Reverie Adams is a college senior at Hollow Canyon University studying to become a victimology advocate for children. Born Charlotte D’Amour, she changed her legal name to escape the shadow of her father, the infamous serial killer known as the Locksmith. Haunted by extreme childhood trauma, including an incident where her mother attempted to drown her, Reverie suffers from debilitating aquaphobia. Despite living in constant fear of her past and managing unwanted public notoriety, she demonstrates defiance and resilience when targeted by those seeking to punish her for her father's crimes.

Dread Sharpe is an Olympic gold-medalist swimmer and the celebrated swim captain at Hollow Canyon University. Formerly known as Kellan Sharpe, he changed his name after the public branded him a liar for testifying truthfully against Lionel D'Amour. Consumed by hatred and grief over the murder of his mother, he orchestrates a years-long campaign of psychological warfare against Reverie. His obsessive desire for revenge increasingly masks a dark and possessive physical attraction to the daughter of his mother's killer.

Lionel D'Amour, known publicly as the serial killer 'The Locksmith,' maintains a facade as a wrongfully convicted, charming family man. He exerts a terrifying psychological hold over his daughter, whom he affectionately calls 'Angel.' Through intense manipulation and cruelty, he previously terrified Reverie into remaining silent about his horrific crimes, preserving his public image at the cost of her childhood.

Sable Vázquez is Reverie's steadfast and fiercely loyal best friend. She works at her family's funeral home, providing Reverie with a safe haven and a sense of normalcy away from the university's hostile environment. Pragmatic and protective, she actively defends Reverie against the escalating threats posed by Dread and his social circle.

Special Agent Barry Jones is an FBI agent who originally investigated the Locksmith case and arrested Lionel D'Amour. Carrying guilt over the destruction of the D'Amour family, he has become a devoted mentor and protector to Reverie. He remains one of the few figures in law enforcement who firmly believes in Lionel's guilt despite a copycat killer complicating the public narrative.

Rogue Cameron is a tattooed, irreverent student at Hollow Canyon University and one of Dread's two closest companions. Bound by a deep loyalty to Dread for saving his life in the past, he willingly participates as an enforcer in the psychological warfare against Reverie.

Severen Fox is a quietly intense student who harbors a surprising passion for romance novels. Alongside Rogue, he serves as a loyal henchman to Dread, eagerly participating in the escalating public torment of Reverie at their university to repay a past debt.

Regina D'Amour is Reverie's late mother. Following a tragic accident involving spilled apple juice that led to a stillbirth, she suffered from severe postpartum psychosis and attempted to drown four-year-old Reverie. Her subsequent death by suicide deeply scars her daughter's life.

Katherine Sharpe is Dread's late mother, who disappeared after going on a date with a man bearing an angel-wing tattoo. Her gruesome murder at the hands of the Locksmith shattered her son's life and set him on a lifelong path of vengeance.

Olive Benderman is a young mother and close friend to Dread. As the daughter of another suspected Locksmith victim, she shares a unique, tragic bond with him, offering him empathy and perspective when his anger threatens to consume him entirely.

Roxi Jenkins is a senior at Hollow Canyon University who connects with Lionel D'Amour through a prison dating app. Believing firmly in his innocence, she becomes his devoted girlfriend and plans a future with him, oblivious to the immense physical danger he poses to women.

Mindy Sackler is a student whose sudden disappearance sends shockwaves through the university. She vanishes after communicating with a fake dating profile named "Charlie Love," an event that sinisterly mirrors Reverie's birth name and draws intense suspicion toward the protagonist.

Octavia is Severen Fox's girlfriend. She is deeply horrified when she learns the true extent of the psychological torment and physical danger her boyfriend has inflicted upon Reverie, forcing her to reevaluate her relationship.

Gabi Loren is a student at Hollow Canyon University who publicly accuses Reverie of being involved in her friend's disappearance, reflecting the public's eagerness to believe the worst about the daughter of a serial killer.

Officer Nichols is a young local police officer tasked with checking on Reverie and ensuring her safety after she receives a threatening note in her dorm room.

Mark is Dread's attorney who handles legal matters for the young Olympic swimmer, including dealing with non-disclosure agreements and managing the fallout of public scandals.

Juniper "Junie" Kelly is Olive Benderman's three-year-old daughter. She bears a middle name honoring Dread, and her innocent presence helps ground him in moments of intense anger.