T is a 15-year-old boy with a silent nature and a dark gaze who quickly ascends to leadership within the Wormsley Common Gang. He is the son of a former architect and holds a cold, calculated view of the world. He completely rejects emotions like love and hate in favor of strict philosophical materialism, believing only physical objects hold reality. He develops a keen, destructive interest in the 200-year-old home belonging to Old Misery.

Blackie is the initial leader of the Wormsley Common Gang. He is highly preoccupied with rules, procedures, and maintaining his authority over the neighborhood boys. He harbors a weakness for vanity and cares deeply about the gang's reputation among other local youth groups, prioritizing fame over moral considerations.

Mr. Thomas, known to the local boys as Old Misery, is an elderly former decorator and builder. He lives alone in a historic house that uniquely survived the Blitz, though he relies on an outdoor outhouse because he refuses to pay for indoor plumbing repairs. He holds no ill will toward the neighborhood boys and attempts to establish a peaceful understanding with them.

Mike is the youngest and most easily surprised member of the Wormsley Common Gang. He struggles to be taken seriously by the older boys, who often mock his open-mouthed expression with warnings about frogs jumping down his throat. He wants to be treated as an adult but frequently displays his immaturity.

Summers is a thin, sallow boy in the Wormsley Common Gang who goes exclusively by his last name. While he actively participates in the physical labor ordered by the gang's leadership, he occasionally questions the rationale behind their actions and briefly challenges authority when tasks become too grueling.

An unnamed commercial truck driver who coincidentally parks near Northwood Terrace. He operates his vehicle completely unaware of the activities of the local neighborhood youth or his proximity to their elaborate trap.

Joe is a member of the Wormsley Common Gang who participates in the coordinated destruction inside the 200-year-old house. He follows strict orders and focuses entirely on his specific assignment of heaving up parquet blocks.