L U C I D || A Dreamcatcher AU

2 | Genesis

6 YEARS AGO

Yoohyeon grabbed items off the shelf delicately and stuffed them as silently as she could into
her backpack. Cup noodles, chips, bread, drinks. She needed them.

Handong maintained a lookout for passersby, occasionally glancing at her locked screen, pretending that she was waiting for a friend outside the minimart so as to not seem suspicious to anyone who bothered to look. She was anxious, panicky, downright barely functioning. Goosebumps rose on her fair skin, as if on cue. Cold sweat littered her body. She felt as if her heart was on the verge of leaping out of her chest, bolting towards the busy road and eventually being struck by a passing car and smashed to smithereens. Her stomach felt extremely queasy as if she had eaten expired food, and felt as if someone was gradually sucking the life out of her.

They did not have a contingency plan should things go awry. Yoohyeon was confident, but Handong was far from that. She thought she might possibly have heart failure or collapse, hitting her head in the process, resulting in brain damage. Why did she get herself into this? She hated this feeling but just couldn't shake it off. What if something goes wrong? What if we are caught? , she thought. They would be sent to jail, not even a girls' home for they were legal, and Handong's dreams of a future career as a doctor would fly right out the window, never coming back.

Maybe I should get out of here, she contemplated. Handong knew that Yoohyeon would be just fine on her own. After all, Yooheyon was experienced, so why would the professional need an amateur to stand guard? I'm just a burden, Handong thought to herself. Besides, should she end up passing out, she would attract a crowd and things could go bad. If she left quietly, nothing would happen. It would be a win-win situation. She would be able to live out her life to its full potential, and Yoohyeon could too.

Yoohyeon will be fine on her own, Handong convinced herself repeatedly. She peeked and spotted Yoohyeon at the third row of the store, still busy choosing items. Remaining partially obscured by the wall, she tried to get Yoohyeon's attention by waving at her but to no avail. She was tempted to whisper Yoohyeon's name loudly, but she realised that it could jeopardise the whole situation. Nevermind, it's okay. It's okay, it'll be okay, she'll be okay, i'll be okay. Handong was sure that Yoohyeon wouldn't notice her absence as she was so concentrated on looting. "You're such a coward, no one likes cowards." Yoohyeon's words echoed in her head like a broken record. Handong wasn't a coward, she was just playing safe. That's what she wanted to convince herself of anyways.

Handong then stuffed her phone into her skirt pocket and walked away as calmly as she could, even though she felt like her legs would give way and she'll be crumbling to the ground any second.

-

Yoohyeon did not notice Handong's absence.

She kept stuffing as many items as her bag could fit at lightning speed, moving on from what she needed to what she wanted: beer, lighters, gum.

It was a new store which had just been opened. New stores, such as this one, rarely installed surveillance cameras so shortly after it's opening, making them the prime targets of shoplifters. Furthermore, the cashier on duty was a young girl who looked no more than sixteen. Last Yoohyeon checked, the girl was engrossed in a seemingly intense phone game, not even sparing her a glance. A gamer herself, Yoohyeon was sure that could get away with this, and so she took her time getting the extras. She glanced at her watch. It had been 10 minutes. Maybe she could stay just a while more, which would allow her to grab more items while the girl was distracted. Handong was looking out for her anyway.