That novel is the prologue to the “Death Saga,” describing the backstory of the trilogy’s events. Who is that strange creature that arose deep within the Zone? What caused its appearance? Some call it a man, and others a mutant. Its father is unknown, and its mother died while fleeing mysterious killers. It was born in the Zone—and knows it better than anyone. No one can find anomalies and handle mutants the way it can. No one knows the secret paths it walks—no one can track it… After all, it is the Zone’s talisman. But what will happen if all stalkers want it dead?