Watership down 2 - a new threat

Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Bad Fear and Anxiety

As night fell over their makeshift camp, a heavy silence enveloped the rabbits. The shadows danced around them, cast by the flickering light of their small fire, but the warmth it provided couldn't dispel the chill of anxiety settling in Bigwig's chest. He lay awake, staring at the stars twinkling above, feeling the weight of the coming days press down on him.

He rolled over, trying to find a comfortable position, but his mind was racing. Thoughts of Woundwort and his soldiers infiltrated his mind, filling him with an unease that gnawed at his insides. What if their plans failed? What if they were discovered before they could put their strategy into action? Images of his friends captured or harmed played like a grim reel in his head.

Beside him, Fiver sensed his brother's restlessness. "Bigwig," he whispered, turning on his side to face him. "You're not sleeping. What's bothering you?"

Bigwig sighed, the sound heavy with unspoken fears. "I don't know, Fiver. I thought I was ready for this, but now that we're actually planning to confront Woundwort, it feels...different. I'm scared of letting everyone down."

Fiver moved closer, his eyes earnest. "It's normal to feel that way, especially with everything that's happening. But remember, we're in this together. You're not alone in your fears."

Bigwig clenched his jaw, feeling the familiar surge of frustration mixed with anxiety. "But what if my fear holds us back? What if I freeze up when it counts? I can't afford to be weak—not when everyone's counting on me."

"Being scared doesn't mean you're weak," Fiver replied, his voice firm yet gentle. "It means you're aware of the danger. Use that fear to fuel your determination. We all have moments of doubt, but it's how we choose to act that defines us."

Bigwig took a deep breath, trying to absorb his brother's words. "I just wish I could shake this feeling. I don't want to be the one who drags everyone down. What if I can't handle it?"

Fiver shifted again, his eyes glimmering in the firelight. "What if you can? We've faced so much together already. Remember the time we escaped Sandleford? You were terrified then too, but you stood tall when it mattered. It's okay to have doubts. Just don't let them control you."

The silence stretched between them, thick with the weight of unspoken fears. Bigwig felt the anxiety tightening around his chest, a suffocating grip that made it hard to breathe. He closed his eyes, willing himself to focus on the sound of the wind rustling through the grass and the crackling fire, but the images of chaos and danger kept creeping back.

"Fiver," he said quietly, "what if we lose someone else? I can't bear the thought of that happening again. Not after Pipkin. Not after everything we've been through."

The mention of their lost friend sent a wave of grief crashing over both of them. Fiver nodded slowly, his expression somber. "I miss him too. But we can't let that fear paralyze us. We have to honor his memory by fighting for what we believe in. He would want us to keep going, to protect each other."

"Yeah," Bigwig murmured, though the doubt still lingered. "You're right. I just wish it was easier."

"Then let's take it one step at a time," Fiver suggested. "Focus on the here and now. Right now, we're safe, and we have each other. That's enough for tonight."

With that, Bigwig shifted, forcing himself to relax. He listened to the sounds of the night—crickets chirping, the wind whispering through the grass—and let Fiver's words wash over him. He was still afraid, but there was also a sense of determination building within him.

"Thanks, Fiver," he said, his voice a little steadier. "I'll try to remember that."

As sleep began to take hold, Bigwig felt a flicker of hope. The road ahead was fraught with challenges, but he wouldn't face them alone. Together with his friends, they could confront their fears and fight for their new home. And maybe, just maybe, that would be enough to overcome the darkness that loomed ahead.