The town of Lumen was quiet, except for one night a year when the Solaris Circus would appear under the old factory. Only then did the town turn into a colourful arena full of lights, laughter and whispers. This year a poster proclaimed: "The only show of its kind - tonight at midnight!". Olive, Maks and Lena had never been to a midnight show before. The circus seemed mysterious even in the daytime, and after dark its blue-gold dome glittered like a promise of something extraordinary. They met at the gate that led into the circus grounds. The smells of candyfloss and salty peanuts wafted around, and the sound of a deep drum came from a distance. Everything looked different from the usual festivities: the clowns wore feather masks, the tightrope walkers floated almost unnaturally lightly and the acrobats on stilts strutted like giants from a children's fairy tale. - 'I promise, today we'll go in where no one else can,' whispered Maks, glancing at the big tent with the sign 'For the brave only'. They made their way through the colourful stalls and carousels until they reached the barred entrance backstage. Lena spotted a gap in the fence. Without a word they squeezed through it and found themselves in a completely different world. Behind the curtain there was semi-darkness and silence, only occasionally broken by the quiet laughter or whispering of the artists. Suddenly, they heard someone's footsteps. They hid behind a pile of crates. A woman in a cloak sprinkled with silver dust - the chief illusionist - walked past them. In her hand she held a strangely shining key. - This must be the key to something incredible! - whispered Olivia breathlessly. When the artist turned into a side corridor, Maks followed her without hesitation. The other two friends hesitated for a moment, but followed him, manoeuvring between props and old leather suitcases. Eventually they reached the door behind which the illusionist had disappeared. Through the ajar aperture, they could see her placing the key on a raised platform and lighting hundreds of candles, which themselves began to float in the air. Coloured shadows flashed across the room and the air was suddenly pierced by the sound of a trumpet - heralding the start of the big show. Suddenly, something clattered right behind them. They turned abruptly and saw a figure in a clown mask watching them in complete silence. The clown nodded as a sign for them to follow him. The friends, hearts beating like mad, moved after him, unable to go back....