Eddie is a nineteen-year-old Mexican-American man struggling to survive in south Fresno. Having recently dropped out of his community college air conditioning program following his cousin's murder, he lives alone in a roach-infested apartment and supports himself by painting house numbers on curbs. He tries hard to avoid the gang violence and drug culture surrounding him, maintaining a strong sense of personal responsibility despite constant pressure to seek revenge.

Coach is a former gang member who now dedicates his time to helping the youth of south Fresno. Stationed at the local playground, he organizes sports and provides a neutral, safe environment for young men. He acts as a practical advisor and stabilizing force for Eddie, consistently offering a listening ear and realistic options for escaping the neighborhood's cycle of violence.

Angel is deeply entrenched in the criminal lifestyle of Eddie's neighborhood. He actively participates in car theft and gang activities, carrying himself with a dangerous unpredictability. Driven by a desire to avenge his friend Jesus, he relentlessly pressures Eddie to join his violent schemes, serving as a constant source of fear and tension.

Jose is one of Eddie's closest friends, currently serving in the Marines. Like Eddie, he deliberately avoids drugs and gangs, choosing military service as a concrete way out of poverty. He returns to Fresno on leave, bringing a sense of loyalty and shared history to his interactions with Eddie, though his visit exposes him to the very violence he tried to leave behind.

Mr. Stiles is an elderly, relatively affluent homeowner living on the north side of Fresno. He provides Eddie with a much-needed opportunity for steady yard work, representing the financial stability of the middle class. While he genuinely appreciates Eddie's hard work, his underlying suspicions and quickness to assume the worst create significant friction between them.

This unnamed young child lives near Mr. Stiles in the affluent north side of Fresno. He deliberately misinterprets Eddie's words, accusing him of swearing, and reports this to his mother. The boy actively creates trouble for Eddie, representing the hostility and unwarranted suspicion Eddie faces when working outside his own neighborhood.

Lupe is an older teenager who exists somewhere between casual criminality and full gang involvement. He associates with Angel and occasionally acts as his messenger, but he also maintains enough independence to converse reasonably with Eddie. He worries about his younger brother's increasing fascination with violence.

Samuel is Lupe's younger brother and represents the next generation of gang involvement in Fresno. He carries a knife and eagerly tries to emulate older criminals, specifically idolizing Angel. He frequently antagonizes Eddie, using threats of violence to assert a false sense of maturity and power.

Jesus is Eddie's deceased cousin whose recent murder drives much of the narrative conflict. Though he never appears alive in the story, his past involvement with gangs and his sudden death cast a long shadow over his family. His demise triggers demands for vengeance that Eddie desperately tries to avoid.

Aunt Delores is a grieving relative who aggressively pushes Eddie to abandon his peaceful life. She visits his apartment to bribe him with food, eventually presenting him with a firearm. She represents the intense familial pressure to participate in the cycle of neighborhood retaliation.

Eddie's mother has moved away from Fresno, leaving her nineteen-year-old son to fend for himself. She communicates infrequently and is largely disconnected from his daily struggles with poverty and gang pressure. When she does visit, she focuses on superficial solutions, like suggesting a new girlfriend, rather than addressing his immediate dangers.

Known as the "good aunt," Gloria stands in contrast to Delores. She firmly opposes any involvement in vengeance killings and tries to steer Eddie toward safer, more domestic pursuits. She attempts to set him up with a local girl, hoping romance will keep him out of trouble.

Nina is Eddie's godmother, living nearby in Fresno. She offers him a temporary sanctuary, providing soup and soda when he is exhausted or afraid. She complains bitterly about the young men ruining the neighborhood with drugs and crime, expressing relief that Eddie has avoided that path.

Norma is a young woman who works at Fresno City College and shows romantic interest in Eddie. She invites him to her apartment building's pool, offering a brief distraction from his stressful life. However, she also delivers disturbing rumors about who actually killed Jesus, complicating Eddie's understanding of the crime.

Juan is Eddie's deceased best friend. He was killed in a freak industrial accident involving a steel roller while working a legitimate job. His death deeply affects Eddie, serving as a constant reminder that trying to live an honest, hardworking life does not guarantee safety.