The secret of the Blue Star Circus

Lena had always dreamed of visiting a real travelling circus. One day, when a huge blue tent with the sign "Blue Star Circus" was set up on the outskirts of their town, she was first in line to buy a ticket. Behind her was her best friend, Philip - a buddy from cycling trips and building cardboard castles together. That evening, the air smelled of candyfloss, popcorn and something else - something hard to define, like magic. Lena and Philip sat down in the front row. The lights went out, loud music played and colourful clowns, acrobats juggling with fire and even dancers with trained parrots entered the arena. However, everyone was most impressed by Mr Mirabeau, an illusionist in a coat embroidered with silver stars. In front of the audience, he was able to conjure a rabbit from an empty hat, turn balls into a flock of golden butterflies and make apples levitate. But Lena noticed something strange - when Mr Mirabeau looked in her direction, he winked as if in agreement, and there was a blue piece of paper in her lap, although she was sure she hadn't put anything there. She unrolled it discreetly: "Learn the secret of the circus. Meet me at midnight at the performers' entrance. Don't go in alone!". Lena felt a thrill of excitement. After the performance, she slipped away with Philip to the back of the tent. Under the cover of the moonlight, amidst the smell of sawdust and the quiet sounds of circus animals, they walked cautiously, trying not to give away their presence. When they reached the performers' entrance, they heard quiet voices and strange rustling sounds, as if someone was moving something heavy on the ground. At that moment, the door swung open with a quiet creak and a mysterious silhouette in a blue Mirabeau coat appeared. - 'You are punctual,' whispered the magician. - 'Be careful, because there are things happening this night that you can't see in the spotlight...' At the same moment, a crash sounded from behind the tent and the sound of footsteps reached them. Was it someone from the circus troupe? Or was it... something else entirely?