An 87-year-old former college professor who survived a devastating global pandemic 60 years prior. He functions as the last living connection to the industrialized, pre-plague society. He feels isolated in his current hunter-gatherer existence and frequently expresses frustration at his grandsons' lack of understanding regarding the past.

A young goatherd perfectly adapted to the postapocalyptic California wilderness. He wears animal skins and easily fells small game with his bow. Though he views his grandfather's stories of the past with some skepticism, he displays a genuine curiosity about concepts like money and numbers.

A large, physically imposing man who works as a chauffeur before the Scarlet Death. He views the collapse of civilization as a liberating reversal of fortunes. He relies on physical intimidation to establish authority over others, punishing those who once held higher social status.

One of Smith's grandsons, descended from the "Chauffeur Tribe." He works as a goatherd and fisherman along the coast. He holds no respect for the world before the plague and demands his grandfather speak in plain terms rather than using elaborate vocabulary.

Another of Smith's grandsons who passes his time herding goats near San José. He shares Hare-Lip's rough disposition and finds immense amusement in his grandfather's physical discomfort. He views the past as entirely irrelevant to his current survival needs.

A woman who belongs to the wealthy elite prior to the pandemic. She lives a life insulated by immense wealth through her marriage to a powerful magnate. Following the collapse of society, she loses her social standing entirely and is forced into a life of harsh manual labor.

A millionaire magnate who holds immense economic and political power before the outbreak. He owns a sprawling summer palace on the San Francisco Bay and represents the extreme wealth concentration of 2013 America.

A student at the University of California, Berkeley. She is the first person Smith witnesses contracting the disease, showing the terrifying speed at which the infection operates.

The president of the university where Smith teaches. When the pandemic reaches the school, he abandons his leadership responsibilities out of fear for his own safety.

An upper-class man who manages to outlive the initial wave of the disease. He eventually joins the Santa Rosan tribe and helps repopulate the region.

A colleague of Smith's at the university who shows signs of exhaustion from defending his home against prowlers. He joins the group attempting to quarantine in the chemistry building.

A woman who seeks refuge at the chemistry building alongside her doctor husband. She quickly contracts the plague, showing the futility of their isolation efforts.

An academic who joins the defense efforts during the campus quarantine. He falls victim to armed prowlers rather than the disease itself.

A survivor who leaves the campus with Smith to find a vehicle. He is shot through the head by an armed prowler before he can secure transport.

One of the final three people left in Smith's immediate group as they flee toward Niles. He succumbs to the disease shortly after they abandon the city.

A survivor who manages to reach Niles with Smith before falling victim to the plague. His death leaves Smith entirely alone in the world.