Chapter 3 - The Splash of Panic
Driven by pure survival instinct, Jack didn't look back to inspect the damage. He scrambled off his chair, his boots slipping on the muddy bank as he sprinted headfirst into the shallow river. He splashed wildly into the cool water until it reached his knees, then dropped into a low crouch, ducking his head and wrapping his arms tightly over his dark wavy hair to shield himself from the falling debris.
"OH MY GOD! WHAT THE F— WAS THAT?!" Jack screamed, his voice cracking with a mix of utter shock and hilariously unrefined terror.
The heavy thud of falling soil slowly subsided, replaced by the gentle lap of river water against his soaked blue jeans. The dust cloud drifted lazily across the meadow under the afternoon sun. Slowly, trembling from head to toe, Jack lifted his head above the waterline, his wet shirt clinging to his chest as he stared back at the steaming crater that had just ruined his quiet afternoon.
