"Guess who's here, Banana Kid? It's JJ - turns out, instead of sleeping, he's running into people and knocking them over."
Despite that not being his preferred introduction, JJ simply took it and let her do her thing. Banana Kid, who was sitting on the bed, smiled lightly and waved at him, but didn't say anything. Carrie joined him on the bed and Mikey sat on the ground, and JJ sat next to him.
"As I was discussing before," Carrie seemingly picked up from where she left off before JJ got here. "In order to avoid bad habits like paranoia, try to develop good habits instead. There are lots of activities that we can do to get your mind off things, JJ, and we'll be glad to help you if you need it. I was just giving Mikey tips on how he could help distract you."
"I only need one thing to distract me." JJ said.
"Really?" Carrie asked.
"Yes."
"Well, what is it? If you feel comfortable telling."
"I just need Mikey."
"To do what?"
"Be with me. That's it."
"That's a good start-"
"It's not a start, that's just it. All I need is for me and Mikey to be together, alone, with nobody to disturb us. That's all I want to happen, until we all die."
"Uh..."
Carrie flashed Mikey a "do you know what he's talking about" look, but Mikey only shrugged in response.
"Don't let your fears get to you," He attempted to comfort JJ by rubbing his back, but it didn't seem to phase him. "Nobody is going to die; we're safe here."
"I know what's going to happen." JJ spoke hoarsely, looking around to make sure all three of them were paying attention. "I had a dream last night, and it told me everything I needed to know. In twenty days, the killer clowns will find this base and kill everyone. A sign was given to me; a number carved into my hand. That number was twenty, and that is how long it will be until we're found."
There was a thick tension in the house now. Carrie fiddled with her fingers for a moment, before suggesting something: "Perhaps it was nothing more than a dream. Usually, the things we're thinking of make way into what we see when we fall asleep. If you went to sleep paranoid about the killer clowns breaking into this base, then it's very likely you'd dream about something related to that."
"I know it wasn't just a dream," JJ presisted. "It was different than my usual dreams. I was aware that I was dreaming, and everything around me felt real and clear. The pain of my hand being carved into felt real as well."
"Sometimes dreams can be like that." Carrie continued trying to reason with him. "Just, try getting yourself into the mindset that we're safe, and nothing can find us, let alone get in here. Once you're relaxed, then maybe you'll feel better enough to move past your fears."
"I can't. Not when I know this."
"There's no way to confirm that it's the truth, though."
Just then, Carrie noticed Banana Kid looking out the window. Her, JJ, and Mikey did the same thing, and saw a bunch of people gathering around. Most likely desprate to leave this topic behind, but also because of curiosity, Carrie suggested they all go see what the fuss was about. Outside, the residents were gathered around a giant steel vault door. However, that wasn't what they were focusing on - they were all looking above them. A man standing a certain distance away from them, holding a megaphone, and he adressed the people in front of him.
"That noise you're all hearing," He began. "I think we all know what it is. It was mentioned that this new version of killer clowns are improved and twice as capable, so I believe that they've already found us. However, this obsidian is tough to break, so it might take a while for them to get in. I'm assuming it would take about-"
