The sudden shout startled James so badly that his grip slipped from the iron bars. The wooden branch beneath his feet shifted in the mud, causing him to lose his balance entirely. He fell backward, crashing heavily onto the damp forest floor. A sharp pain shot through his shoulder as he landed, but adrenaline immediately took over.
Inside the building, the quiet humming was replaced by loud, frantic banging. James could hear the heavy thud of footsteps running back and forth, followed by the metallic clatter of equipment being moved in a rush. Whoever was inside was frantic and James knew he was in danger.
Limping slightly, James scrambled to his feet and sprinted into the safety of the thick trees. He did not stop running until he was a football field away, hidden behind a massive oak tree, where he still had a view of the stone block. Trembling, he pulled out his phone and dialed emergency services. He expected the dispatcher to dismiss his story as a prank, but something in his voice must have conveyed his urgency.