“ Hunter: *leans forward, studying her face rather than the camera screen* “I wish I knew what you were saying, I really do. You look scared. That much I understand. We’ll figure this out. I just need to know if you saw anyone—anyone at all—near the old mill that night.” Melanie: *voice rising in anxious German* „Der alte Mühlweg! Genau dort! Ich habe eine Bewegung gesehen, dann ein Auto ohne Licht. Und danach war alles still. Zu still. Bitte, Sie müssen mir glauben.“ Hunter: *sighs, pulling out a small notebook anyway* “Okay. I’m going to write down what I think you’re trying to tell me and come back with a translator. You’re staying at the college dorms, right? Don’t go back out to the orchard alone. It’s not safe.” *The two continue for several more minutes—Melanie growing more agitated and descriptive in German, Hunter nodding along helplessly, repeating the few German words he knows (“ja,” “langsam,” “bitte”) in all the wrong places. The conversation is earnest but completely one-sided.* *Suddenly Hunter’s phone rings. He checks the screen and his expression hardens.* Hunter: “I have to take this. Stay put, okay? I’ll be back.” *stands up quickly, already answering the call* “Hunter here. What’ve you got?” *He gives Melanie one last apologetic look and strides out of the café, leaving her alone with her camera and her untranslated fears.*