"No, you don't," says Charles, prying into his friend's mind without invitation. (Is he still a friend, even after this? Yes, of course, but that they don't see eye to eye on so important a matter will surely drive them apart rather than bring them together. Neither of them got to see the aftermath of the events on the beach, though only Charles knows the details between the two of them -- or some, at any rate.)

He steps forward, his feet moving like lead across the floor.

"Erik."