Watership down 2 - a new threat

Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The Rumbling Sound

As the group pressed deeper into the dense thicket, the rumbling sound grew more pronounced, vibrating through the ground beneath their paws. Each tremor sent a jolt of anxiety through Hazel and his companions, a chilling reminder of the danger that lurked nearby.

"What on earth is that noise?" Bigwig asked, his brow furrowing with concern. "It sounds like a storm is brewing."

"It's not thunder," Fiver replied, his voice low and tense. "It feels like something more ominous... something that shouldn't be here."

"Could it be the Efrafans? Are they bringing in more machines?" Holly suggested, his expression grim.

Hazel shook his head. "I don't know, but we need to find out. We can't afford to be caught off guard again."

"Let's move closer," Dandelion said, his curiosity outweighing his fear. "We have to see what's causing it."

The group reluctantly agreed, knowing that knowledge was their best defense. They carefully navigated through the underbrush, each step calculated and silent. As they crept closer, the source of the rumbling became apparent—a wide clearing opened up before them, revealing a shocking sight.

In the center of the clearing, a monstrous machine rumbled to life, its massive wheels churning the earth. Men in hard hats and safety vests shouted orders, moving about with a sense of urgency. Hazel's heart sank as he recognized the machine for what it was: a bulldozer, tearing through the landscape in search of something.

"What are they doing?" Primrose gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Clearing the land, probably," Bigwig muttered, his jaw clenched. "It looks like they're preparing for something big. We need to warn the others back at the Down."

Fiver, however, remained transfixed by the scene. "It's more than just clearing," he whispered, as if speaking to himself. "I see... I see dead bodies. The ground is soaked in blood..."

Hazel turned to his brother, worry etched on his face. "Fiver, what do you mean? Are you having another vision?"

"Yes," Fiver said, his voice shaking. "But this time it's worse. They're not just cutting down trees; they're preparing for an invasion. We need to leave now!"

Before they could react, a loud crash echoed through the clearing as a tree was felled by the machine. The ground shook beneath them, and the men cheered, oblivious to the rabbits hidden in the shadows.

"This is madness," Holly said, his voice laced with urgency. "If they keep this up, they'll find us! We have to get out of here!"

Just then, one of the men shouted, "Get the nets! We've got something over here!"

Hazel's heart raced. "Nets? They're trapping something? We can't let them catch us!"

The group quickly retreated, moving as quietly as possible back into the safety of the trees. The rumbling of the machinery faded into the background, but the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on them.

"Hazel, what are we going to do?" Primrose asked, her voice trembling. "They're destroying everything!"

"We need to inform the others," Hazel replied, determination filling his voice. "We can't let them come any closer to Watership Down. We have to come up with a plan to stop this before it's too late."

As they moved away from the clearing, Fiver glanced back, his expression haunted. "I can still see it," he murmured. "The blood, the destruction... it's all connected. We have to protect our home."

With that, the group pushed onward, their resolve strengthened by the urgency of their mission. They had escaped danger for now, but they knew the real battle lay ahead. And if they were to protect their warren, they would have to fight against not only the Efrafans but the relentless advance of man and his machines.

Hazel led the way, determination burning in his chest. They had faced loss before, but this time, they would not back down. They would fight for their home, for their future, and for all the rabbits yet to come.