As the morning wears on, Sally wanders through the woods, her search for food and water proving surprisingly fruitless. Combined with the knowledge that she's being hunted, my midday, she's feeling so hungry and thirsty, she's considering surrendering if she's found.

Without thinking, she emerges from the treeline. She looks up to see a cloudy sky, and for the first time, she can feel the gentle warm breeze in her fur. For a moment, Sally lets herself forget she's in terrible danger.

Then she notices the large lake just a quarter‑mile away.

"Water!" Filled with renewed optimism, Sally is about to head for the lake when she hears engines in the forest behind her. Fear and panic grip her, and she sprints towards the lake as fast as she can, not daring to look back even once.

Sally is so focussed on getting to the lake she almost doesn't spot the ochre badger and olive lynx watching her approach. At the last moment, she suddenly notices them, and slides to a halt so quickly she trips over herself and lands hard, almost knocking the wind out of her. The badger and the lynx rush to help her to her feet.

"Hide me! Please!" the hedgehog begs as she's lifted onto her feet.

The badger and the lynx exchange looks of curiosity, then help the hedgehog into their lakeside house. Before they can get Sally settles however, the lynx's ears twitch. "Danny, we got company."

"Xander!" Danny calls. "Forget lunch: tool up and meet us outside!" The badger then turns to the Sally. "Well get rid of them, no problem," he assures.

"Sally Flynn! We know you're around here!" comes a gruff, aggressive call from outside.

Panicking, Sally dives behind the chair in time to miss a steel‑blue wolf emerge from the kitchen and ask, "Who's Sally Flynn?"

"Someone who needs our protection," Danny answers. "Now, let's get out there."

Sally remains hidden behind the chair, listening to what's happening outside. A few minutes later, the noise from outside stops, and she hears the trio re‑enter the house. "Are they gone?" she asks timidly as the lynx heads towards her room and the wolf heads back to the kitchen.

"They're gone," Danny assures. "And they won't be coming back in a hurry."

"Thank the Ancients!" Sally exclaims as she leaps out from behind the chair and throws her arms around Danny, hugging him firmly and warmly. Danny, a little taken aback, returns a comforting hug a moment later.

After a minute, Sally breaks the hug, a little embarrassed. "Sorry," she blushes. "I… erm… that is…"

"Don't worry about it," Danny winks. "As it turns out, you're just in time for lunch: I bet you're hungry."

Overcome, Sally throws her arms around Danny again, and cries tears of joy.

"Let it all out," Danny encourages as he holds Sally in comfort.

"Don't be sad, spiky lady," the lynx comforts as she returns to the den. "You're safe from those icky meanies now."

"It's OK Maria, I've got this," Danny informs softly. "You help Xander with lunch, and make sure there's plenty for our guest."

"Thank you," Sally whispers, her voice muffled slightly by Danny's red scarf as she weeps into it.

"You asked us to hide you," Danny replies softly. "And that's what I'll do. We'll do, I mean."

"Can… Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Do… Do I stink?"

"Little bit."

"Can I…"

"Yes, you may use our bathroom. In your own time, of course."

Sally breathes a sigh of relief and finally allows herself to relax.

"Would you like a drink?" Danny asks, loosening his hold.

Sally pulls him in tighter. "Don't let me go."

"OK," Danny agrees, holding Sally close.