Watership down 2 - a new threat

Chapter 25

Chapter 25: A Painful Memory

Maren sighed as she lay in the warmth of her burrow, listening to the soft sounds of her sons breathing as they slept nearby. The calm of the night around her was a stark contrast to the chaos she had once lived through, and memories of that time flickered vividly in her mind.

Years ago, before Nitro and Augustus were born, Maren had tried to build a future with her mate, Dwight. She had loved him deeply, seeing his warmth and kindness even when the world could be harsh. But Dwight had a dark side—a growing attachment to drinking that slowly pulled him away from her and their dreams.

She remembered a night when the scent of rain hung in the air and she waited anxiously for Dwight to come home. When he finally staggered into the burrow, she knew immediately by the glazed look in his eyes and the slur in his voice that he'd been drinking again. She had hoped he would change, that he would see what they could build together, but each night he came back unchanged, her hope faded a little more.

Finally, something in her snapped.

"All you do is drink every single fucking day," she said, her voice trembling with pent-up frustration and sadness. "Do you even care about us? Or is it just the damn drinking?"

Dwight looked at her, his expression shifting from surprise to anger. "It's not like I'm hurting anyone," he muttered, avoiding her gaze. "I work, I come home... what more do you want from me, Maren?"

"Is that all you think this is?" she demanded, her voice rising. "It's not just about showing up, Dwight. It's about being here—really being here for us. How do you expect to raise a family if you're barely around? You can't just drown yourself every night and pretend we don't exist!"

The argument escalated, harsh words filling the small space that once felt like home. They both said things they regretted, but in the heat of the moment, Maren's patience finally broke. She wanted him to understand the pain his actions were causing, the way his drinking tore at the bond they had once shared. But every word only seemed to drive them further apart.

In the end, Dwight left. She could still remember the look in his eyes as he turned and walked out of their burrow for the last time, a mix of anger and regret. She never saw him again.

After that night, Maren knew she had to stay strong, not just for herself, but for her sons who needed her. She taught Nitro and Augustus resilience, independence, and kindness, hoping they would grow into men who could be strong and loving without the same burdens that had taken Dwight from them.

Maren closed her eyes, letting out a steadying breath. She had fought hard to leave those memories behind, and she had built a life she was proud of with her sons. But the scars of that time lingered, a reminder of the battles she had fought to protect the family that meant everything to her.