Charlotte is a 17-year-old girl struggling with selective mutism and heavy emotional trauma. After surviving homelessness, abuse, and the loss of her father, she finds temporary stability at the Creeley Center. She uses drawing and charcoal to process her feelings when words fail her. Her scars cover her arms and thighs, reflecting a long history of using broken glass for release.

Mikey is a college student living in Tucson, Arizona, and playing in a band. He grew up in the same troubled environment as Charlotte and Ellis but moved away to establish a stable life. He maintains a clean lifestyle away from drugs and tries to provide Charlotte with practical support.

Riley is a 27-year-old cook and former musician living in a cluttered bungalow in Tucson. He claims his musical career ended as a standard rock-and-roll disappointment. He suffers from alcohol and drug addiction, exhibiting withdrawal symptoms at work while using his charm to deflect attention from his problems.

Blue is a resident at the Creeley Center who struggles with old patterns of destructive behavior. She holds onto anger over her personal life and frequently challenges the other girls in therapy. Despite her abrasive exterior, she genuinely wants to achieve recovery.

Ellis is Charlotte's former best friend from high school. She suffered from an eating disorder and engaged in risky behaviors before a severe self-inflicted injury caused her to suffer permanent brain damage. She currently resides in a care home in Idaho.

Casper, formally known as Doc Stinson, is the quiet but observant therapist at the group home. She teaches the girls healthy ways to process their emotional pain, such as snapping rubber bands and engaging in repetitive motion. She attempts to help Charlotte find the words to explain her trauma.

Misty is Charlotte's mother. Following the suicide of her husband, she lost her ability to cope and became physically abusive toward her daughter. She recognizes her inability to provide a safe home but remains distant and emotionally closed off.

Louisa is Charlotte's roommate at the group home. Her body bears orderly patterns of burn marks, and she completely avoids speaking during group therapy. She prefers to write her life story into neat stacks of notebooks kept under her bed.

Linus is an employee at True Grit who maintains a motherly watch over the staff. She is in recovery for alcoholism and uses her past experiences to show kindness to those struggling around her. She frequently covers for the chaotic elements of the coffeehouse operations.

Julia is the owner of True Grit and Riley's sister. She carries the stress of running a financially unstable business while trying to manage her brother's erratic behavior and protect her younger employees.

Ariel is Mikey's landlord and an established artist in Tucson. She keeps her home filled with sad, expressive paintings and attempts to connect with Charlotte by inviting her to sit in on free art classes.

Tanner is a waitperson at the True Grit coffeehouse who is concurrently training to become an EMT. He maintains a friendly, easygoing presence in the chaotic restaurant environment.

Felix is an older artist living in a quiet retreat in Santa Fe. He provides a calm, pressure-free environment for young people to heal, suggesting that they must assemble their broken pieces in a new way without rushing the process.

Evan is a homeless boy from Charlotte's time on the streets. Though he suffers from asthma and drug addiction, he intervened to protect Charlotte from being assaulted in an alley.

Frank is a dangerous individual who operated a sex house and preyed on vulnerable runaways. His threats of violence pushed Charlotte to her breaking point, causing her to flee in terror.

DannyBoy is a friend from Charlotte and Mikey's past. He struggled alongside them during their difficult early years but eventually achieves sobriety and finds work caring for the elderly.

Dump is a homeless boy who spent time on the streets with Charlotte and Evan. He participated in protecting Charlotte from an assault in an alley.

Devvie is an assistant working in Felix's art studio. She maintains a quiet presence while completing her tasks.

Bunny is a willowy blonde college student in Tucson. She maintains a kind and friendly demeanor, though her presence makes Charlotte feel like an outsider.