Whispers.
They all whispered about the horrors that had been unleashed by the American military, the damage that had been done to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He heard them. He heard every single word, whether or not he actually wanted to hear them. They were there, tucked into the back of his mind and playing on an endless loop.
He wanted them to stop their talking. They had no idea how much their words hurt, especially when they thought he wasn't there to hear them to say the awful things they were saying.
He couldn't have known what was going to happen. He really couldn't have, the decisions had been made without his knowledge, yet they blamed him all the same.
He saw the forced smiles. They were always forced anymore.
When was the last time he had truly smiled with happiness? He didn't think anyone knew anymore.
And all because the damage had been done at some point or another. As nations, they were used to spreading misinformation and lies, believing one thing to be more true than anything else.
The whispers never stopped.
Author's Notes: Bonus interlude next week, then Chapter 13, Part 1.
Thanks for reading!