In July, the days in northern Russia are long. At 9:30, the evening sun is just beginning to sink below the horizon. The air is still. Guarded by a stand of birch and evergreens, the meadow grass stands tall and motionless. Wildflowers are everywhere. Masha appears in the faint glow of filtered light. She smiles. As the day draws to a close, she thinks: this is too good to be true!