Run: 2026-09-03-01M1KZGBXSKR64YFYTMTG95FJZ

Hunter: "Excuse me, ma’am. I’m Detective Hunter. I need to ask you a few questions about the disappearance last night. You were taking photographs near the orchard. Did you see anything unusual?" Melanie: (shaken, hugging her camera) "Entschuldigung, ich verstehe nicht. Ich spreche kein Englisch. Bitte… ich habe Angst. In meinem Foto—" (I’m sorry, I don’t understand. I don’t speak English. Please… I’m afraid. In my photo—) Hunter: (confused) "Whoa, okay. English? German? I don’t speak German." (He points to the camera and mimes taking a picture.) "Camera. Pictures. Last night. Please." Melanie: "Polizei? Ich habe nichts getan! Ich habe nur Landschaften fotografiert. Aber sehen Sie—der Mann ist nicht mehr auf dem Bild." (Police? I haven’t done anything! I only photographed landscapes. But look—the man is no longer in the picture.) (She turns the camera so he can see the screen.) Hunter: (leaning in, pointing at the screen) "This is the north orchard? You took this at the apple festival? Did you see this man?" (He points to a figure on the screen, then to his own eyes, then holds up his phone with a photo of the missing person.) "Him. There. Gone?" Melanie: "Ja, der Mann. Er stand dort, am Rand des Waldes. Er hat sich umgedreht, und dann… ein grelles Licht. Ich habe geblinzelt, und er war verschwunden." (Yes, the man. He stood there, at the edge of the woods. He turned around, and then… a bright light. I blinked, and he was gone.) Hunter: "A bright light? Did you see a vehicle? A truck? Anyone with him?" (He mimes gripping a steering wheel.) "Humming? Like a machine? Did you hear a name?" Melanie: "Ein Licht, ja. Kein Auto. Nur ein Summen. Dann Stille. Ich habe niemanden sonst gesehen. Bitte, ich möchte meine Freundin anrufen." (A light, yes. No car. Only a humming. Then silence. I didn’t see anyone else. Please, I want to call my friend.) Hunter: (frustrated, but gentler) "Okay. I need you to come with me. Station. Interpreter. Someone who speaks German. Understand? Wait." (He points to her, makes a walking gesture with his fingers, then points firmly to the floor.) "Stay. Here. Do not leave." Melanie: "Ich soll mitkommen? Aber ich habe Angst. Ich verstehe nicht, was Sie sagen. Bitte, nicht so schnell." (I should come with you? But I’m afraid. I don’t understand what you’re saying. Please, not so fast.) (Hunter’s phone rings. He holds up a finger.) Hunter: (into phone) "Hunter. … What? … Another one? Near the north orchard? … Damn it. I’m on my way." (He lowers the phone and looks at Melanie.) "I have to go. Something’s happened. Stay here. Do not leave town. I’ll send someone who speaks German. Wait for me." Melanie: (half-standing, clutching her camera) "Warten Sie! Bitte gehen Sie nicht! Ich habe Angst, dass er zurückkommt." (Wait! Please don’t go! I’m afraid he’ll come back.) Hunter: (backing toward the door, phone to his ear) "Yeah, I’m leaving now. Have the cruiser ready." (He points at her once more, then exits.) "Stay right there."