"We want to talk to you," said Elise. "Time to listen now. Wake up." Bill jolted awake. He recognized what was happening.
"Leave me alone," Bill whispered.
"But you need us, Bill," called Henry. "You won't desert us, will you?"
Elise spoke again, her voice soft and cajoling. "We can help listen."
"What do you want from me this time," Bill asked.
"Just for you to trust us," said Henry. "You know you need us."
"And we love you, Bill. We're the only ones who understand," Elise said.
"But how can you love me if you torment me so?" asked Bill.
"We only want you to love us back. We are your only friends, and we just want you to trust us," Henry said.
"You invade my dreams, my every thought. I can never be alone when you two are around. You ruined my life," Bill said.
Close to tears, Elise sadly said, "That hurts us so much, Bill. We don't do anything to you. We just keep you company. All we ask is for you to accept we won't go away."
"Please take us back," Henry pleaded. "There was a time when you welcomed us, why can't it be like that now?"
"I.I don't know," said Bill. "It's just different now. Real friends wouldn't get me in such trouble."
"We are your only friends, Bill," Elise said. "The only ones that you have. You must accept us for who we are."
There was a rap on the small window of the padded room. The night janitor called in to Bill. "Hey, buddy, you better stop talking to yourself if you ever want a day pass out of this nuthouse." But Bill had finally given in to the voices in his head, and was too engaged in his conversation to hear the real world break through.