Gordon is a twelve-year-old boy living in the mill town of Castle Rock. He struggles with feelings of invisibility at home following the death of his older brother, Dennis. A natural storyteller, he entertains his friends with his vivid imagination and seeks an escape from his somber family life through a camping trip to find a missing boy.

Chris is the pragmatic peacemaker of the friend group. He comes from a family with a severe reputation for crime and alcoholism, fostering a deep fear that he will inevitably follow in his abusive father's footsteps. Despite his tough exterior and the town's negative perception of him, he is highly intelligent and acts as a fiercely protective guide for Gordon.

Teddy is a nearsighted, unpredictable boy with a penchant for reckless thrill-seeking. He idolizes his father, a veteran whose severe mental distress led to Teddy's permanent physical disfigurement. Prone to uncontrollable fits of anger, Teddy frequently pushes boundaries by dodging oncoming trains and vehicles.

Vern is the shortest and heaviest member of the friend group, frequently serving as the target of local bullies and his own older brother. He initiates the boys' adventure after secretly overhearing a conversation about a missing boy's corpse. Though often timid and absentminded, he remains a loyal companion on the journey.

Ace is the violent, cruel leader of an older gang of teenagers in Castle Rock. Most younger children and adults go out of their way to avoid crossing his path. He views the younger boys' quest as an opportunity to claim credit and local fame for himself.

Ray is a young boy from Chamberlain who vanished while picking blueberries in the woods. His disappearance prompts a regional search and serves as the catalyst for the boys' journey.

Dennis is Gordon's older brother, a golden child whose recent death in a military vehicle accident shattered their family. He used to read scary stories to Gordon and take him to baseball practice.

Gordon's father is a sixty-three-year-old man completely consumed by grief over his eldest son's death. He expresses quiet disapproval of Gordon's friend group and provides little emotional support to his surviving child.

Gordon's mother is emotionally absent and struggles to function following the tragic loss of her oldest son. Her profound grief leaves little room for attention toward her surviving child.

Chris's father is an abusive alcoholic with a terrible reputation in Castle Rock. His violent tendencies heavily influence Chris's bleak view of his own future.

Eyeball is Chris's older brother and a loyal follower of Ace Merrill. He participates in the gang's intimidation tactics and bullying around Castle Rock.

Teddy's father is a World War II veteran suffering from severe, untreated mental distress. His paranoid delusions caused him to violently burn his son before being institutionalized.

Billy is Vern's older brother. He accidentally initiates the main plot when Vern overhears him discussing a secret discovery in the woods.

Charlie is a local teenager who associates with Billy Tessio and Ace Merrill's rough crowd. He knows the location of Ray Brower.

Milo manages the local dump and guards it with his supposedly terrifying dog. He takes cruel pleasure in mocking the younger boys and insulting their families.

Chopper is Milo Pressman's dog. While local childhood legends paint him as a demonic, bloodthirsty beast, he is actually a rather ordinary, medium-sized dog with a high-pitched bark.

George manages a local market where he attempts to shortchange young customers by resting his thumb on the meat scale.

Fuzzy is a violent teenager and a devoted member of Ace Merrill's crew of hoodlums.

Mrs. Simons is a schoolteacher who exploited Chris's negative family reputation to keep money he attempted to return, ensuring he still received a suspension.

Vince is one of the teenage hoodlums who follows Ace Merrill through Castle Rock.

Jack is another local teenager who runs with the older, more violent crowd led by Ace.

Chico is a fictional protagonist created by Gordon. He is a young man struggling with his brother's death and a strained relationship with his parents.

Jane is a character in Gordon's story who expresses love for Chico, only to be met with his emotional distance.

Virginia is Chico's fictional mother, whom Chico views as overly controlling of his father.

Johnny is Chico's deceased brother in Gordon's fiction, clearly paralleling Gordon's real-life brother Dennis.

Richie is a boy who originally discovered Gordon's secret writings and encouraged him to share them with the group.

Davie, known as Lard Ass, is the fictional protagonist of Gordon's pie-eating contest story. Tired of being bullied for his weight, he orchestrates a massive act of revenge against his entire town.

Bill is a fictional character in Gordon's story who becomes the primary target of Davie Hogan's revenge scheme.