Dylan is a sixteen-year-old boy recently kicked out of his home by his mother. He survives on the cold city streets by begging and creating theories about human behavior to give himself a sense of control over his environment. Though hungry and desperate, he actively avoids drugs and sex work, priding himself on his independence and separation from the darker elements of street life. He cares deeply for his younger brothers and hopes to protect them from afar.

Jenna is a fourteen-year-old homeless girl who begs for change outside a church, though she tells people she is almost sixteen. She works under the control of a local street boss who takes her earnings. New to the streets like Dylan, she relies on her appearance and youth to garner sympathy from passersby, often spending her remaining money on fast food for herself and her friends.

Twitch is an energetic, illiterate eighteen-year-old boy who has lived on the streets for four years. He frequently uses drugs and trades sexual favors to secure warm places to sleep and money for his addiction. Despite his erratic behavior, he seeks Dylan's approval and friendship, often following him around the city.

Amber is an older street kid who works as a sex worker. She has a tough exterior, often cursing and projecting aggression to keep others at a distance. When Dylan first arrived on the streets, she took him in and taught him the unspoken rules of begging and survival, though they have since drifted apart due to Dylan's discomfort with her profession.

Vulture is a street boss and pimp who preys on vulnerable, newly homeless teenagers. He provides protection, food, and shelter in exchange for absolute control over his workers' earnings and bodies. He constantly attempts to recruit Dylan into his operation and intensely dislikes anyone who resists his authority.

Dylan's mother is an irresponsible parent who frequently moves her children to avoid paying rent. She prioritizes her romantic relationships over her children, ultimately kicking Dylan out when he refuses to lie to her new boyfriend about his brothers' parentage. She avoids dealing with problems by cutting people out of her life entirely.

Glen is the president of a technology company located in the building where Dylan begs. He notices Dylan outside his office and takes an interest in the teenager, offering him food, conversation, and encouragement to attend an alternative computer school. He tries to help Dylan without being overly forceful.

Ainsley is a former street kid in her mid-twenties who now works as a volunteer at the local youth center. She is studying to become a social worker. She carries physical scars from her time on the streets but uses her past experiences to relate to the youth and offer them resources without preaching.

Micha is Dylan's youngest brother. He looks up to Dylan immensely, often relying on him for comfort when he experiences nightmares. Micha is Black, and his father was kicked out by Dylan's mother years prior to protect her welfare assistance.

Jordan is Dylan's middle brother. Dylan worries constantly about Jordan falling into bad habits or running with a rough crowd in his absence, leading Dylan to bluff about having eyes and ears everywhere to keep Jordan in line.

Dan is the new man in Dylan's mother's life. He inadvertently prompts Dylan's exile from the house, as Dylan's mother wants to hide the true parentage of her children from him. He takes on a fatherly role with Micha and Jordan in Dylan's absence.

Brad is an older man in his forties who brings street teens like Twitch to his apartment. He offers a warm place to sleep, coffee, and a shower in exchange for sexual favors, a transactional arrangement that quickly disgusts Dylan.

Lurch is a muscular man with a shaved head, army boots, and a skull tattoo on his neck. He has a criminal record and acts as muscle on the streets. He tries to recruit Dylan and uses explicit threats to establish dominance in places like the youth center.

Mr. Crowe is the computer teacher at Dylan's former high school. He suspects Dylan is lying about his living situation and presses him for details, showing concern for his missing student. He also volunteers at an alternative computer school on weekends.