The future of medical service major Zhigarev is vague, the past is of little significance. But in the present there is only the Chechen war. Not knowing fatigue, the major simply fulfills his duty - he pulls out the wounded from the other world, sometimes without distinguishing who is his own and who is a stranger. Desperate raids into the mountains, night attacks by militants, and hand-to-hand combat will harden anyone. But even in this hell, love arises, which unexpectedly fills the life of the major, who has already forgotten about the existence of human happiness, with meaning. This novel is about strong, enduring feelings that can only be ended by death.