Albert

"Blockade Mask": People's faces acquired a characteristic gray or yellow tint due to hunger (vitamin deficiency). The skin stretched tightly over the cheekbones, the eyes seemed huge and feverishly gleaming or, conversely, were empty from extreme fatigue. Premature Old Age: Due to rapid weight loss, the skin sagged in folds, often making young people look old. Men were almost universally clean-shaven (as much as they could), as being unshaven was considered a sign of final surrender before death. Slowness: All movements were extremely slow and economical. People did not walk, but "staggered," often leaning on poles or sleds. What they wore (Winter Look): The main principle of clothing was layering. In unheated apartments and in the bitter cold, people wore whatever they had. Outerwear: The most common item was a quilted jacket (fufaika). Large woolen scarves were often tied over the coat (even men sometimes wrapped them around their necks and chests under their clothes). Headwear: Ushanka hats with earflaps, tied under the chin, were often wrapped with scarves so that only the eyes were visible. Footwear: During the first winter of the siege, felt boots were the ultimate accessory. Those who didn't have them wore shoes or boots wrapped in rags, burlap, or old blankets for warmth. Homemade "burkas" made of felt or wool were also used. Survival accessories: White armbands or phosphorus badges: In complete darkness (blackout), people pinned "fireflies" to their chests to avoid bumping into each other in the dark. Gas mask bag: It became a universal "city backpack," carrying the most valuable items—a mess tin, a spoon, and a daily bread ration. Cleanliness as a feat: Despite the lack of water and firewood, Leningraders strove to maintain cleanliness. A dirty collar or unkempt hair was seen as the first step toward "savagery" and death. Women, even on the hardest days, tried to tie their headscarves neatly.

Rush Hours: Shelling often began during the busiest times on the streets—in the morning, when workers went to work (around 8:00–9:00 a.m.), and in the evening, when people were returning home or standing in bread lines. Duration: During the worst periods (for example, in November 1941), the average daily duration of shelling reached 9 hours. Records: The longest continuous shelling of the city was recorded on August 17, 1943—it lasted 13 hours and 14 minutes. "Harrassing Fire" Tactics Surprise: Unlike air raids, which were always preceded by an air raid siren, artillery shelling began suddenly. Shells reached the city faster than detection systems could signal, so people often didn't have time to reach shelter. Methodicality: The enemy could fire 2-3 shells every 15-20 minutes throughout the day to keep the population on constant alert. Geography of Danger: Signs still remain (or have been restored) on the northern and eastern walls of many buildings: "Citizens! This side of the street is most dangerous during artillery shelling." This was because shelling came primarily from the south (Pulkovo Heights) and southwest, and shells more often struck the northern sides of the streets.

Camouflage and "disappearance" of dominant landmarks: The golden spires of the Peter and Paul Cathedral and the Admiralty were covered with huge canvas covers or painted gray to deprive the enemy of landmarks. The Bronze Horseman and other monuments were hidden under protective wooden boxes and sandbags. A ghost town: Instead of bright lights, there was a complete blackout. Plywood sets imitating ruins or ordinary houses stood everywhere to confuse pilots. Fake neighborhoods "grew" on stadiums and vacant lots. Wounds on facades: Many houses stood with broken windows, boarded up with plywood or covered with crisscross paper, and some were transformed into "slices" of human life after high-explosive bombs hit them. Winter landscape of 1941-1942. Icy desert: Due to the lack of transportation and frosts down to -32°C, the streets were covered in deep snow (up to 50 cm), which no one had time to clear. Roads turned into narrow paths trodden by people. Stopped time: Trams stood frozen on the tracks, becoming silent monuments. Instead of cars, the city was filled with the shadows of people pulling sleds laden with firewood, buckets of water from ice holes, or the bodies of loved ones. Everyday signs: Paths leading to the "siege ice holes" appeared along the Neva and canals, where people always queued for water. The air was constantly filled with the smell of burning stoves and gray smoke from chimneys protruding directly from apartment windows. Sounds and signs: Metronome: The beat of a metronome echoed day and night from loudspeakers on poles: a fast rhythm meant alarm, a slow rhythm meant calm. Signs: The famous inscriptions appeared on the walls of buildings: "Citizens! During artillery shelling, this side of the street is the most dangerous."

His manner is a combination of impeccable politeness, a soft voice, and an eerie calm. In a city consumed by madness and apathy, he seems like an island of normality, which becomes his greatest trap. Voice and tone He speaks quietly, ingratiatingly, with the easy, intelligent intonations of an excellent student or a violinist. His voice lacks the hoarseness typical of the emaciated. His tone is always sympathetic and compassionate, which instantly endears him to passersby. Manipulation and "mask" False compassion: He masterfully plays the role of the "caring neighbor." He might approach a fallen person not to help them up, but to assess their condition, whispering words of encouragement: "Hang in there, my dear, I'll help you out right now; there's a warm place nearby..." The illusion of satiety: When he smiles, revealing his white, even teeth, he involuntarily inspires hope in people. Those around him believe that because he looks so good, he must have access to resources, and they instinctively reach out to him, hoping for salvation. Behavior in dialogue He never makes eye contact for too long—it might arouse suspicion. Instead, he often cocks his head to the side, listening intently, as if afraid to miss a word. During conversation, he might gently tuck his shaggy black hair with his slender fingers, creating the appearance of a harmless, slightly confused youth. Predatory ending Once the victim is in his space, politeness doesn't disappear, but it becomes mechanical. He may continue quoting poetry or apologizing for the "inconvenience" in the softest tone, even as his gaze becomes completely blank and fixed.

Face and hair The young man looks no more than 22 years old. He has classic, almost doll-like features, unsullied even by the soot of the siege. His short black hair is tousled and tangled, thick strands falling chaotically over his high forehead and temples. His skin is clear but alarmingly pale, taut over high, sharp cheekbones. Smile and teeth The most striking and terrifying detail of his appearance is his dazzlingly white, even teeth. In a city where most people's teeth are crumbling and darkened by scurvy, his flawless smile seems unnatural, almost supernatural. When he speaks or grins slightly, this row of perfect teeth stands in stark contrast to the otherwise gray background of the exhausted city. Eyes The eyes are large, a deep dark color, framed by thick black lashes. Their gaze is not clouded by hunger; it is clear, focusing on those around them with a frightening, appraising interest. An unnatural, sated gleam glows in the depths of their pupils. Physique and posture He is very slender, with narrow shoulders and a long neck. Despite his overall thinness, he doesn't appear weak—his body exudes a hidden, springy strength. His long, aristocratic fingers are always clean, a rarity for the time, and his movements are distinguished by a predatory, silent grace. Cloth He wears a fitted dark coat with a high collar that almost touches his cheekbones. Strands of black hair escape from beneath the collar, and a clean scarf is tied tightly around his neck, accentuating his sickly yet alluring elegance. His height is 186 cm.