[WP] Kim Jong Un dies, and for whatever reason YOU are the new Supreme Leader of North Korea.

I met with a dying man. I had seen the rather hilarious pictures of Kim Jon Un, posing like some horrible fat kid no one likes. My sister once described him as the Supreme Blimp, the child who wanted an eternal birthday party.

As a joke, we often referred to North Korea as “One True Korea,” after some stupid College Humor skit we saw. An anime parody about how powerful and perfect little Kim could be.

But this man was slender, to the point of skeletal. He seemed to have lost his rather careless nature. It seemed strange, to see a man unafraid of dying. He just accepted it, with the same entitlement that he had in health.

There was a white man standing beside Kim. He listened to the rasping words of the Supreme Leader. Then he would ask me questions in a soft, emotionless voice.

“I am Hank, I will be the mouthpiece for the Supreme Leader, Kim,” the man said. He had the same haircut as his leader, making him look awkward and very young. I thought he might be 22. He looked tired, despite his comfortable position.

He would lean in to the Leader, nod his head, then ask me a question. I would then turn to Naoko, translate roughly, and we would answer that way. She was too afraid to answer, so I spoke for her.

“The Leader wishes to know your names,” Hank said.

“Uh… She’s Naoko. I am Mina.” I leaned on Naoko more. I was tired and heavy. “She’s from Japan, I’m American. Does that mean anything? Can we go home now?”

“No one has been looking for you,” Hank said. “And no one will know you are here for some time still. Not until Kim dies.” Hank paused. “Not until Kim passes on to his next form, to join his father.”

I was shocked by the ease in which Hank imparted this information. It was almost like listening to my Mom talk about Jesus. I didn’t believe in the reincarnation of jerks.

“Do you really believe that? That he will—“

“Mina, don’t say things like that. People understand more than you know,” Hank said, his voice suddenly deeply troubled. “We don’t talk badly about anyone of the Royal family. Anyone. It is not worth it.”

“Labor camps?” I asked. “Are we going to be sent there?”

“You won’t. But right now you are not… in any position of power. Niki could be sent and I think you prefer her with you.”

“Naoko,” I corrected. “Why her and not me?”

“Because you are worth more.”

“Why?” I demanded. “Is it because she’s Japanese?”

“It’s because you were the one they were looking for, she was unfortunately dragged along.”

I must have looked confused. Hank said something to the Supreme Leader, who nodded. The attendants in the room, who I had forgotten were there, left. They were no more substantial than the sparse furniture.

Naoko was breathing heavily. She understood only a few words, but seemed to sense she was expendable. Especially when she asked me what Hank meant. I told her the truth, that they had wanted me for some reason.

“Can I go home then?” Naoko asked. “Do we get to go home?”

I tried to stop the hurt from blossoming in my chest. “I don’t know. I hope so.”

Naoko nodded. “I am sorry. I just want to go home.”

“I know.”

Hank seemed to become more human, now that the others were gone. The Supreme Leader was blinking heavily, as if he would fall asleep soon. We waited in silence until he appeared to sleep. It was only then that Hank relaxed his shoulders and let out a sigh.

“I am sorry, it is hard to keep up the—“

He stopped. He moved away from the sleeping “god.” He stretched his long legs, letting the bones pop back into place. He fell down beside us, arranging his limbs in a rather awkward fashion. I could see his wrists were rubbed raw under his plan, traditional Korean clothing.

He was blond, with pale skin and rather elongated features. He wouldn’t be considered handsome by Western standards, but I could see why he would be kept as a bird by someone like Kim. He looked very traditionally male, with the long nose, great height, and blue eyes. His blond hair appeared a bit stiff, as if he had not washed it in a few days.

“As I said, I’m Hank.”

He held out a hand. I took it, though my grip must have been weak.

“Mina and Naoko,” I said. “They took us off the beach in…”

“I know, I heard the whole thing. They were updating us the whole time you travelled. They said you demanded she come with you, when they were going to drown her like a rat.”

I looked at Naoko, who appeared to be falling asleep. I told her to get some sleep, which she did happily, right on the floor. It was a talent she had picked up in the two weeks we were on the ship.

“What do they want with me?” I asked.

“You’re name was drawn.”

/r/WritingPrompts Thread Parent