Watership down 2 - a new threat

Chapter 50

Chapter 50: A Bad Feeling in His Stomach

As dawn broke over the campsite, a soft light filtered through the leaves, but Bigwig felt no comfort in it. He lay awake, staring up at the canopy of branches above, but his mind was restless. The previous night's discussions had only intensified the knot of anxiety in his stomach.

Every rustle of leaves, every chirp of a bird, seemed amplified in the stillness of the early morning. He felt a gnawing sensation that something was off—something beyond the usual tension that accompanied their existence as fugitives. It was a feeling he couldn't shake, as if a storm was brewing just out of sight.

With a heavy sigh, Bigwig sat up and rubbed his belly, hoping to ease the discomfort. "Not now," he muttered to himself, trying to convince his gut to settle down. "We've got enough to worry about without you acting up."

Hazel stirred nearby, his ears twitching at the sound of Bigwig's voice. "You okay, Bigwig?" he asked, his voice still thick with sleep.

"Not really. Just a bad feeling in my stomach," Bigwig replied, trying to downplay his concern. "Probably just the leftover stress from everything we've been through."

Hazel's brow furrowed. "It's understandable. We've faced a lot lately. But we need to stay focused. Let's gather everyone and go over the plan again."

Bigwig nodded, though the feeling persisted. As he joined Hazel in waking the others, he couldn't shake the sense that today was going to bring something unexpected—something that would test their resolve.

Once the group had gathered, they formed a circle in the clearing, and Hazel outlined their plan once more. "We'll take shifts on lookout while the rest of us scout the area for food and potential hiding spots," he said, looking each of them in the eye. "Stay sharp and keep your ears open."

As they divided into teams, Bigwig partnered with Dandelion, who seemed oblivious to his friend's unease. "Come on, Bigwig! It'll be an adventure!" Dandelion said, his excitement infectious. "We'll find some great food and maybe even some useful stuff for the camp!"

"Right," Bigwig replied, forcing a smile. "Just keep your eyes peeled, alright?"

The two rabbits ventured a little further from the camp, the foliage thickening around them. As they moved cautiously, Bigwig's gut churned with every step, urging him to turn back. "Something feels off," he murmured.

"Off? Like what?" Dandelion asked, peering through the underbrush.

"Like we're being watched," Bigwig said, his instincts flaring. "Or like something bad is about to happen."

"Stop being so dramatic, Bigwig," Dandelion laughed lightly, but Bigwig didn't join in. He knew his friend meant well, but the feeling in his stomach had intensified, twisting tighter with each passing moment.

They came upon a small clearing filled with wildflowers, and the beauty was almost enough to distract Bigwig from his worries. But even the colorful blossoms couldn't lift the weight in his stomach. As Dandelion started nibbling on some clover, Bigwig scanned the perimeter, searching for anything that could explain his discomfort.

Suddenly, a rustling noise in the bushes caught his attention. His heart raced as he turned to Dandelion. "Did you hear that?"

Before Dandelion could respond, a shadow flitted past them, and Bigwig's instincts kicked in. "Run!" he shouted, adrenaline surging through his veins.

They bolted back toward the camp, the feeling in Bigwig's stomach transforming into pure urgency. Every leap felt like a race against time, as if whatever was lurking behind them was right on their tails.

As they neared the camp, Bigwig could see the others preparing for their day. "Hazel!" he shouted, panting as they skidded to a halt. "Something's out there! We need to be on guard!"

The expressions of his friends shifted from casual readiness to concern. "What do you mean?" Hazel asked, stepping forward, his demeanor instantly serious.

Bigwig opened his mouth to explain, but the feeling in his stomach was now a gnawing dread, and he could only hope that whatever was coming wouldn't change everything they had fought for.

"Get ready, everyone," Hazel commanded, glancing toward the trees. "It's time to prepare for whatever might come our way."

Bigwig stood among his friends, his heart pounding, the weight of the impending threat heavy in the air. The bad feeling in his stomach was no longer just a feeling; it was a warning, and he was determined to heed it before it was too late.