[ WP ] `` She used to be my best friend . ''

`` She used to be my best friend.'' Avery's voice was hoarse and heavy. 
 
 The silence in the room was broken only by the ticking clock behind his head, seemingly growing louder as the silence drew on. The man sat across from Avery, touching a gnawed pencil to his lips. 
 
 `` And what is she now?'' He asked, softly. 
 
 `` The same thing she is to you, I imagine.'' 
 
 `` Well, I do n't think that's true. She's your best friend, not mine.'' 
 
 Avery looked away. `` Not anymore.'' 
 
 `` Would you prefer to talk about something else for a while?'' 
 
 *Tick. Tick. Tick. * 
 
 `` No.'' 
 
 `` Why do you think she's no longer your best friend?'' 
 
 Avery shifted in his chair. The leather grew warm and sticky on his arms, and his legs were beginning to go numb. 
 
 `` Is n't it obvious?'' He replied. 
 
 `` Not necessarily.'' 
 
 *Tick. Tick. Tick. * 
 
 The man laid the pencil on the table, and leaned back in his chair, crossing his fingers atop his gut. 
 
 `` I ca n't help if you wo n't talk to me.'' 
 
 `` What is there to talk about?'' Avery grew irritated. 
 
 `` You know what. Her. * 
 
 `` I told you, she's gone. There's no sense arguing about it.'' 
 
 `` Where did she go?'' 
 
 `` I do n't know. She's just gone.'' Avery shifted in his chair again, his sweat sticking to the arm rests. 
 
 `` But you were friends. Should you know what happened to --'' 
 
 `` I told you, I do n't know!'' Avery commanded, slamming his fist on the desk. The lamp flickered, and the man sat there, unmoved. 
 
 *Tick. Tick. Tick. * 
 
 The man reached out and touched a small speaker box on the desk. `` We're done for today, Jill.'' 
 
 Through a film of static a voice replied, `` Yes, Doctor Grossman.'' 
 
 Two men in white entered the room and stood behind Avery. The doctor waved a hand, prompting them to take Avery by each arm and lead him out of the room. 
 
 The doctor clicked on his tape recorder. 
 
 `` Patient has shown some improvement, but still wo n't talk about the incident. It seems he remains under the delusion that Melissa was imaginary. I should find another way to approach the subject.'' 
 
 The speaker buzzed. `` Doctor, they've brought Mister Baker up.'' 
 
 The doctor turned off his recorder, and flipped open another file on the desk. 
 
 `` Send him on in, thanks.''
