Antonina, an artist from Saint Petersburg, follows her husband, a political prisoner, to the deep north province of Russia. As she starts teaching art in a local school, she finds herself opposed by a twelve-year-old boy, Misha, whose brother is a feared local gang leader.

Yana lives in northern town, works at the post office, collects stamps and waits for her father from the sea, but she doesn't even hope for his coming home. One day sailor Petr comes to the post office, and it changes Yana's life.

Inna lives with her dad and little brother in a small town. Her life changes when a new girl, Masha, comes to her school. They become friends. But Masha is murdered by a maniac serial killer, who kills teenage girls in the town. Inna goes to church for the funeral service. There she meets the priest's son Ilya, whose sister was also murdered.