He was in the air again, swinging about and then dropping. This time he landed on his good arm, but the jolt winded him.
"Oh my dear Max ! After the punishment I'll take you home with me. There we'll discuss your wrong doings and agree on a process of redemption for you."
This time she didn't lift him. Max felt pressure on his chest and he was hurtled over the sands, landing like a rag doll. He coughed uncontrollably, noticing spots of blood colouring the sand where he coughed. Baba Yaga was next to him, looking down at him, her expression still looking benign.
"You're killing me !"
"Oh no Max, I won't let you die. It may take years, but you will repent and you will be redeemed."
She was actually smiling at him now.
"Your salvation will be my project Max."
She petted her cat.
"Isn't that right Constanze ? We have all the time in the world to teach him the error of his ways."
Behind them the desert seemed to explode, the sky filling with flames. It looked to be some distance away and Baba Yaga didn't even look in that direction. Max thought he might be imagining it, but then there were more explosion. He used his good arm to cover his eyes as the shock wave covered them both in sand. Max lost any curiosity about the event, as Baba Yaga lifted him by his ankle again.
