Vasily Shchepetnev, a writer from Voronezh, is already known to our readers from the story “Night Watch” (“US” No. 10, 1991). The author introduces his new work as follows: “The idea for the story appeared after a psychiatrist I knew told me about a case of group lycanthropy (werewolf) that took place in one of the villages of the Voronezh region. According to the psychiatrist, lycanthropy in those conditions was a pathological defensive reaction of the psyche, making possible the transition to cannibalism and thereby giving a chance for survival. Similar cases have been described many times in the medical literature. They are especially common during times of disaster..." "Ural Pathfinder" No. 7, 1992.