hands across glared at Theo. It settled onto its bottom, resumed its job as a cauldron. Theo held his sword out. A march of dolls paraded across the floor. They formed a circle of worship around bowing and chanting to the Baba Yaga.

“Ring around the Rosie,

Pocket full of Posies

Ashes, Ashes,

"She wears a crown!”

The crone herself lounged in a bed of heads, all young girls. Their features twitched alive as Theo bowed low to her. Their eyes blinked, and the largest of them held a long wink. Theo realized silken thread laced over and through the lids.

The house settled one corner, and the other, and came to rest with a crash. Buttons opened the door with pistols drawn. He’d wrangled the stairs to the settled house. “Christ on thecracked. “I will see you in a year.” She put a finger to her lips and shushed them. The trio of companions closed their eyes and fell asleep standing. The Baba Yaga walked in and around them. She tweaked their clothing and as she did the mud and slime fell away. She kissed each on their mouths. The Baba Yaga flicked their teeth with her bird’s tongue. The Baba Yaga climbed out the chimney, closing the chute behind her.

When they awoke, Buttons asked, “What did she say we’d eat?”

The tiny, singing and dancing dolls opened their chests to show beating hearts.

The platform stretched as far across as a galleon. Framed underneath with wooden slats, the floor they crossed onto was grass. Green, luscious grass. It struck a frightening