Manny is a fourteen-year-old orphan living on the dangerous streets of Juárez, Mexico. Small for his age with red hair and long eyelashes, he is a frequent target for bullies and human traffickers. He survives through intense observation and quick reflexes, frequently telling lies to gain sympathy. Desperation drives his plan to cross the dry riverbed of the Rio Grande into Texas to find work and stability.

Sergeant Robert Locke is a disciplined US Army soldier stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Behind his flawless uniform and strict military posture, he suffers from severe emotional trauma related to his past combat deployments. On his nights off, he travels to the Club Congo Tiki in Juárez, systematically drinking whiskey to suppress the haunting memories of his dead comrades.

Maria is a cook at a local Juárez eatery called the Two-by-Four. She keeps her dark hair in a thick braid while grilling tortillas. Unlike most people in the hardened border town, she maintains a sense of compassion and realism, occasionally slipping food to the homeless children despite the risks to her own employment.

Pacho is a large, aggressive boy who lives on the streets of Juárez. He uses his superior physical size and strength to intimidate smaller children and steal their money. When a tourist throws a dollar bill, Pacho brutally beats Manny to take the cash.