Watership down 2 - a new threat

Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Shadows of the Past

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the park, Fiver felt an unsettling chill in the air. He had been unusually quiet, lost in thought, and his unease was palpable to the others. Hazel noticed this and approached him, concern etched on his face.

"Fiver, are you alright?" Hazel asked softly, hoping to draw his brother out of his trance.

Fiver shook his head slowly. "I had another vision... and it's worse than before." His voice trembled slightly, the weight of his foreboding thoughts pressing heavily upon him.

"What did you see?" Hazel urged, his tone growing serious. The laughter and lightness from earlier faded, replaced by an air of tension as the group gathered closer.

Fiver took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I saw... bodies. More than before. Not just in London, but... all over. A battlefield covered in blood. I was standing next to someone familiar... but they were lifeless." He paused, swallowing hard as the images flooded back. "It felt so real, Hazel. I don't know who it was, but I could feel their pain, their fear. It was like they were calling out to me."

A hushed silence fell over the group, each member processing the weight of Fiver's words. Bigwig crossed his arms, trying to hide his growing unease behind a facade of bravado. "It's just a vision, Fiver. We can't let fear dictate our actions. We've faced danger before, and we can do it again."

"But what if this time it's different?" Fiver replied, his voice a whisper filled with urgency. "What if this time we can't escape it? The efrafans are relentless. If Woundwort is after power in London, he won't stop until he gets what he wants. We need to prepare ourselves for the worst."

Blackavar shifted uncomfortably. "So, what do we do? We can't just sit around waiting for something to happen. We need a plan."

Hazel nodded, the weight of leadership pressing heavily on his shoulders. "You're right. We need to train harder and gather whatever resources we can. We should also keep scouting the area for any signs of the efrafans. If they're coming, we need to know when."

"And what about food?" Violet chimed in, her voice small but resolute. "If we're going to fight, we need to be strong. We can't afford to starve while we prepare."

Hazel agreed. "We'll set up scouting parties to find food and water. Fiver, I need you to focus on those visions. If you sense anything, you must tell us immediately. We're all counting on you."

As they spoke, the air grew heavier, and Fiver felt a creeping sense of dread. He tried to shake it off, but the feeling lingered, like a shadow looming just out of sight.

Suddenly, the sound of distant barking echoed through the park, breaking the tension. The group froze, their ears pricking up.

"Dog!" Bigwig hissed, his eyes wide with alarm. "We need to move!"

"Quickly!" Hazel urged. "Everyone, to the trees!"

In a flurry of motion, the group darted toward the nearest cover, hearts pounding. They huddled together beneath the branches, holding their breath as the sound of the barking grew closer.

Fiver's mind raced. This was exactly what he had feared—the world was closing in around them, and the threats they faced were becoming increasingly tangible. He stole a glance at Hazel, whose expression was set with determination, and he knew they had to be ready for whatever came next.

As the dog's growls echoed ominously in the distance, Fiver vowed to himself that he would do everything in his power to protect his family and friends. No matter the cost.