Read & Listen: The Vanishing Act at Midnight Carnival, A Crime Story

 

Victor Enigma created with AI Image Generator

by Isabel Baiocchi, Valerio Carpentieri, Luca Di Giannantonio and Francesco Elviretti

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The audience was astonished: during the Midnight Carnival’s grand opening night the renowned illusionist Victor Enigma had vanished into thin air while he was performing his greatest trick. In the beginning everyone had thought that it was part of the trick, but as soon as the news of Victor Enigma's disappearance had spread, the atmosphere at the Midnight Carnival had shifted to confusion and apprehension. Spectators who had wondered at the illusionist's skills were now left puzzled, trying to comprehend the unexpected turn of events.

Rumors began to circulate, linking the enigmatic illusionist to the notorious criminal of that century, Paul Skivoski. Whispers of a hidden identity and a carefully made up story took place among the Midnight Carnival-goers. The grand opening night had transformed into a scene of mystery and intrigue.

As news of Paul Skivoski's alleged martial arts past and the fears of a crime spread through the audience, panic and apprehension gripped the carnival-goers. Concerned about the safety of themselves and others, individuals began alerting the authorities. The fear of a possible looming genocide added a layer of unpredictability to the situation, leaving everyone on edge and uncertain about what might happen next. The carnival, meant for joy and entertainment, was canceled, with the audience caught amidst an unfolding mystery.

The next day, given the seriousness of the situation, local authorities called the best detective in the area, Renée Roux. She carefully analyzed every detail she had, swearing that she would stop that criminal from spreading terror across the world, and that she would lock him up once and for all.

She understood that in the late 19th century, Skivoski had spread fear and terror among the peasants of his small Russian town. Witnesses had spoken of burglary, robbery, and even murder associated with his name. The details of his crimes were enough to send chills down the spines of those who heard them.

Fleeing from the accusations and the law, Skivoski had supposedly escaped to England, seeking refuge in a new land. Sources suggested that his criminal activities were not isolated incidents but rather connected to a bigger criminal association. A feud within a member of this organization had forced him to leave his homeland hastily and to leave behind the enigmatic persona of Victor Enigma, leaving behind a trail of unresolved conflicts.

From these pieces of information, Renée made deductions about the mystery she was trying to solve, understanding that Paul could have used the illusionist persona to lead an ordinary life in London while looking for the best occasion to get revenge. All that was left to discover was who was going to face that dangerous criminal and where he was hiding.

The detective's investigation led her to a mysterious figure from Paul's past, a crime lord known as The Shadow, of whom it was known that he had recently moved to London for some ‘personal business.’ This figure had a long-standing feud with Paul, dating back to a time when both were immersed in the foggy world of illicit activities.

The detective pieced together the threads of the mystery, realizing that the climax awaited her in the heart of London's underworld. Armed with determination and a keen sense of justice, Renée set out to unravel the remaining secrets and bring the elusive illusionist and his nemesis out of the shadows, into the harsh light of truth.

So she quickly left her study, convinced and determined about what she was doing, without warning anyone. She entered the underground; there was absolutely nobody as it was 3 am. She hid behind a garbage bin, waiting for the two criminals to face each other. Time flew, but the tension in the air made the time feel solid.

Finally, the two criminals showed up. They stared at each other, and The Shadow said, “You thought you could escape me, Paul? They have taught you not to run away from problems, to face your responsibility, haven't they?” Skivoski answered, “If you don't leave me alone, you will end up like your daughter.” “Don't you ever dare to mention her, you bastard! You're the one who got her murdered,” the mysterious figure yelled back, pulling a knife from his pocket and pointing it towards Paul's neck. Renée skipped a beat, starting to fear what she was going to witness.

A fight between them started. Paul managed to disarm The Shadow, sending the knife across the cold pavement. As the two men locked their eyes, a silent understanding passed between them, a recognition of shared pain and the consequences of choices made. The Shadow retreated into the darkness, disappearing like a phantom. Paul, left all alone, sank to his knees, the weight of his past pressing heavily on his shoulders.

Renée approached cautiously. As the first light of dawn began to filter through the cracks, the detective's face was kissed by a gentle sun, and standing in front of the criminal, she said, “You want this to be over too, don't you?” Paul raised his head to meet Renée's sharp green eyes. The weak light of the underground caught the sparkle of his tears streaming down his face. Without adding a word, Renée extended a hand, a gesture of unexpected compassion. Paul, still on his knees, accepted the offered support, allowing himself to be pulled up from the cold pavement.

As they emerged from the underground, the detective knew that duty called, so she warned the police immediately. With a heavy heart, she stared at the police taking him to the nearest station. Sorrow persisted in the air, a palpable reminder of the thin line between right and wrong, justice and compassion.

The detective, overwhelmed by the weight of the choices made, walked back to her office contemplating what was really right to do in a world where shadows and light coexisted.