Constance is a widow and the author of the bestselling fantasy series *Alphinland*, which she originally created to support her poet boyfriend. She utilizes her fictional world-building as a psychological retreat from reality, preferring the safety of her imagination over the pressures of her grown sons who want her to downsize. She maintains her independence while struggling with the isolation of her husband's passing.

Gavin is a celebrated poet and university professor who has a pattern of marrying his much-younger graduate students. He harbors deep resentment toward his ex-girlfriend Constance's commercial writing success while simultaneously longing for the days they spent together in cramped quarters. He acts spiteful toward those around him as his physical and emotional health deteriorates.

Jorrie is an aging, extravagant woman who lives with her twin brother in a deeply co-dependent arrangement. She carries bitterness over her past and enjoys attending funerals to critique the deceased. She strongly believes that Gavin Putnam's most famous poem, "Dark Lady," was written about her during their brief affair.

A young woman who develops a severe physical deformity and illness following a childhood case of the measles. Hidden away from the world by parents who fake her death to avoid social stigma, she spends her days reading and her nights roaming the house. Despite her grim circumstances, she maintains a surprisingly optimistic and gentle disposition.

Jack is the author of the highly successful horror novel *The Dead Hand Loves You*. During his college years, he signed away a percentage of his future profits to his roommates just to avoid eviction. Now a wealthy author, he bitterly regrets the contract he made as a lazy student and contemplates extreme methods to free himself from the financial burden of his old friends.

Verna is a wealthy older woman who takes a specialized Arctic cruise. She has spent her adulthood accumulating money through multiple marriages to insulate herself from the world. Viewing men with deep distrust, she uses this vacation specifically to track down a former classmate who wronged her during their high school years.

Wilma is a resident of the Ambrosia Manor nursing home who is gradually losing her vision to macular degeneration. Due to Charles Bonnet's syndrome, she frequently observes cheerful, well-dressed hallucinations dancing in her room. As her sight fails, she relies on her fellow residents to interpret the physical world while a youth-led protest movement gathers outside the facility.

Sam is an antique store owner who procures his merchandise by bidding on abandoned storage units. After his marriage crumbles, he throws himself into an auction, seeking shelter and profit in equal measure. He is deeply concerned with how others perceive him and shows a reckless curiosity when he uncovers grim secrets in his newly purchased units.

Charis is an older woman who experiences vivid dreams about a deceased former friend. She is somewhat naive and relies heavily on her protective social circle to manage conflicts. When her ex-boyfriend moves in next door, she turns to her dreams and her recently adopted dog for guidance and safety.

Tin is a mild-mannered, well-read man who lives with his twin sister. He acts as her primary support system and protector, a dynamic established during their difficult childhood when he had to defend her from the men their mother brought home. He is highly perceptive of his sister's flaws but remains fiercely loyal to her.

Reynolds is Gavin Putnam's third wife, a former graduate student who is significantly younger than him. She acts as both spouse and caretaker, managing his schedule and expressing frustration over his declining physical state.

Tobias is a resident of the Ambrosia Manor nursing home who acts as Wilma's eyes as her vision fails. He closely monitors the escalating anti-elderly protests outside the facility and devises strategies to keep himself and Wilma safe when the situation deteriorates.

Naveena is a young graduate student conducting academic research. While she initially appears to be studying Gavin Putnam's poetry, her true academic focus lies elsewhere, causing friction with the aging poet.

Bob is a passenger on an Arctic cruise who assumes an unearned familiarity with Verna. Oblivious to the deep resentment she harbors against him from their shared high school years, he approaches their reunion with casual entitlement.

Roz is one of Charis's close, protective friends. Distrustful of Charis's ex-boyfriend Billy, she actively tries to shield Charis from harm, even offering to hire a private investigator to uncover his background.

Tony is a friend to Charis and Roz who participates in safeguarding Charis's isolated lifestyle. She shares Roz's deep mistrust of the men who enter Charis's life and helps maintain a constant supportive presence.

Zenia is a deceased woman who caused significant romantic turmoil for Charis, Roz, and Tony while she was alive. Despite her past betrayals, she now manifests in Charis's dreams to deliver warnings about impending threats.

Ewan is Constance's late husband. Though he has passed away, Constance routinely hears his voice in the house and relies on his imagined presence to encourage her during difficult tasks.

The deceased mother of Jorrie and Tin. After losing her husband in the war, she heavily consumed alcohol and brought a series of men into the family home, forcing her children to rely entirely on each other.

The mother of the Unnamed Narrator. Yielding to social pressures regarding her daughter's physical illness, she chooses to pretend the girl died rather than face public judgment.

The father of the Unnamed Narrator. He actively participates in the deception that his daughter died, locking her away from the rest of society.

Sam's wife, who abruptly kicks him out of their home during adverse weather. She dismisses his verbal declarations of love, insisting that actions matter more than words.

The sole employee at Sam's antique store. He serves as a reliable sounding board when Sam finds himself suddenly homeless.

A woman who attempts to buy back a specific storage unit from Sam at double the price. She harbors a grim secret regarding the contents hidden inside.

Jack's former college roommate and the primary object of his romantic interest at the time. She unwittingly served as the inspiration for the protagonist in his horror novel.

One of Jack's former college roommates who holds a share of his book profits. He maintains a casual relationship with Jack through regular rounds of golf.

Charis's ex-boyfriend who mysteriously returns to rent the apartment right next to hers. He previously ran off with her former friend Zenia and remains highly untrusted by Charis's protective social circle.

A dog adopted specifically to ensure Charis does not have to walk alone at night. She provides an immediate physical defense against perceived threats to her owner.

Wilma's daughter, who attempts to monitor her mother's declining health from afar. She provides Wilma with binoculars in a well-intentioned but unhelpful attempt to assist with her failing sight.