Run: 2026-05-10-01KR8Y6A2XCEKBHN0RSQMQRKRJ

The air in the Alborn cafe smelled of burnt coffee and damp wool, a stark departure from the humid vibrancy of home. Selvi sat by the window, her fingers trembling slightly as she toggled through the playback on her camera’s LCD screen. The image displayed was a jagged, blurred silhouette of someone—or something—darting into the shadows behind the apple orchard fence just moments before the festival lights had flickered out. The bell above the door chimed, cutting through her thoughts. Hunter, a man whose rigid posture and tired eyes screamed "authority," strode toward her table, his boots thudding heavily on the hardwood. He pulled out the chair opposite hers, his presence filling the small space like a thunderstorm. *** **Voice Sheet** **Hunter:** "Miss? I’m Detective Hunter. I’ve been asking around about the festival yesterday. I noticed you were out near the orchard with that camera of yours. Did you happen to see who caused the commotion by the apple press?" **Selvi:** "(Gesturing wildly at the camera screen, her voice high and breathless) क्या तुम देख रहे हो? यह वह नहीं है जो सामान्य है! वह छाया... वह मनुष्य नहीं था, वह बहुत तेजी से चला! मुझे बहुत डर लग रहा है, वह उस रात वहां था और वह हमें देख रहा था!" **Hunter:** (Frowning deeply, his brow furrowing as he leans back) "Whoa, slow down. I don't follow a word of that. Look, I’m just trying to get a straight answer here. Did anyone approach you? Did you see a face?" **Selvi:** (Her eyes wide, she taps the camera screen emphatically, her voice rising in urgency) "नहीं, कोई चेहरा नहीं था! बस अँधेरा! मैंने बस एक फोटो ली और वह गायब हो गया... जैसे धुआं! आप मेरी बात क्यों नहीं समझ रहे हैं? वह अभी भी यहीं है, इस शहर में!" **Hunter:** (He rubs the bridge of his nose, the silence stretching between them. He sighs, frustration evident in his stiff shoulders) "I’m getting absolutely nowhere. I don't speak... whatever language that is. Look, I’m going to need you to stay in town. If you have photos, I need a statement." **Selvi:** (She clenches the camera strap, her lower lip quivering as she looks around the cafe, checking the corners) "कैसे समझाऊं कि वह वहां है? आप सिर्फ पुलिस हैं, आपको यह नहीं दिख रहा है कि क्या हो रहा है! कृपया, बस मेरी फोटो देखें, बस ध्यान से देखें!" **Hunter:** (His phone buzzes sharply on the table. He glances at the screen, his expression hardening instantly. He stands mid-sentence, already reaching for his radio) "Hold that thought. I’ve got to go—there’s another report coming in from the north ridge. Stay put, do not leave Alborn."