Chapter 2-

Mole was surrounded by weasels taunting, kicking, biting, punching. He lay on the floor whimpering with fear. The Adrenalin seemed to be making him unable to feel the pain as much and wasn't looking forward to feeling it when the adrenalin went away either. He prayed the bullies would just leave him alone and let him pass but he knew they wouldn't stop anytime soon and seemed to enjoy his pain.

Suddenly he heard a deep gruff voice shouting. He coiled into himself in a tighter fetal position not knowing if this new loud voice was a friend or yet another enemy. The weasels had stopped kicking and hitting him now though much to his relief. He heard the voice ask what the weasels thought they were doing, to not hurt smaller animals then themselves, don't let him catch them anywhere near his house again. Mole could tell it was a male voice and that he had some authority in the forest..thank goodness. He felt a gentle hand on the top of his back. Slowly mole looked up seeing who it was, only to realise his glasses had fallen of and all he could see was a blur. He saw a blurry version of black and white and thought the voice had gone. But the blur knelt down and picked up something, then put on his glasses for him. He saw a much bigger and older looking badger frowning grumpily down at him.

The badger looked at him for a while then he held his hand out to say he was going to help him up. Mole held out his hand and felt himself being lifted up of the ground. The badger put his arm around him and started to guide him forward . It was a slow process considering how tired the poor mole was. But eventually he had been guided to a dark looking hole with a huge brown door. Mole lifted his head slightly intrigued by all the smells and sounds, the low hum of the kettle brewing, the fire crackling, the smell of the food was making moles mouth water.

The Badger guided him to a bundle of warmer looking clothes, slippers and a robe. He changed quickly in the bathroom and mole came a few minutes later looking happier. The badger made him tea and crumpets and hung his cold and wet clothes near the fire to dry.

He introduced himself to mole as Badger and scolded the man slightly for being so foolish and heading in the wild woods without being accompanied by his friends, and in the winter as well when everything was darker and even more dangerous. It should have been scary really, an older creature who was a lot bigger than yourself telling you off saying how foolish you had been. But he wasn't scared he knew badger meant no harm and he seemed wise as well as good. But Mole could only hold his head down and listen.

Mole started to explain why he was in the wild woods to begin with. He explained about meeting Mr Toad and the carriage ride, then about living with Rat and being taught the ways of the river bankers. How he was being taught how to swim. Then all about the Toad and how he got addicted to motor cars and dangerously obsessed with speed. Badger listened intently not interrupting once his eyebrows straightened in a serious look as the mole spoke.

Badgers face softened when Mole started talking about Toad, he could clearly see how worked up and worried he was over his friend. Mole had a crumpet in his hand and his cup of tea in he other as he spoke and the robe he wore hung loosely over him working as a blanket, the slippers on his feet comfortable on his now warmed up feet.

The Badger asked if Rat had warned him over the dangers of the wild woods, if he was told it was more dangerous in the winter. Which Badger got his answer when Mole just looked down with a guilty look. He now realised just how worried Ratty would be when he woke up and found he had gone. Badger was about to speak when there was another knock on the door. Badger answered it and saw a freezing looking Rat who had ice sticks and snow all over his fur and clothes. His teeth chattered in the cold air and his body shook.

"Sorry to bother you B-Badger. I L-lost my way in the snow. M-my friend Mole came to visit you and um-"

Before Rat could get another word in Badger pushed him inside his home and into the living room. Badger was about to tell him to get into warm clothes and a robe as well when Rat caught sight on Mole.

"Moley, oh thank goodness your safe!"

"Ratty! What are you doing here..yes I'm fine but you look freezing!"

Both smaller animals went over to each other and held each other in a tight hug. Then Rat got into his warm clothes robe and slippers. Badger didn't say anything because these were his friends but this was the most people he had for company in his own house. He was used to being alone and didn't really like company. But the good thing about Badger was if an animal needed his help he was always there for them welcoming them in his home, feeding keeping them warm and helping them out.

Mole enjoyed looking around Badgers home while sitting next to Rat. He felt nice and cozy in a hole underneath the ground again. Though this also made him feel very sad, because he remembered losing his home as well and the loud scary machine what destroyed everything he owned. But he had no time to dwell on this because yet again someone was knocking on Badgers door.

This time though Badger huffed loudly in irritation.

"The next time this happens I will be exceedingly angry…who is it this time!"