Run: 2026-05-10-01KR8WNPA9R2S6BM1SW9T9B8N7

The scent of cinnamon and crisp autumn air clung to the interior of the Alborn Café. Outside, the preparations for the annual apple festival were in full swing, but inside, the atmosphere was thick with a different kind of tension. Melanie sat by the window, her knuckles white as she clicked through images on her DSLR, her brow furrowed in deep concentration. Hunter tapped his badge against the worn wooden table, his heavy boots echoing on the floorboards as he pulled out a chair. He leveled a steady, analytical gaze at the young woman, though his eyes softened slightly when he saw her trembling hands. *** **Voice Sheet** **Hunter:** "Excuse me, Miss. I’m Detective Hunter. I'm looking into the folks who’ve gone missing around here recently. I saw you near the edge of the woods yesterday with that camera. Did you happen to see anything unusual? Anyone following you? A vehicle maybe?" **Melanie:** *(Her eyes widen, darting toward the window before fixing on him with a look of genuine panic. She speaks rapidly, her voice breathless and frantic.)* "Was ist das? Ich... ich habe es gesehen! Die Schatten, sie waren nicht menschlich. Es war dort, zwischen den Bäumen, und das Licht hat sich so seltsam verzerrt. Ich wollte nur die Landschaft fotografieren, aber dann… Gott, ich zittere immer noch! Ich habe Angst, dass es mich auch holt!" **Hunter:** *(He frowns, leaning back slightly, his brow knitting in confusion. He makes a 'slow down' gesture with his hand.)* "Whoa, slow down there. I’m not catching a word of that. Are you alright? You’re shaking. Look, sweetheart, I need you to focus. Was there a person? Did you see anyone suspicious in the area?" **Melanie:** *(She clenches her camera, her eyes welling up with tears as she points toward the digital screen display.)* "Verstehen Sie nicht? Schauen Sie doch! Ich habe es versucht zu fotografieren, aber es war nichts auf dem Bild. Nur… nur diese Leere. Bitte, Sie müssen mir glauben, es ist nicht sicher hier in diesem Wald!" **Hunter:** *(He sighs, rubbing his jawline, his patience clearly thinning, though he looks genuinely concerned about her mental state.)* "Listen, I don't know what language that is, and this isn't getting us anywhere. I need hard facts, not… whatever it is you’re telling me. If you’re in trouble, get to the station. I’ve got to go." *(Hunter’s radio crackles sharply on his hip. He listens for a tense second, his face hardening as he stands up abruptly.)* **Hunter:** "They found something at the old orchard. Stay put, and for heaven’s sake, keep that camera away from the back trails. You’re scaring yourself over nothing." **Melanie:** *(She watches him go, her voice a fragile whisper, sinking back into her chair.)* "Warten Sie! Sie verstehen nichts… es wird zurückkommen. Es ist bereits hier."