Rachel is a formerly enslaved mother who flees Providence plantation in 1834 after realizing the new apprenticeship system is merely a continuation of slavery. Her primary drive is to locate the five surviving children stolen from her and sold across the Caribbean. She is tall, resilient, and deeply motivated by maternal love. As she travels from Barbados to British Guiana and Trinidad, she acts as a nurturing figure to those she encounters.

Mary Grace is one of Rachel's stolen daughters. She is skilled in sewing and communicates entirely through gestures and facial expressions, choosing not to speak as a means of psychological protection. She possesses a calming presence and offers grounding support to her mother during their travels.

Nobody is a self-liberated ship hand and a gifted storyteller with extensive knowledge of the sea and Caribbean waterways. Despite his worldly travels and outward confidence, he carries a deep sense of displacement due to being severed from his own family. He joins Rachel's search, providing practical knowledge of the water and protection.

Mama B is an elderly woman who acts as a protector and mother figure to fugitives from slavery in Barbados. Living on an abandoned tobacco plantation, she possesses an intuitive understanding of people's deepest desires and teaches a philosophy regarding the connection between all living things.

Micah is Rachel's oldest son and the first of her children to be taken from her. He was sold to a plantation in Demerara. Tall, intelligent, and thirsty for freedom, Micah maintains a friendly demeanor despite the harsh conditions of his enslavement.

Thomas Augustus is the last child stolen from Rachel, sold to a plantation in Demerara. He is fiercely protective of his independence and focuses entirely on surviving in the present moment, cautious about the precarious nature of life in the Caribbean.

Cherry Jane is Rachel's daughter. Described as beautiful with light skin and hair, she was last recorded living in Bridgetown, Barbados, before her whereabouts became unknown. Rachel searches the wealthy and working-class districts of the Caribbean hoping to locate her.

Mercy is one of Rachel's missing daughters. She is held at Perseverance Plantation in Trinidad. Tall with short hair like her mother, Mercy is heavily pregnant and struggling under the cruelty of the plantation's overseer, grieving the loss of her beloved.

Elvira is a mixed-race woman who co-owns a clothing shop with her husband, Joseph. Born to an enslaved African woman, Elvira was taught sewing at a young age before gaining her freedom. She offers Rachel work and a safe haven, forming a bond over their shared histories.

Joseph is a freeman and business owner in Bridgetown who purchased his wife Elvira's freedom before they bought their shop. Though outwardly cold and concerned with maintaining his family's respectability, he holds strong anti-slavery convictions and maintains an organized, cluttered study where he keeps vital records.

Hope is a sex worker and fugitive from slavery living in Bridgetown. Years earlier, she received help from Mama B. She provides a temporary, safe place for Rachel and Mama B to stay while they search the town.

Albert is the barman at the Georgetown tavern where Rachel seeks lodging. Formerly enslaved, he trains Rachel in tavern operations and offers her supportive encouragement in her search for her children.

Tobias is the prim, thin landlord and owner of the tavern in Georgetown. He relocated his business to start fresh and allows Rachel, Mary Grace, and Nobody to work for their room and board, though he frequently threatens Rachel with exposure to authorities.

Nuno is an orphaned Akawaio boy living on the streets of Georgetown after the deaths of his parents. Familiar with the Demerara River and local Indigenous languages, he receives food and temporary shelter from Rachel.

Orion is an enslaved man at Bellevue who knew Rachel's son, Micah. He serves as a vital source of information regarding Micah's time at the plantation and the local resistance efforts.

Quamina is an Akan fugitive living in a liberation settlement deep in the forest. He acts as a guard and guide for the village, welcoming new arrivals and keeping his ancestral memory alive through traditional songs.

Tituba is an Indigenous woman married to Quamina. She resides in the liberation settlement and shares a common linguistic background with Nuno, forming a quick connection with the young boy.

Thornhill is the cruel, sadistic overseer at Perseverance Plantation in Trinidad. He uses violence and intimidation to control the enslaved population, taking specific pleasure in causing physical harm to those he commands.

Cato is an enslaved man at Perseverance Plantation and the father of Mercy's child. He and Mercy share a deep bond at the plantation before attempting to escape.

Artemis is a woman finding shelter at Mama B's refuge. She recognizes Rachel's face due to her resemblance to Mary Grace, providing the crucial lead that directs Rachel to Bridgetown.

Tamerlane is Mama B's brother. Reunited with his sister after years of separation, his story gives Rachel hope that scattered families can find one another again despite the passage of time.

Abraham is an enslaved man at Perseverance Plantation in Trinidad. He provides Rachel with essential background information about Mercy's situation and the overseer's actions, observing the movements on the plantation carefully.

MacLean is a red-haired overseer from Providence Plantation. He actively searches for Rachel after she runs away, representing the constant threat of capture that follows fugitives.

Captain Grafton is a white ship captain whose life Nobody saved during a mutiny years prior. He repays this debt by providing Nobody and Rachel with a vital lead regarding a man named Braithwaite.