Run: 2026-09-01-01M1EPATE1RA8NXNZ0WEFM7JYY

The café smelled of roasted apples and old wood—perfect for Alborn’s annual apple festival preparations, but the air felt heavy. Isabella sat at a corner table, her camera lens pointed down like a shield, her face pale. Hunter approached with his usual no-nonsense stride, trench coat collar turned up against the Midwest chill, and pulled up a chair opposite her. **Isabella:** “Non… non posso credere che sia successo. È tutto così terribile, così confuso. Le persone che conoscevo sono scomparse. Non capisco perché.” Hunter frowned, clearly lost. He leaned in, trying to keep his tone direct. **Hunter:** “I don’t speak Italian—do you speak English? I’m investigating the disappearances in Alborn. Did you see anything unusual recently, maybe near the festival grounds or Main Street?” Isabella’s hands trembled over her camera. She spoke quickly, shaken, her Italian pouring out in a rush. **Isabella:** “Non parlo inglese… sono solo spaventata. Ho la mia macchina fotografica, ma le fotografie non aiutano. Non so cosa sia successo ad Alborn.” Hunter shook his head, confused. **Hunter:** “You’re saying you don’t know English? I don’t know Italian—what are you trying to tell me? Did you take pictures of something suspicious?” **Isabella:** “Il paese non è più sicuro. Ho visto ombre, ma non posso spiegare in inglese. Sono molto confusa… le persone sono andate via e io non so nulla.” Hunter tried once more, his voice tightening with urgency. **Hunter:** “I need answers, not silence. Did anyone follow you? Did you witness anything about the missing people?” **Isabella:** “Per favore, non mi abbandonare. Non capisco perché se ne vanno. Ho paura di guardare le mie foto.” Hunter’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—another alert from the station. **Hunter:** “Hunter—what do you mean another one? … I’ll be right there. Look, I have to go. If you know something about the disappearances, find a translator and get to the station. I can’t help if—” **Isabella:** “Non capisco l’inglese… sono così confusa…” Hunter stood, buttoning his coat. **Hunter:** “Sorry—this isn’t over. Just—find someone who speaks English, okay? Alborn PD—” Before she could say more, he turned and strode out, leaving Isabella alone with her camera and the sudden, terrifying silence of the café. --- ### Voice Sheet Isabella: "Non... non posso credere che sia successo. È tutto così terribile, così confuso. Le persone che conoscevo sono scomparse. Non capisco perché." Hunter: "I don't speak Italian—do you speak English? I'm investigating the disappearances in Alborn. Did you see anything unusual recently, maybe near the festival grounds or Main Street?" Isabella: "Non parlo inglese... sono solo spaventata. Ho la mia macchina fotografica, ma le fotografie non aiutano. Non so cosa sia successo ad Alborn." Hunter: "You're saying you don't know English? I don't know Italian—what are you trying to tell me? Did you take pictures of something suspicious?" Isabella: "Il paese non è più sicuro. Ho visto ombre, ma non posso spiegare in inglese. Sono molto confusa... le persone sono andate via e io non so nulla." Hunter: "I need answers, not silence. Did anyone follow you? Did you witness anything about the missing people?" Isabella: "Per favore, non mi abbandonare. Non capisco perché se ne vanno. Ho paura di guardare le mie foto." Hunter: "Hunter—what do you mean another one? ... I'll be right there. Look, I have to go. If you know something about the disappearances, find a translator and get to the station. I can't help if—" Isabella: "Non capisco l'inglese... sono così confusa..." Hunter: "Sorry—this isn't over. Just—find someone who speaks English, okay? Alborn PD—"