just pretend.

45.

Jisung scanned the street behind them again, heart pounding as he spotted Wooyoung’s familiar car three vehicles back. A cold shiver ran down his spine as he mumbled, “He’s still following.” The tension in the car thickened, as if the very air around them had grown heavier. Jisung glanced out the window, watching rows of neatly parked cars flash by, passengers moving about – couples walking hand in hand, families wrangling kids, groups of teenagers laughing as they entered the mall. Everything looked so normal, yet his world felt anything but. “Should we split up?”, Jisung asked, the hint of desperation seeping into his voice. Minju shook his head firmly. “No”, he replied, pulling into a parking spot between two bulky family vans. The cars acted as a temporary shield, hiding them from view for a few precious moments. “We’re going to hurry upstairs, buy some new hoodies – something bright, something that stands out so he doesn’t expect it’s us. Then we’ll find the busiest restaurant, order food to go, and blend in with the crowd. We’ll also grab caps to cover our hair.” Minju's voice was steady, but the intensity in his eyes betrayed the gravity of the situation. Jisung felt his throat tighten, he knew his brother had done this before and that fact made his heart clench painfully. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how hard it was for his brother to always be on the run, always hiding and scared of being found. “And after that?”, he asked with a small voice, throwing a glance over his shoulder. “We leave the mall on foot”, Minju continued, laying out the plan as calmly as if they were discussing a casual errand. “We’ll walk a few miles, stick to busy streets, and keep our heads low. Once we’re far enough, we’ll find a place to hide until one of your friends can come pick us up. I’ll call Jiho to get the car later.” Jisung nodded quickly, his mind already racing ahead. “We can call Hyunjin and Chan”, he offered, his thoughts scattered as they climbed out of the car, locking it behind them. They sprinted toward the stairwell, the sound of their hurried footsteps echoing in the enclosed space. The sharp squeal of tires in the parking lot sent a wave of panic surging through Jisung’s chest. He didn’t need to look back to know that Wooyoung had stopped his car, ready to give chase. “We don’t have much time”, Minju muttered under his breath as they bounded up the stairs, taking them two at a time. “He’ll check the restrooms first, but we’ll head straight for the clothing store. Grab whatever hoodies you can, hide in the changing rooms. We’ll regroup once we’re out of sight.” Jisung’s heart was racing, his breath coming in shallow bursts as they reached the top of the stairs and emerged into the crowded mall. The bright lights and bustling crowds made everything feel surreal, like they were trapped in some kind of twisted dream. But the constant awareness of Wooyoung just a step behind them grounded him in cold, hard reality. There was no time to hesitate. Inside the clothing store, Minju leaned in close. “You grab the hoodies. I’ll get masks and caps.” Jisung gave a sharp nod and darted off toward the shelves, his eyes scanning the room even as he moved. He spotted a section lined with hoodies and quickly grabbed a light blue one and a dark green one, their colors chosen to blend in without drawing too much attention. His pulse pounded in his ears as he hurried toward the changing rooms, weaving between racks of clothes and keeping his head down. Every shadow, every movement in his periphery made his heart leap, and the overwhelming fear that Wooyoung could appear any second nagged at him. He reached the changing rooms, barely able to catch his breath. The mirrored walls reflected his anxious expression back at him, and he found himself wishing he could simply disappear into the glass. Holding the hoodies tightly in his arms, Jisung slid into one of the stalls, locking the door behind him. His fingers trembled as he hung the clothes on the hook, ears straining to catch any sound that might indicate Wooyoung’s arrival. Time felt like it was stretching, slowing down in those few moments. He could hear the faint voices of other shoppers outside, oblivious to the danger lurking just beneath the surface of their peaceful afternoon. All he could think about was getting out of there safely, without Wooyoung spotting them.