"Of course I did," Erik says shaking his head sadly.

"I heard you, but I did not believe you that weak. I thought, If I could become anything good, then so could you. Had I listened to myself the night I got these"--in the blink of an eye, he's moved to have his back bared to Pyotr, naked scars on display--"I wouldn't be here now to admonish you. Look hard, and tell me you still think I could not understand your pain?"