Watership down 2 - a new threat

Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Stress in the Tummy

The adrenaline from their narrow escape still surged through Bigwig's veins as he and the others finally came to a halt in a secluded clearing. They were panting heavily, their hearts racing in rhythm with the forest around them, but the respite did little to ease the tension that had built up within them.

Bigwig leaned against a tree, trying to catch his breath. "Is everyone alright?" he gasped, his eyes scanning the group. Hazel and Fiver appeared shaken but intact, while Dandelion looked pale, clutching his side where the dog had grazed him.

"I'm fine," Dandelion insisted, though his voice wavered slightly. "Just a scratch."

"Scratch or not, we should check it," Hazel said, moving closer to him. "We need to make sure it doesn't get infected."

Bigwig nodded but felt a gnawing anxiety in his stomach. He had always prided himself on being the strong one, the protector, but the fear of failure loomed large over him now. What if they hadn't escaped? What if he hadn't been quick enough? He clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the unease that churned within him.

"Bigwig?" Fiver's voice broke through his thoughts, laced with concern. "You look... unwell."

"I'm fine," he snapped, a bit too sharply. The moment he said it, he regretted the tone. "I just—" He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "I'm just stressed."

"Stressed?" Hawkbit piped up, adjusting his position beside Bigwig. "You think? We just had a bloody dog chase us, and now we've got Efran soldiers hunting us down!"

"Not to mention we still don't know where we're headed," Blackberry added, her brow furrowed with worry. "What if we run into them again? Or worse?"

The weight of uncertainty hung heavy in the air. Bigwig felt the pressure build in his stomach, the feeling growing more pronounced as his mind raced through the scenarios. It wasn't just the fear of their pursuers; it was the realization that they were all counting on him to lead them through this chaos.

"I need to focus," Bigwig muttered, pacing away from the group, trying to shake off the feeling of impending doom that clouded his thoughts. Each step felt heavier than the last as he grappled with his sense of responsibility and the rising anxiety that threatened to consume him.

"Hey," Hazel called softly, following him a few paces. "It's okay to feel stressed, Bigwig. We've all been through a lot. You don't have to shoulder this alone."

Bigwig stopped and turned to face Hazel, trying to mask his inner turmoil. "I know, but... if something happens to any of you because I wasn't strong enough to protect you, I—"

"Stop," Hazel interrupted, his expression firm yet understanding. "You're not just a protector. You're our friend. We're in this together, remember? We have to trust each other."

Bigwig took a deep breath, the weight of Hazel's words slowly penetrating his clouded thoughts. "You're right," he conceded, but the tightness in his stomach didn't ease. "It's just... I feel like I should be doing more, you know? I'm supposed to keep everyone safe."

"And you are," Fiver chimed in, his voice gentle yet reassuring. "Just being here, keeping us together, is enough. We can't control everything that happens. We just have to face it as it comes."

As the group gathered closer, Bigwig felt the warmth of their camaraderie start to chip away at the icy grip of fear inside him. He wasn't alone in this fight, and together, they could overcome the darkness ahead.

"Alright," he said, forcing a small smile. "Let's figure out where to go next. But first, let's take a breather. Everyone, check in with one another, make sure we're all good to go."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Bigwig turned back to the group. They sat together, sharing their fears and plans, and slowly, the knot in his stomach began to loosen. As they exchanged stories and ideas, he realized that even in the face of uncertainty, they could find strength in each other.

But as they talked, a nagging thought still lingered in the back of his mind—Woundwort and his Efran soldiers were still out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance. The battle was far from over, and Bigwig knew they had to be ready for whatever came next.

As the afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, he took a moment to breathe in the fresh air, grateful for the bond they shared and the hope it brought amidst the brewing storm.