Run: 2026-05-20-01KS263QC70RTWDKCJ1PEBNEN7

**Melanie:** *(staring intently at the digital screen of her camera, her fingers trembling slightly as she scrolls through the photos. She sighs, a look of deep distress clouding her face.)* **Hunter:** *(approaches her table, pulling out a badge and giving her a brief, professional nod)* "Excuse me, ma'am. Detective Hunter. I'm investigating the disappearances here in Alborn. Word is you were taking pictures near the old apple orchard last night around the time the miller's son went missing. Did you see anything unusual?" **Melanie:** *(looks up, her eyes wide with anxiety, clutching her camera tightly to her chest)* "Oh, Gott sei Dank... Ein Polizist. Bitte, Sie müssen mir helfen. Ich war im Wald, um das Abendlicht zu fotografieren, und... und ich habe etwas Schreckliches gesehen. Da war ein Mann, aber er war nicht allein. Jemand hat ihn gezerrt!" **Hunter:** *(frowns, crossing his arms and looking completely bewildered)* "Whoa, hold on. Slow down. I don't speak... whatever language that is. German? Do you speak any English? Look at my badge. Police. Did you see the missing boy?" **Melanie:** *(shaking her head rapidly, tears welling in her eyes, pointing desperately at her camera screen)* "Ich verstehe Sie nicht! Bitte, hören Sie mir zu! Es war so dunkel, aber mein Blitz... mein Blitz hat ein Gesicht erfasst. Da war ein Schatten zwischen den Apfelbäumen. Es war keine normale Entführung. Der Mann... er hat sich überhaupt nicht gewehrt, als wäre er in Trance gewesen!" **Hunter:** *(sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration)* "Look, lady, I want to help you, but you're giving me absolutely nothing here. *Trance*? Was that 'trance'? Is someone hurt? Let me see the camera. Just show me the pictures." *(He gestures toward her camera, reaching out a hand.)* **Melanie:** *(pulls the camera back instinctively, misunderstanding his gesture as trying to confiscate her evidence)* "Nein! Nein, Sie dürfen sie nicht einfach wegnehmen! Das ist mein einziger Beweis! Jemand beobachtet mich seitdem. Ich habe Angst, nach Hause zu gehen. Verstehen Sie mich denn nicht? Es ist hier in der Stadt nicht sicher!" **Hunter:** *(throwing his hands up slightly)* "I'm not trying to steal your camera, ma'am. I just need to see if you have any evidence. We have a kid missing, and time is running out. Just... *show* me. *Zeigen*? Is that a word?" **Melanie:** *(wipes a tear from her cheek, looking utterly helpless)* "Bitte... Ich will doch nur helfen. Warum versteht mich denn niemand? In Alborn geht etwas sehr Seltsames vor sich. Diese Menschen verschwinden nicht einfach so..." **Hunter:** *(Before he can respond, his phone jolts to life in his pocket, buzzing loudly. He pulls it out, reads the screen, and his face hardens.)* "Damn it." *(He looks back at Melanie, speaking quickly)* "Look, I have to go. They found another abandoned truck down by the creek. You stay here, okay? Stay in the cafe. I'll find someone who can translate." **Melanie:** *(staring at him, her voice quiet and shaking, realizing he is leaving her)* "Gehen Sie nicht... Bitte lassen Sie mich hier nicht allein im Dunkeln." **Hunter:** *(backing away, gesturing for her to stay put)* "Just stay here. Safe. I'll be back." *(He turns and rushes out the door of the cafe.)*