Watership down 2 - a new threat

Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Shadows of the Past

The night passed uneasily for the group atop the hill. As the moon hung high in the sky, casting silver light across the landscape, the shadows of the trees danced eerily along the ground. The peaceful atmosphere was pierced only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant calls of night creatures.

Hazel stirred awake, instinctively feeling for the presence of his companions. Bigwig was still on guard, his silhouette outlined against the moonlight as he paced silently, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

"Any sign of trouble?" Hazel asked quietly, his voice hoarse from sleep.

Bigwig shook his head, his expression serious. "Not yet. But I can't shake this feeling that we're being watched."

Fiver, still half-asleep, stirred beside them. "Watched? By what?" His voice was tinged with dread, and Hazel felt a familiar sense of foreboding rise within him.

"Not by any friendly faces, that's for sure," Bigwig replied. "Woundwort won't let us go easily."

Hazel nodded, recalling the stories they had heard of the Efrafans and their ruthless leader. "We need to stay sharp. If they catch our scent, there's no telling what they'll do."

As the dawn approached, the group began to stir. They shared a meager breakfast of foraged plants and wild berries that Blackavar had found nearby. The morning sun slowly rose, casting a warm glow over the landscape and momentarily lifting their spirits.

"Let's decide on our next move," Hazel said, glancing at Fiver. "What do you see?"

Fiver looked troubled, his brow furrowing as he focused on the horizon. "I see... hills again. But they're not the same. There's something... dark about them. I feel danger lurking."

Hazel felt a chill creep down his spine. "More danger? Can you tell what it is?"

Fiver shook his head, frustration evident on his face. "No. Just a sense of foreboding. It's as if the land itself is warning us."

"Then we should keep moving," Primrose suggested, her voice steady. "We can't afford to linger here if danger is nearby."

"Agreed," Bigwig replied, clenching his jaw. "We need to find somewhere safer. I don't want to be caught off guard again."

As they packed their belongings, Hazel took a moment to scan their surroundings. The gentle sound of a nearby stream offered a false sense of tranquility, but he couldn't shake the feeling that eyes were upon them.

With the group assembled and ready, they set out toward the distant hills that Fiver had envisioned. Each step felt heavy with uncertainty, but they pressed on, united by their determination to find safety and a new home.

As they walked, the conversation turned to what they would do when they found a new warren. Hazel listened to his friends discuss plans for a peaceful community, one where they could live free from fear and oppression.

However, Fiver remained quiet, his mind preoccupied with the unsettling feelings gnawing at him. The closer they got to the hills, the more intense his unease grew.

Finally, after several hours of walking, they reached the base of the hills. The terrain was rugged and steep, but they pressed on, hoping to find a vantage point that would allow them to survey the area.

As they climbed, Bigwig suddenly stopped, his ears perked up. "Did you hear that?" he asked, his voice low.

Everyone fell silent, straining to listen. In the distance, they could hear a faint rustling, like a whispering wind, but it was far too rhythmic to be the natural sound of the environment.

"Sounds like... marching?" Dandelion suggested, his eyes wide with concern.

Hazel's heart raced. "It can't be. We're too far from Efrifa, aren't we?"

"Let's find out," Bigwig said decisively. "We need to be sure."

As they crested the hill, they were met with a breathtaking view of the land below. But their awe quickly turned to dread as they saw a large group of Efrafan soldiers marching in formation, their armor glinting ominously in the sunlight.

"Woundwort is mobilizing," Fiver breathed, his face pale. "This isn't just a patrol. They're preparing for something big."

Hazel's mind raced with possibilities. "We need to get out of here. If they see us, it's all over."

But as they turned to retreat, a loud shout erupted from below. "There they are! The Sandleford scum!"

They were spotted. The Efrafans had seen them. Panic surged through the group as they scrambled down the hill, heart pounding with the realization that they were being hunted once more.

"Run!" Hazel yelled, urging everyone forward. "We can't let them catch us!"

With the sounds of pursuit echoing behind them, the group plunged into the underbrush, racing for their lives as the shadows of the past loomed closer than ever.