Run: 2026-07-01-01KWEA1ZFAF0413RG0DT62256T

The late afternoon sun slants through the windows of Alborn's only café. Melanie sits alone at a corner table, scrolling through photos on her camera, her brow furrowed. Hunter enters, spots her, and walks over, pulling out a small notebook. Melanie: *(muttering to herself)* "Das kann nicht sein... das war doch nicht da, oder?" Hunter: "Excuse me, miss. Detective Hunter, Alborn PD. Mind if I ask you a few questions?" Melanie: *(startled, looking up)* "Was? Entschuldigung, ich... ich habe Sie nicht gehört." Hunter: *(pulling out a chair, sitting without waiting for an answer)* "You were out by the old mill yesterday evening, weren't you? Taking pictures?" Melanie: *(shaking her head, flustered)* "Ich verstehe nicht... können Sie das wiederholen? Langsamer, bitte?" Hunter: *(frowning, leaning forward)* "The mill. Yesterday. You had a camera. Ring any bells?" Melanie: *(voice trembling, pointing at her camera screen)* "Da war etwas... eine Gestalt, im Wald. Ich habe es fotografiert, aber ich dachte, es wäre nur ein Schatten." Hunter: *(squinting at her, clearly lost)* "I— I don't understand a word of that. Look, can you just... nod or shake your head? Did you see something strange out there?" Melanie: *(nodding vigorously, eyes wide)* "Ja! Ja, ich habe etwas gesehen. Es hat mir solche Angst gemacht, ich konnte nicht schlafen." Hunter: *(rubbing his temple)* "Okay. Okay, we're getting somewhere. Sort of." *(He gestures at the camera.)* "Can I see that? The pictures?" Melanie: *(hesitant, clutching the camera closer)* "Die Bilder? Ich weiß nicht, ob ich sie zeigen sollte... es ist alles so verschwommen." Hunter: "Ma'am, I really need—" *His phone rings. He glances at the screen, jaw tightening.* Hunter: "Hunter." *(pause)* "Where?" *(pause)* "I'm on my way." *(He stands abruptly, pocketing the phone.)* Hunter: *(to Melanie, firm but rushed)* "Stay right here. Don't go anywhere. I'll send someone who speaks... whatever it is you're speaking. German, right?" Melanie: *(confused, watching him stand)* "Warten Sie— was ist passiert? Wohin gehen Sie?" Hunter: *(already walking away, calling over his shoulder)* "Just—stay put!" *He exits quickly. Melanie watches him go, then looks back down at her camera, troubled.* Melanie: *(quietly, to herself)* "Was ist nur los in dieser Stadt..."