**Chapter 2: Behind the Mask**

The dimly lit corridors of the venue seemed to stretch on forever as Rumi and Zoey made their way to the after-party, the thumping bass of the music growing louder with each step. They had just finished a blistering set, and the adrenaline was still coursing through their veins. As they turned a corner, they stumbled upon Mira, her eyes fixed on a small, intricately carved wooden box in her hand. "What's that?" Zoey asked, her curiosity piqued, as she sidled up beside Mira. Mira's gaze flickered up, her expression guarded. "Just something I found backstage," she said, her voice low and even. Rumi's eyes narrowed, her gaze locked onto the box. "Where did you find it?" she asked, her tone measured. Mira hesitated, her eyes darting between Rumi and Zoey. "I don't know. It was just there, on a table. I think it might have been left behind by one of the roadies." Zoey's eyes widened as she reached out to take the box from Mira. "Let me see!" Mira's grip tightened, her fingers closing around the box like a vice. "No," she said, her voice firm. "I don't think that's a good idea." Rumi's eyes flashed with concern as she stepped forward, her hand on Zoey's arm. "Mira, what's going on?" she asked, her voice soft. Mira's gaze dropped, her shoulders sagging beneath the weight of her jacket. "I don't know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just have a feeling about this. A bad one." The air seemed to vibrate with tension as the three friends stood there, the music and laughter of the after-party fading into the background. Zoey's eyes locked onto Mira's, her expression serious. "We're in this together, Mira. Whatever it is, we'll face it together." Mira's gaze flickered up, her eyes searching. For a moment, Rumi thought she saw something there, something that looked almost like...fear. But then, Mira's mask slipped back into place, and she nodded, her expression resolute. As they made their way back to the party, the wooden box safely tucked away in Mira's jacket pocket, Rumi couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that unblinking eyes were trained on them from the shadows. She glanced around, her senses on high alert, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. That was, until she caught a glimpse of a figure lurking in the crowd, a figure with piercing green eyes that seemed to bore into her very soul. Rumi's heart skipped a beat as she felt a shiver run down her spine. She nudged Zoey, her eyes locked onto the figure. Zoey followed her gaze, her expression puzzled. "Who's that?" she asked, her voice low. Rumi's eyes never left the figure. "I don't know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I think we're about to find out."