Read the story.
The small coastal town had always seemed perfectly peaceful, with its charming houses nestled by the sea. However, beneath the surface, there was a growing issue that had long gone unnoticed. The pollution in the nearby industrial area had seeped into the ground and contaminated the water supply. It was a problem that had been ignored for far too long, and now it was a ticking bomb ready to explode.
How does the metaphor in bold contribute to the story's overall meaning or tone?
It creates a sense of suspense about what might happen to the town.
It creates a sense of indifference about the pollution problem.
It creates a sense of disappointment about the town's lack of response.
It creates a sense of confusion about the true source of the pollution.