Watership down 2 - a new threat

Chapter 51

Chapter 51: It Got Worse

The atmosphere around the camp was charged with tension as the sun climbed higher, casting dappled light through the trees. Bigwig paced back and forth, his earlier unease intensifying with every moment. The others were setting up makeshift defenses, but he felt a heaviness settle in his chest, a premonition that whatever was approaching was worse than they could imagine.

"Bigwig, sit down," Hazel urged, noticing his friend's restlessness. "You're making us all anxious."

"I can't help it," Bigwig replied, shaking his head. "Something isn't right. I feel like we're being hunted."

The others exchanged worried glances, the gravity of Bigwig's words sinking in. Fiver, who had been silent and thoughtful, finally spoke. "You're right, Bigwig. I can sense it too. There's something in the air... a darkness. It's similar to what I felt before the last confrontation with Woundwort."

Just then, a loud rustling came from the nearby thicket, silencing the group. They turned as one, eyes wide, hearts racing. The sound intensified, branches snapping, followed by the unmistakable growl of a creature—large and menacing.

"Everyone, get ready!" Hazel shouted, his voice cutting through the rising panic. The rabbits hurried to position themselves, instinctively forming a protective circle around the younger ones, including Periwinkle and Mallow.

From the underbrush emerged a massive dog, its fur matted and eyes wild. It was unlike any dog they had encountered before—much larger, and it seemed agitated, foaming slightly at the mouth. The sight of it sent shockwaves of fear through the group.

"Get back!" Bigwig shouted, adrenaline coursing through him. "We need to hold it off!"

The dog lunged forward, teeth bared, and the group scattered, but not before Bigwig managed to shove Periwinkle out of the way. "Stay close to Mallow!" he yelled, heart pounding as he faced the beast.

Fiver's vision blurred as panic set in, and he felt the familiar churn in his stomach. "It's not just the dog!" he screamed, a sense of dread overwhelming him. "There's something else coming!"

Suddenly, from the shadows, several Efran soldiers emerged, their eyes locked onto the chaos. "Woundwort wants you all captured!" one shouted, pointing a spear toward the group. The soldiers were armed and ready, and the sight made Bigwig's heart sink.

"Retreat!" Hazel shouted, but it was too late. The dog lunged again, this time knocking Dandelion to the ground. A yelp of pain escaped Dandelion's lips, and Bigwig felt his heart drop.

"Dandelion!" he cried, rushing to his friend's side. The dog was now distracted, but not for long. It circled, snarling, and the Efran soldiers advanced, closing in on them like a tightening noose.

"Form up!" Hazel commanded, trying to rally the group, but the situation had spiraled out of control. The sound of barking and shouting filled the air, mingling with the frantic thudding of their hearts.

Bigwig, realizing they needed a plan, turned to Fiver. "What do we do?" he asked, desperation in his voice.

"I— I don't know!" Fiver stammered, trembling. "The vision... it's worse than I thought. It's chaos, blood... I can't see clearly!"

The dog lunged again, this time making contact with Dandelion, who cried out as the creature's teeth grazed his side. "Bigwig!" Dandelion shouted, fear and pain evident in his voice.

"Hold on!" Bigwig dashed forward, pushing past the others to reach Dandelion. The moment felt surreal; time seemed to stretch as he focused solely on his friend.

Suddenly, from behind him, he heard Hazel shout, "Now!" The others, responding to Hazel's call, sprang into action. They formed a barrier, trying to keep the dog at bay while Fiver and the others pulled Dandelion away.

"Get him out of here!" Bigwig roared, his eyes locked on the snarling beast, preparing himself to face it head-on.

"Bigwig, no!" Hazel called, but it was too late. The dog lunged again, and Bigwig, fueled by instinct and adrenaline, jumped in front of Dandelion, positioning himself between the beast and his friend.

As the dog lunged, Bigwig felt the full force of its weight slam into him, sending him crashing to the ground. Pain erupted through him, but he fought to stay focused, knowing that if he didn't act, Dandelion wouldn't stand a chance.

"Keep fighting!" Hazel shouted, trying to rally the others. "We can't let them take us!"

Bigwig struggled against the dog's grip, feeling its hot breath on his face. "Get away from him!" he growled, using every ounce of strength to push the beast back. Just as he thought he might lose his grip, the sound of more footsteps echoed through the clearing—more Efran soldiers were arriving.

"It's getting worse!" Fiver shouted, looking around frantically. "We have to move!"

Just as the situation felt utterly hopeless, a loud, unexpected noise split the air—a vehicle revving in the distance. The dog, startled, released Bigwig and turned its attention toward the sound.

"Now!" Hazel yelled, seizing the opportunity. "Run!"

Bigwig scrambled to his feet, heart racing, but the dread in his stomach had turned to a cold, hard fear. "We can't let them get away!" he shouted, grabbing Dandelion and pulling him upright.

With no time to lose, the group began to flee, the barking of the dog and the shouts of the soldiers echoing behind them. Bigwig led the charge, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders as they raced through the underbrush, desperate to escape the gathering storm that had just begun to unfold.

As they dashed through the woods, Bigwig couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far worse than they had ever encountered. The looming threat of Woundwort and his soldiers, combined with the unpredictable nature of the world around them, left a chilling uncertainty in his heart.