Heather is a teenager living in Pantown who works at the deli counter in Zayre Shoppers City. She plays drums in a three-piece band called The Girls alongside her best friends. Due to her mother's illness, Heather assumes heavy caretaking responsibilities for her family, particularly her younger sister Junie. She hides a scarred ear resulting from a childhood accident and feels uncertain as her friends begin maturing faster than she does.

Beth is a high-school senior who works as a waitress in St. Cloud. She plans to attend the University of California-Berkeley to become a teacher against her parents' wishes. Following a shift at the diner, she is abducted by a newcomer to town. Trapped in a dark root cellar, she must rely on her resourcefulness to plan an escape.

Maureen is the bold and fierce bassist for The Girls. She lives in Pantown with her mother, Gloria, in an increasingly cluttered home. Maureen embraces her emerging sexuality and seeks attention from older boys and men. Her willingness to push boundaries sometimes places her in precarious, secretive situations.

Brenda provides the vocals and lead guitar for The Girls. She is naturally nurturing and serves as a grounding force for the trio. Despite her serene exterior, she struggles with her self-worth and seeks companionship to avoid feeling alone. This desire for connection leads her to spend time with older, aggressive peers.

Theodore, who insists on being called Ed, is a newcomer to the Pantown area. He slicks back his hair, wears a leather jacket, and acts significantly older than the teenagers he surrounds himself with. He holds a disturbing degree of influence over the local boys and exhibits predatory behavior toward women.

Gary is Heather and Junie's father and the District Attorney for St. Cloud. He works long hours and relies entirely on Heather to manage their household and care for his ill wife. He presents himself as a pillar of the community and a dedicated lawman, though he expects unquestioning loyalty from his family.

Jerome Nillson is the unmarried Sheriff of Pantown. He is a physically imposing man who serves as the sole arbiter of justice in the community. He commands absolute authority and is quick to shut down rumors or investigations that threaten the town's quiet reputation or his own private affairs.

Junie is Heather's preteen younger sister. She has red hair and freckles. Eager to grow up, she frequently studies her older sister's friends to learn how to flirt and apply makeup. Her innocence sharply contrasts with the adult attention she sometimes receives from men in the community.

Constance is Heather and Junie's mother. She possesses striking beauty with porcelain skin and blue eyes. A severe mental health condition makes her behavior unpredictable and often leaves her confined to her bedroom. Her illness forces her daughters to walk on eggshells and assume domestic duties.

Gloria is Maureen's mother and a former close friend of Constance Cash. Following a traumatic period in her past, she developed hoarding tendencies and let her home fall into disarray. She harbors deep bitterness toward Pantown and its residents, often behaving erratically.

Ricky is a charismatic teenager with brown hair and hazel eyes. He works alongside Heather at the Zayre Shoppers City deli. Raised in a volatile household, he uses his good looks to charm the local girls but possesses a harsh, aggressive streak that he reveals behind closed doors.

Ant is Ricky's closest friend. He has striking blue eyes, one slightly larger than the other. He constantly seeks approval from older, more dominant figures like Ed. His desperation for attention makes him easily swayed into crossing boundaries with the girls in his social circle.

Claude is a tall, dependable local boy who resembles the teen idol Robby Benson. He works at the local deli with Heather and provides a safe, steady presence in her life. Unlike many of his peers, he comes from a stable home and maintains a respectful attitude toward his female friends.

Ryan Gulliver is an agent with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. As an outsider to Pantown, he brings an objective perspective to the local investigations. He coordinates with the St. Cloud law enforcement to track incoming criminals.