Great! We continue the **mini-adventure "The Shadow of the Old Theater"**, this time full of a dramatic confrontation with a mysterious shadow and the discovery of its true identity. --

# **Chapter 34

Confrontation in the Shadows**

Jakub slowly moved toward a dark corner of the chamber. His heart was pounding, each breath seemed louder than it actually was. Argo tensed his muscles, ready to pounce, his sense of smell strained to its limits. The dog sensed danger even before the human could see it.

The shadow moved suddenly, emerging from behind the old curtains. This time, Jakub could see more—the tall silhouette of a man in a black jacket, his face partially covered by a scarf, his hands clasped in a manner suggesting readiness for battle. His eyes gleamed in the light of Jakub's flashlight.

"Who are you?" Jakub asked, trying to remain calm. “Someone who knows this theater better than you,” the shadow replied, his voice a low whisper. “And one who guards the secrets you shouldn’t reveal.”

The dog growled, and the shadow made a quick move, moving along the box of documents. Jakub approached, weapon at the ready, determination smoldering in his eyes.

“I don’t want to hurt you, but if you reach for those documents, it will be your last move,” the commissioner warned.

The shadow stopped and suddenly extended his hand toward Jakub, throwing a heavy metal pipe in his direction. Argo immediately leaped forward, grabbing it with his teeth and pulling it away from the commissioner. The shadow seized the moment and tried to disappear into a narrow passageway leading deeper into the maze.

“I won’t let you escape!” Jakub shouted, following him.

The narrow corridor became a trap. The shadow jumped over crates, knocking over boxes, trying to delay the pursuit. Argo ran right beside Jakub, sniffing, sensing the intruder's every step. Finally, the shadow reached a dead end, and Jakub approached slowly, weapon ready.

"The truth will come out," the commissioner said, "and you won't be able to hide it anymore."

The shadow lowered his hood, revealing his face. Jakub blinked in surprise. It was one of the former actors who had worked in the theater years ago. The man now had worn features, his eyes filled with obsession, and his hands trembled not so much with fear as with tension.

"Everything I do is for the truth!" the shadow exclaimed. "I tried to reveal what Radecki covered up… but they… they don't want anyone to know!"

Jakub looked at Argo. The dog was still ready to attack, but he sensed the tension of the situation—this was no ordinary criminal. This man was a prisoner of his own obsession, driven by fear and anger toward those who hurt others.

"I'll help you," Jakub said slowly. "But you have to do exactly as I say. I'll take you to the police station, and the documents will be safe."

Shadow hesitated, hesitation and fear filling his eyes. Argo lowered his ears, observing the man's reaction. After a moment, he lowered his head and lowered his hands.

"Okay..." he whispered. "Just don't let them destroy everything I managed to save."

Jakub held out his hand, and the man took it. The dog sniffed around, making sure no more threats lurked in the tunnel.

Then Jakub noticed more markings on the walls, leading deeper underground.

"This is only the beginning," he said quietly. "The theater holds many more secrets. But at least now we're not alone."

Shadow, now revealed as a former actor and witness to the crime, agreed to help Jakub and Argo uncover the full truth about the abandoned theater. Together, they searched the remaining basements and corridors, finding more documents, clues, and evidence of past crimes.

The city seemingly slept, but in its basements a new story was beginning—a dark one, full of secrets, and above all, justice, which Jacob, Argo, and their new ally were to bring to an end.

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