There are eleven narrators in Alexandra Shalashova’s novel—they experience and interpret events in different ways, leaving no room for any objective version. These are young patients and teachers of a sanatorium on the other side of the river, where children are evacuated from the City just before the start of the war. Soon the bridge connecting them with the outside world is blown up, and the children are plunged into darkness. Every day do they hear explosions—or volleys of fireworks? - but they don’t know if the war is still going on. Lack of food, conflicts, a new informal hierarchy, the invisible presence of an Evil that has no name - and violence is flourishing, caused by endless loneliness, fear. One day, a Soldier comes to the children and offers to take them to people. But will they reach it or will they go straight to unknown invaders?