Run: 2026-05-01-01KQHT7FDEHBYF1FDVX16A97B9

**Scene** The afternoon light filtered softly through the windows of the little café on Main Street in Alborn, MN. Selvi sat at a corner table, her dark hair falling across one shoulder as she scrolled through the photos on her camera. The annual Apple Festival was still two weeks away, but she had already begun capturing the quiet beauty of the town — golden fields, red barns, the way the leaves were just beginning to turn. She didn’t notice the tall, serious-looking man until he stopped beside her table. Hunter: “Excuse me, miss. I’m Detective Hunter with the county sheriff’s office. Mind if I ask you a couple questions about what happened at the old orchard two nights ago?” Selvi looked up, her eyes widening. The memory of that night — the strange lights, the scream she thought she heard, the way the air had gone unnaturally cold — flooded back. Her hands trembled slightly around her camera. Selvi: “Main raat ko waha thi… mujhe kuch ajeeb awaazein sunai di thi. Ek aurat ki cheekh… phir sab khamosh ho gaya. Main bahut darr gayi thi. Main soch rahi hoon ki shayad maine kuch galat dekha… par camera mein kuch bhi nahi aaya.” Hunter stared at her, completely lost. He understood none of the rapid, musical syllables pouring out of her mouth. Hunter: “…I’m sorry, I don’t speak… whatever that is. Do you speak English at all? Español, maybe?” Selvi shook her head, looking more troubled. She pointed at her camera, then at the orchard direction outside the window, trying to mime what she had seen. Selvi: “Main samajh nahi rahi hoon aap kya keh rahe hain… par kuch galat ho raha hai is shehar mein. Log gayab ho rahe hain. Main yaha sirf landscape photos lene aayi thi… ab mujhe lag raha hai main bhi gayab ho jaungi.” Hunter rubbed the back of his neck, clearly frustrated by the language barrier. Still, he could read fear when he saw it. Hunter: “Look, I can see this is upsetting you. If you saw something that night, anything at all… I need to know. Maybe there’s someone in town who can translate? I can come back with—” His phone suddenly buzzed loudly. He glanced at the screen, his expression tightening. Hunter: “Damn it. I have to take this. Stay safe, alright? Don’t go near that orchard alone.” He gave her one last look — equal parts concern and confusion — then turned and strode quickly out of the café, answering the call as he went. Selvi watched him leave, hugging her camera to her chest. The untouched cup of chai in front of her had gone cold.