Run: 2026-05-10-01KR8YBK0CVQ5E01GWXZE29KNH

The golden light of late afternoon slanted across the rustic wooden tables of the Alborn Café, casting long shadows over the remnants of an unfinished espresso. Isabella sat hunched over her digital camera, her brow furrowed as she scrolled through the images she’d captured near the festival grounds. When the heavy thud of boots stopped beside her table, she jumped, clutching the camera strap instinctively. Hunter stood over her, his silhouette framed by the window. His tired eyes scanned the café before fixing on the stranger. He cleared his throat, his posture rigid. *** **Hunter:** "Excuse me, miss? Sorry to interrupt your browsing. I’m Detective Hunter. I'm looking into some recent… issues around town. You were near the festival grounds earlier today, weren't you? By the orchard entrance?" **Isabella:** *[She looks up, her eyes wide with a lingering, visceral fear. She shakes her head slowly, clutching the camera against her chest.]* "Dio mio… non avrei mai dovuto guardare. C'era un’ombra, una figura che non apparteneva a questo posto. Ho cliccato l'otturatore per puro istinto, ma ora… ora mi sembra che sappia esattamente chi sono. Non capisco cosa stia succedendo in questa città!" **Hunter:** *[He frowns, his eyebrows drawing together as he tilts his head. He shifts his weight, clearly unsettled by the rapid-fire cadence of the foreign language.]* "Slow down. Look, I’m not following a word of that. Are you saying you saw someone? Was there a suspect near the orchards?" **Isabella:** *[She notices his confusion and points frantically at the camera’s display, her voice trembling.]* "Guardi! Guarda qui! L'obiettivo non mente, detentore… o chiunque tu sia. Se guardi la foto, vedrai che non c'era nessuno lì, eppure… eppure ho sentito il respiro sul mio collo. È una maledizione, questa città è maledetta!" **Hunter:** *[He gestures helplessly with his hands, his no-nonsense face softening into an expression of pure frustration.]* "I really wish I could help you, but you realize I can't read your mind, right? You’re talking in circles—or maybe just a different language. 'Maledetta'? Is that a name? Look, just… take a deep breath. Can you show me the pictures?" **Isabella:** *[She pulls the camera back, hugging it tighter, her eyes darting toward the cafe door as if expecting an intruder.]* "No! Se ti faccio vedere, diventi parte di questo incubo. Non capisci niente, vero? Niente!" **Hunter:** *[He opens his mouth to respond, but a sharp, rhythmic buzzing emanates from his hip. He reaches down, pulls out his radio, and listens intently. His jaw tightens.]* "Damn it. Yeah, I’m on my way. Over." *[He sighs, shooting an apologetic but firm look at Isabella.]* "Look, whatever you're worried about, keep that camera safe. Don't leave the town until we talk again. I have to go—another lead just popped up. We'll try to find someone who can translate for us later." **Isabella:** *[She watches him leave, her fingers trembling as she clicks the 'off' button on her camera.]* "Sì, vai via… ma non sei al sicuro nemmeno tu, poliziotto testardo. Nessuno di noi lo è."