not tonight, fish - 3

finale jumpscare____________________________________________Shrimpo crept back through the trees under a sky smeared with stars, the forest quieter than earlier—like it was holding its breath. The usual buzzing of bugs had dialed down to a polite whisper.

He reached the lake's edge. The water lay dark and still, like it was pretending to be a mirror but too shy to really reflect much. Pulling a smooth stone from his pocket, Shrimpo flicked his wrist and sent it skipping across the surface.

One. Two. Three.

The ripples fizzled out like soda left open too long.

"Stupid lake..." he muttered, low enough that only the crickets might hear—and maybe the fish, if they were paying attention.

He stared out at the quiet water, thinking about the day—Finn's tired laugh, the awkward silences, the way the forest smelled like wet socks and memories. Maybe he should've brought a cupcake.

Shrimpo tugged his jacket tighter and found himself dropping another stone. And then another. Each one bounced along the surface before sinking like it had somewhere better to be.

An owl hooted nearby, sounding like it was trying to make a grand announcement but wasn't quite sure what to say.

Shrimpo didn't reply. He just kept tossing stones, chasing a feeling that floated just beneath the calm.

The lake stayed quiet, maybe a little grumpy.

And honestly? That felt just right.