Callie is a 16-year-old Starter living as an unclaimed minor on the streets of Los Angeles after the Spore Wars killed her parents. She acts as the sole guardian for her younger brother and struggles to find safe shelter away from government marshals. Her father taught her firearms training before his death, giving her distinct survival skills. She signs a lucrative contract with Prime Destinations to rent her body to an elderly client in exchange for enough money to house her family.

Tyler is a seven-year-old Starter suffering from a severe respiratory condition. He relies entirely on his sister for basic survival needs like food and shelter. He treasures a few surviving objects from his life before the biological attacks, particularly a toy dogbot and family photographs. He struggles with his sister's long absences but easily forgives her when she returns with supplies.

Helena is a wealthy Ender who rents a teenage body through Prime Destinations. She occupies a sprawling mansion staffed by servants and maintains access to significant funds. Unlike clients who rent bodies merely to relive their youth, she harbors a specific agenda regarding her missing granddaughter. She possesses enough financial resources to offer massive payouts to anyone who assists her plans.

Blake is a wealthy teenager with a small facial scar who frequents high-end social venues. He comes from a powerful political family and enjoys access to private ranches and luxury penthouses. He takes an immediate interest in Callie during a club outing and pursues a relationship with her. He remains ignorant of the exact nature of the body bank contracts.

The Old Man serves as the secretive CEO of Prime Destinations. He obscures his physical appearance using a digital pixel mask and alters his vocal cords with a modulator. He profits from the desperation of unclaimed minors by brokering their bodies to elderly clients. He aggressively pushes legislation to expand his corporate operations.

Michael is an unclaimed minor who survives on the streets alongside the Woodland siblings. He possesses artistic talent and creates hand-drawn portraits when he finds scrap materials. He takes on a protective role over Tyler whenever Callie leaves to secure resources. He harbors romantic feelings for Callie but struggles with his jealousy.

Rhiannon is a 125-year-old Ender renting the flawless body of a teenager named Madison. She enjoys the party scene and happily explains the social dynamics of wealthy clubs to newcomers. She initially acts superficial and focused on entertainment. However, she possesses genuine empathy when confronted with the darker realities of the rental industry.

Sara is a young girl trapped inside a grueling government labor facility. She suffers from a heart condition that exempts her from outdoor manual labor. She desperately hopes the executives from Prime Destinations will select her for a contract so she can escape her miserable living conditions. She displays intense gratitude for small kindnesses.

Lauren is an Ender renting a teenage body under the name Reece. She investigates the body bank after her own grandson suffered negative consequences from their services. She takes a cautious, practical approach to conflict and employs attorneys to handle disputes. She prefers careful planning over rash violence.

Mr. Tinnenbaum operates as a recruiter and middleman for Prime Destinations. He uses high-pressure sales tactics and luxury snacks to persuade desperate teenagers to sign rental contracts. He manages client schedules and enforces company rules regarding bodily use.

Senator Harrison is a prominent politician pushing the Special Circumstances Youth Employment Act. He scrutinizes working-class teenagers with open disdain. He uses his political influence to pass laws that directly benefit the corporate goals of Prime Destinations.

Mrs. Beatty is a severe security leader who runs the incarceration ward at Institution 37. She enforces brutal living standards, denying youths basic hydration and adequate food. She treats the unclaimed minors as disposable property.

Florina is a teenage Starter who shares the same squatting spaces as Callie's group. She occasionally steps in to tend to younger children when they fall ill with fevers. She displays hostility toward newcomers but forms quick bonds with other unclaimed minors.

Redmond is an elderly scientist who possesses deep technical knowledge of corporate microchips. He uses metal plates and specialized equipment to block tracking signals for his clients. He maintains long-standing loyalties to wealthy Enders who oppose Prime Destinations.

Emma is a wealthy teenager who visited Prime Destinations to seek cosmetic physical alterations. Her subsequent disappearance drives her family to investigate the corporation's true practices.

Doris is an Ender employed by Prime Destinations to evaluate and train new teenage recruits. She observes physical abilities and assigns specialized tasks based on a recruit's skill set. She attempts to keep new rentals docile and unquestioning.