Run: 2026-05-10-01KR8WV5QWHE3R105SQQCAA5BK

The bell above the door of *The Apple Core Cafe* chimed, but Selvi didn't look up. She was huddled in a corner booth, the steam from her untouched chamomile tea curling into the chilly Alborn air. Her fingers, slightly trembling, hovered over the dial of her Nikon. She scrolled through the digital playback, her eyes widening at the last photo she had taken near the edge of the woods—a blurred shape that didn't belong in a landscape of autumn leaves. The heavy tread of boots on the wooden floor signaled someone approaching. A shadow fell over her small table. "Excuse me," a low, gravelly voice said. "Ma'am? I don't mean to intrude on your lunch, but I saw you out by the creek earlier this morning. You were taking pictures near the old trailhead." Selvi froze. She looked up, her dark eyes wide and brimming with a sudden, sharp anxiety. She saw a man in a dark utility jacket, his face lined with the kind of exhaustion that came from too many sleepless nights and too much caffeine. He looked official. He looked like the kind of person who asked questions that people didn't want to answer. She gripped her camera tighter, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. *** **Voice Sheet** **Hunter:** "Excuse me. Sorry to bother you, but I'm Detective Hunter with the county. I saw you out by the old trailhead earlier. You were taking a lot of photos near the creek. Did you happen to see anything unusual out there? Maybe someone walking near the woods?" **Selvi:** "Maine wahan kuch dekha... woh... woh koi insaan nahi tha. Sab kuch kitna daravna tha. Main bas wahan se bhagna chahti hoon." **Hunter:** (Frowning, tilting his head) "I... I’m sorry? I didn't quite catch that. Do you speak English? I'm looking for any information regarding the disappearances. Anything out of the ordinary?" **Selvi:** "Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha aap kya keh rahe hain. Kya aap meri madad kar sakte hain? Woh cheez... woh pedon ke peeche thi." **Hunter:** (Sighing, rubbing the bridge of his nose) "Right. Language barrier. Look, I'm sorry, I don't know a word of... whatever that was. But you look like you've seen a ghost. Are you okay? Did something happen out there?" **Selvi:** (Shaking her head frantically, gesturing to her camera) "Nahi, nahi... maine bas tasveer li. Par jab maine camera dekha... woh gayab ho gaya. Sab kuch badal gaya." **Hunter:** "I can tell you're shaken up, and I'd love to help, but I'm hitting a wall here. If you can find a way to show me what you mean on that camera, maybe we can—" *(Hunter’s phone vibrates violently against his hip. He pulls it out, his expression instantly hardening into a professional mask.)* **Hunter:** "Duty calls. Stay here, okay? Don't go wandering off alone. If you find someone who can translate, have them call the station. I've got a lead to follow." **Selvi:** "Rukiye! Kya aap sach mein ja rahe hain?"