Brandon is a nine-year-old boy in New York City who goes to work with his dad at the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001. Taz is an American soldier deployed in Afghanistan in 2019 who sustains injuries during an ambush. Their experiences link across decades, focusing on physical survival and the responsibility they bear toward others in dangerous environments.

Reshmina is an 11-year-old girl living in a remote Afghan village in 2019. She values her education and actively practices English, hoping to work as a translator or teacher instead of accepting an early marriage. Her adherence to local customs of hospitality places her family at great risk when she chooses to shelter a wounded outsider.

Pasoon is Reshmina's twin brother. He rejects formal schooling and enjoys the social freedom afforded to boys in his village. Influenced by older teenagers, he channels his grief over his sister's death into a deep hatred for the American military presence, pushing him toward militant groups.

Leo Chavez is the kitchen manager at Windows on the World, a restaurant located on the 107th floor of the North Tower. He is a dedicated single parent who has raised his son alone for five years following his wife's death. He prioritizes discipline and unity, constantly reinforcing that he and his son navigate life as an inseparable pair.

Richard works in a management position at Cosmos Services in the North Tower. He acts as a calming, paternal presence during the chaos in the World Trade Center, frequently prioritizing the safety of others over his immediate escape. He recognizes the vulnerability of those separated from their families and steps in to provide physical and emotional support.

Baba is the father of Reshmina and Pasoon. Living in a high-conflict area, he constantly navigates the demands of rival military forces while trying to keep his family intact. He adheres to cultural traditions of hospitality and refuses to participate in the local poppy trade, despite financial pressures.

Mor is the mother of Reshmina and Pasoon. Shaped by decades of conflict and personal loss, she maintains a highly practical and fearful approach to daily life. She actively discourages her daughter's grand ambitions, believing that drawing attention from either foreign armies or local militants brings only destruction.

Hila is the deceased older sister of Reshmina and Pasoon. She was killed by an American drone strike on the day of her wedding, leaving a permanent emotional scar on her family. Her death serves as the primary justification for her brother's growing radicalization.

Miriam is an Afghan woman from Kabul who works as a professional translator for foreign military forces. Her presence in the village shocks the local residents, serving as a rare, visible example of an independent working woman in a highly restricted society.

Darwesh is a 14-year-old boy from the village who has joined the Taliban. He actively influences younger children, promising them financial rewards and adult status if they assist in anti-American operations.

Amaan is another 14-year-old local boy who has recently aligned with the Taliban. He works in tandem with his friend Darwesh to pressure younger boys into taking up arms, manipulating their anger over civilian casualties.

Carter is an American soldier participating in operations within Afghanistan. He exhibits a hardened, militaristic approach to the occupation, unquestioningly calling in destructive airstrikes when tactical situations escalate.

Stuart is a schoolmate of the protagonist in New York. His decision to steal a pair of Wolverine gloves triggers a physical altercation, serving as the catalyst for the school suspension that places the main characters in the World Trade Center.

Talisha is the wife of Richard. While she is safely removed from the immediate destruction of the North Tower, her presence represents the desperate families waiting for news of their loved ones trapped in the disaster.

Marzia is the older sister of Reshmina and Pasoon. Nearing her sixteenth birthday, she is preparing to enter a traditional marriage, embodying the restrictive cultural path her younger sister desperately hopes to avoid.

Zahir is the infant brother of Reshmina and Pasoon. He represents the youngest and most vulnerable generation of the family, requiring constant protection from the erratic violence surrounding their village.