no subject

[ It was really Charles. There was no mistaking him once he'd turned. He looked older than Erik recalled, more tired. It made him wonder if the stress of leadership on his own had done the same to him. Since parting, he imagined they'd meet again, perhaps in some heated ideological battle. This didn't ever cross his mind.

All the things he'd rehearsed, the things he thought would make him sound just and righteous fled from his mind. Erik blinked slowly, wetting his lips. It took a moment for him to tear his eyes from wheelchair and back to his former friend's face. ]

So it's true. [ He nodded toward the chair to explain what he meant. ]