A night at the Phoenix Circus

The city did not sleep that evening. The colourful lights of the Phoenix Circus reflected in the puddles in the old market square, while electric lanterns led crowds of people towards a huge tent whose roof seemed to reach the sky. Lena, Michal and Bartek, three friends from the neighbourhood, couldn't believe they had finally scored the coveted tickets for the night's 'grown-up' show. It was going to be very different from the usual children's show. Waiting for them at the entrance was a figure in a shiny black cloak. Her face was covered by a golden phoenix mask and her voice was like honey: 'Only those who dare to look closely will see true wonders.' Inside, they were greeted by a feast of colours and sounds: fire swallowers, acrobats gliding high above the audience's heads, mimes with movements so fluid it was hard to believe they were flesh and blood. Magical confetti fell from the ceiling every now and then, and the smell of popcorn and incense mingled with the sweet hint of popcorn. Lena noticed that some of the spectators looked strangely familiar. One of the fire swallowers had a star-shaped tattoo identical to her former neighbour. Bartek noticed that one of the acrobats looked at him for a moment and smiled in agreement. At some point, the lights dimmed. The director of the circus appeared in the middle of the arena - a woman with grey hair braided into a thick braid, dressed in a dark red tailcoat. She raised her hands and her voice flowed like an incantation: 'Dear audience, tonight we have selected from among you a few daredevils who will have to solve the riddle of the Phoenix. Do you dare to step behind the curtain of shadows?' The spotlights turned to Lena, Michal and Bartek. The audience wailed with delight and the three friends felt a cool shiver on the back of their necks. The curtain swung open slowly, revealing a dark corridor interspersed with lights. All three looked at each other, uncertain of what awaited them on the other side....