The silent circle

Unlikely Allies

As the sun peeked through the dense trees surrounding the cabin, Cleo stirred, the uneasy feeling from the night before still gnawing at her. Emily was already up, sitting by the window, watching the morning light filter through the forest. Gabriel and Xavier had fallen asleep near the fireplace, though they hadn't slept much, their nerves too wound up.

Cleo sat up and rubbed her eyes, her thoughts immediately returning to the journal. They hadn't figured much out yet, but she felt like she was getting closer. There were phrases, symbols even, that seemed to connect with something she'd read in the past, something her father had mentioned. But the pieces weren't fitting together yet.

"We should get going," Emily said softly, breaking the silence. "We can't stay here all day."

Cleo nodded, already knowing what Emily meant. They had to go back to school, pretend everything was normal. The Crimson Circle was hunting them, but missing too many classes would draw attention, and the last thing they needed was more eyes on them.

Gabriel stretched as he woke up. "Are we heading out?"

"Yeah," Cleo said. "But one thing's for sure—there's no way we can work on the journal or the Key while we're at school."

Xavier stood up, running a hand through his hair. "We'll have to come back here tonight, after classes. It's the only place we can figure things

"It's the only place we can figure things out without getting caught," Xavier continued, his voice low but firm.

Cleo agreed. "Yeah, but we need to be careful. The Crimson Circle could be watching the school. We can't give anything away while we're there."

Emily glanced back from the window. "Speaking of being careful, there's something we need to talk about before we go back. Ashton."

The mention of his name caught everyone's attention. Ashton Clow, Cleo's cousin, had been acting suspicious lately, though she hadn't mentioned it until now. She didn't know how deep his involvement with the Crimson Circle ran, but she had a feeling they were about to find out.

"Why bring him up now?" Gabriel asked, concerned.

"Because Ashton's going to help us," Emily said, standing and crossing her arms. "He was involved with the Crimson Circle, but he's out. He's already reached out to me, and he wants to explain why he was part of it in the first place."

Cleo's brows furrowed. "Why didn't you say anything before?"

Emily sighed. "I wasn't sure I could trust him. But after last night, I'm starting to think we don't have many options. Ashton knows things about the Crimson Circle, and if he's willing to help, we can use that."

Gabriel and Xavier exchanged looks. "How do we know he won't lead them straight to us?" Xavier asked cautiously. "You said yourself, he was part of their circle."

Cleo considered this, her fingers brushing against the journal again. "We don't have a choice. We need all the information we can get. If Ashton really knows what they're planning, we have to hear him out."

Emily nodded. "I'll set up a meeting with him at school. He promised he'd explain everything."

The group agreed, knowing the risk but also understanding the urgency. They quickly packed their things and left the cabin, heading to school with the knowledge that they'd be no closer to unlocking the journal's secrets until nightfall.

Once they arrived at school, it was clear that keeping a low profile would be harder than expected. The halls buzzed with the usual chatter, but Cleo couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She kept her head down, trying not to attract attention, though her mind raced with thoughts of the Crimson Circle.

By the time lunch arrived, Emily had managed to arrange the meeting with Ashton. They met behind the school, away from prying eyes. Ashton was waiting, leaning against the fence, his expression unreadable.

"Thanks for coming," Emily said, her tone guarded.

Ashton's eyes flicked to Cleo, Gabriel, and Xavier. "I figured you'd want answers." He straightened up, folding his arms across his chest. "Look, I'm not proud of what I've done. I was involved with the Crimson Circle because of my father."

"Your father?" Cleo echoed, surprised. She knew little about Ashton's father, only that he'd disappeared when Ashton was young.

Ashton nodded. "He was one of them—a leader in the Circle. When he died, I was pulled in. They convinced me it was my family's legacy, that I had a duty to continue it. But after a while, I realized they weren't what I thought. They're dangerous, Cleo. They don't care about anything but power, and they'll destroy anyone in their way."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "So why did you leave?"

Ashton hesitated before answering. "Because I found out they're targeting you. You and your father. I didn't know the full extent, but I knew enough to get out. That's why I want to help you."

Cleo felt a chill run down her spine. "What do they want with my father? And why do they care about the Key?"

Ashton's face darkened. "Your father knew things—things about the Circle's true purpose. They believe the Key is the answer to unlocking their full power, but your father kept that from them. He hid it, and they think you know where it is."

Cleo's heart pounded. "But I don't. I barely even know what the Key is."

"That's why they're hunting you," Ashton said. "They believe you have the knowledge your father left behind. If they get the Key, they'll become unstoppable."

Emily's eyes widened. "So the journal... it's all connected, isn't it?"

Ashton nodded grimly. "Everything. Your father left clues to stop them. He was the only one standing in their way, and now it's up to you."

Cleo felt the weight of the situation settle heavily on her shoulders. "So what do we do now?"

"We work together," Ashton said, his voice steady. "I'll help you decipher the journal, find out what the Key is really for, and stop them before it's too late."

Cleo glanced at her friends, then back at Ashton. There was still a flicker of doubt in her mind, but for now, they didn't have any other option. Ashton's knowledge might be the key to stopping the Crimson Circle once and for all.

"Okay," Cleo said, her voice firm. "Let's do this."