A 15-year-old boy struggling with intense grief and the strict street guidelines known as "The Rules." Following his brother's murder, he finds a hidden gun and resolves to seek revenge. He steps into his building's elevator, initiating a surreal journey where figures from his past force him to confront the cyclical nature of violence in his community.

Will's older brother who adheres strictly to street survival codes. His sudden murder sets the story in motion and leaves a massive void in his family's life. He survived the neighborhood's harsh realities while maintaining a fiercely protective bond with his younger brother, teaching Will how to suppress his emotions.

Will and Shawn's mother, who suffers from severe eczema that flares up under intense stress. She carries the heavy burden of raising boys in a dangerous environment. She often scratches her skin until it bleeds, creating a physical manifestation of her ongoing anxiety and mourning.

A childhood friend of Shawn's who recently moved to a new neighborhood and joined the Dark Suns gang. He is known for having a loud mouth and a small build, driving his desire to prove his toughness on the streets. Will targets him for revenge based on his gang affiliation and recent aggressive interactions with Shawn.

A deceased street mentor to Shawn who stepped in to look after the boy following Mikey Holloman's death. Raised by a preacher stepfather but influenced by a bank-robber biological father, he lived a life of petty theft before his own violent demise. He originally owned the weapon Will currently carries in his waistband.

Will's childhood crush and first kiss. She was killed by a stray bullet during a drive-by shooting on a playground when they were young children. She brings a perspective of innocence to the elevator, asking difficult questions about the unintended consequences of gun violence.

Mikey Holloman's younger brother. He was a stylish and suave man who dreamed of being a filmmaker and constantly recorded his surroundings. He temporarily turned to selling drugs to replace a lost camera, an action that quickly led to his murder. He forces Will to visualize the full cinematic reality of seeking revenge.

Will and Shawn's father, who died when Will was only three years old. He offers a glimpse into the generational cycles of grief, having been consumed by the desire to avenge his brother Mark's death. He uses extreme, terrifying methods to demonstrate the harsh reality of street justice to his son.

A goofy, pale young man with light brown hair who is heavily involved in the neighborhood's gang initiations. His actions are permanently tied to Buck's fate. His casual attitude toward violence highlights the desensitized nature of the local street culture.

Will's best friend who shares his environment and the instinctive reactions necessary to survive in it. He ducks and hides alongside Will during the shooting, representing the shared trauma of the neighborhood youth.

Shawn's girlfriend. Her visible, vocal grief over his sudden death contrasts sharply with the silent stoicism demanded of the men in the neighborhood by "The Rules."