The silent circle

The Obsidian Key

The cold night air clung to Cleo's skin as she and Emily raced through the empty streets, the distant sounds of the school fading behind them. Cleo's pulse thrummed with adrenaline, but her mind was already on the next step. They needed to get to the professor—someone who had worked with her parents and could possibly shed light on the Crimson Circle's real agenda. If they had any chance of understanding what Ashton had been hiding, this was it.

Emily, still winded from their escape, glanced at Cleo as they slowed to a jog. "How do you even know this professor will help us? What if they're involved too?"

Cleo bit her lip. "I don't know for sure. But I've read some of my parents' old letters—before they disappeared. They trusted this person. If anyone knows the truth about why the Crimson Circle came after them, it's him."

Emily hesitated but nodded. "Alright. I trust you. Where do we find him?"

"Professor Aldridge. He teaches ancient history at the university. We'll find him there." Cleo's voice carried a note of desperation. Aldridge was their only lead now, and she wasn't even sure he was still on campus this late.

As they approached the university grounds, the imposing stone buildings loomed ahead, bathed in the soft glow of the streetlamps. The campus was eerily quiet, most students tucked away in their dorms or out for the night. Cleo's thoughts raced. She had to stay focused. The danger was real, and if the Crimson Circle had already infiltrated her life this deeply, they could be anywhere. Watching. Waiting.

Cleo led the way up the steps to the history department, the silence around them amplifying every sound. She hesitated at the heavy wooden doors before pushing them open. The hallway inside was dimly lit, the smell of old books and worn wood greeting them. It was oddly comforting.

"Do you even know where his office is?" Emily whispered, as if afraid of being heard.

"Third floor," Cleo replied, her voice low. "I've seen it listed before, in one of my parents' notes."

They crept down the corridor, the faint buzz of fluorescent lights overhead their only companion. Cleo's heart thudded in her chest as they reached the staircase. She paused, listening for any signs of movement. Nothing.

As they reached the third floor, Cleo spotted the brass nameplate on the office door: *Professor John Aldridge.* Relief washed over her. They had made it. Cleo knocked quietly, praying he would still be here, that he would listen.

After a long moment, the door creaked open. Professor Aldridge stood there, an older man with sharp features softened by his scholarly air. His silver hair was slightly disheveled, and his wire-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. He squinted at them in surprise.

"Cleo Thorne?" His voice held a note of disbelief. "What are you doing here at this hour?"

Cleo swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady. "Professor Aldridge, I need your help. It's about my parents—the Crimson Circle. They... they're coming for me."

His expression changed instantly, the warmth of recognition giving way to cold caution. Aldridge stepped aside, glancing down the hall. "Come inside. Quickly."

Cleo and Emily slipped into the office, the door clicking shut behind them. The room was small, cluttered with books and papers, but the air felt safe compared to the uncertainty outside.

Aldridge took his seat behind a wooden desk, his eyes fixed on Cleo with a mix of concern and suspicion. "What do you know about the Crimson Circle?" he asked, his voice low.

Cleo took a deep breath. "Not enough. But they've been after me ever since my parents faked their deaths. I think they were trying to stop them—my parents were onto something big, something dangerous, and now it's all catching up to me."

Aldridge leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Your parents... they were brilliant. And reckless. I warned them not to dig too deep into the Crimson Circle's history, but they wouldn't listen. They thought they could expose the truth, but they didn't understand how powerful this group truly is."

Cleo's throat tightened. "Then why did they run? What were they so afraid of?"

Aldridge's gaze hardened. "The Crimson Circle is not just a shadow organization—it's been influencing global events for centuries. Your parents discovered a secret that could have shattered the foundations of the Circle. They had to disappear to protect you. But now, it seems their legacy has caught up to you."

Emily, who had been quietly absorbing everything, spoke up. "If they're so powerful, why haven't they... you know... done something already?"

"Because they're careful," Aldridge replied. "They operate from the shadows, pulling strings, erasing threats quietly. The fact that you're still alive means they're watching—waiting to see what you'll do next."

Cleo clenched her fists. "They killed my parents, didn't they? They might not have died in that fire, but the Circle... they're responsible for their disappearance."

Aldridge's expression softened with sympathy. "In a way, yes. Your parents became a threat, and the Circle doesn't tolerate loose ends. But there's more to this story than even I know."

Cleo felt the familiar surge of anger mixed with helplessness. "Then help me. Tell me how to stop them."

Aldridge hesitated, as if weighing his words carefully. "There's only one way to dismantle the Crimson Circle, but it's dangerous. There's an artifact—something ancient, something your parents were close to finding before they vanished. If you can get your hands on it, it might give you the leverage you need."

Cleo blinked, caught off guard. "An artifact? What kind of artifact?"

"It's called the 'Obsidian Key,'" Aldridge said, his voice barely above a whisper. "A relic tied to the Circle's origins. If the legends are true, it holds the power to unlock their most guarded secrets—their identities, their plans, everything."

Emily looked between them, wide-eyed. "So, what... we're going on a treasure hunt now?"

Cleo's mind raced. The Crimson Circle had taken everything from her—her parents, her safety, her life as she knew it. If the Obsidian Key was the answer, if it could help her bring them down, she had no choice.

"Where do we find it?" Cleo asked, her voice filled with a newfound resolve.

Aldridge stood, walking over to a dusty bookshelf. He pulled down a thick, leather-bound book and flipped it open to a page marked with an old map. "It won't be easy. According to what your parents discovered, the Key is hidden in the catacombs beneath the old city. But beware—the Circle has eyes everywhere. If they suspect you're looking for it, they'll do whatever it takes to stop you."

Cleo stared at the map, her heart thudding in her chest. The path ahead was dangerous, but she had no choice. The Crimson Circle had haunted her life for too long. It was time to fight back.

"We'll find it," Cleo said, her voice firm. "And when we do, we'll end this."

Aldridge nodded solemnly. "I hope you do. But remember, Cleo—this isn't just about revenge. It's about survival. If you're going to take on the Crimson Circle, you need to be prepared for what comes next."

Emily grabbed Cleo's hand, squeezing it tightly. "We're with you. All the way."

Cleo took one last look at the map, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders. The Crimson Circle had taken everything from her. Now, it was her turn to take something from them.