Madie Beartri: The leader of the Bear Country gang, based at Bear Country High School. She keeps a diary documenting everything happening in and around Bear Country. Madie is responsible, strategic, and deeply cares for her people, often bearing the weight of leadership on her shoulders.
Matt Barrett: Jonas’ twin brother. A key member of Bear Country and Madie’s close ally. Matt develops a bond with Hemy, Xavier’s sister, and stays behind to help her after the fall of Xavier’s rule.
Jonas Barrett: Matt’s twin brother and another important member of Bear Country.
Tony Marshall: A quiet, resourceful member of Bear Country who lives in the basement in his workshop. He is exceptionally skilled at fixing things, and although he tends to keep to himself, Tony has a paternal side, especially when it comes to looking after the Runt (Victor) a boy found abandoned on the steps of Bear Country.
The Runt (Victor Steele): A small but brave boy who looks up to Tony. He has a close bond with Sam, his best friend.
Sam (Samantha “Sam” Crowley): Known as the “queen of the gutter rats,” Sam is the Runt’s best friend. Sam is fearless and resourceful.
Hemy (Hemera Boulder): Xavier’s sister, who does not agree with his brutal methods. Hemy becomes an ally of Matt and Bear Country, working from the inside to overthrow her brother and give Central back to the people. After Xavier’s fall, Hemy assumes leadership of Central, intending to hold a legitimate election.
Xavier (Xavier Boulder): The leader of the Central Bobcats, a tyrant who rules with fear. He is known for being cruel and ruthless, with no remorse for his actions.
Sheriff Pete (Peter “Pete” McAllister): The sheriff of Bear Country, responsible for maintaining security. He takes pride in his role.
The Deputies: Newly appointed members of Bear Country’s security force, chosen by Sheriff Pete to help protect the community. They assist Pete in escorting Xavier and his goons out of town and maintain order during the festival.
Casey Reynolds: A new member of Bear Country who gives birth to a baby girl named Aleece.
Aleece Reynolds: The newborn daughter of Casey, a symbol of hope and new life in Bear Country. Though just a baby, Aleece represents the future of Bear Country.
Owen Callahan: The leader of the West End Wolfpack gang, an ally of Bear Country. He is practical and not fond of unnecessary violence, but he understands the need to take down Xavier for the greater good. Owen is strategic and a loyal leader.
Marty Hale, Gretchen Ward, and Cecilia Price (The Library Trio): Three members of Bear Country who spend their days in the media center, often engaged in research. They are quiet and secretive but hold a wealth of knowledge that can be valuable when needed. Though they may appear aloof, their loyalty to Bear Country is strong.
Lisa Morgan: A quiet but talented musician in Bear Country. She often practices her guitar on the roof, using her music as a way to cope with the hardships around her. Though she tries to keep her songs light and happy, there’s an underlying sadness to her music that reflects the pain of their reality.
Evan Turner and John Thomas “J.T.” Lawson: The duo who run The Bear News, a local newspaper in Bear Country. Their work is highly regarded, and they are known for their creativity, especially in designing flyers and posters. They play a key role in spreading information throughout the community and helping to advertise events.
Max Granger: A member of the Central Bobcats who patrols the Plaza. He is one of Xavier’s goons, known for intimidating traders and asserting Central’s dominance over the market. Max enjoys wielding power and contributes to the hostile atmosphere at the Plaza.
Luke Foster: Owen’s loyal lieutenant in the West End Wolfpack. Luke is a man of few words, but his actions speak volumes. He is always at Owen’s side during important moments, trusted with critical responsibilities during their missions. He is a reliable fighter and a steady presence in the gang.
The Central Bobcats: Xavier’s group of thugs who maintain control of the Central campus through fear and violence. They are loyal to Xavier and take pleasure in enforcing his brutal rule. The goons are responsible for terrorizing neighboring communities, raiding resources, and capturing boys like the Runt for their fighting tournaments.
The Wolfpack and Southside Serpents Members: The other members of Owen’s and Kara’s gangs.
The Plaza Traders: A group of individuals from various gangs who run the open market at the Plaza. They are skilled in bartering and trading, often dealing with both valuable and scavenged goods. Life is tough for the traders, as they are constantly harassed by Xavier’s goons.
The Pharmacy Dealer: A shady character who runs a small operation inside the rundown mall at the Plaza. He sells both street drugs and occasionally legitimate medications. Sam and the Runt encounter him when they are searching for antibiotics to help Tony.
The Lost Boys: A group of young boys, including the Runt, who were captured by the Central Bobcats. They were forced to fight in wrestling tournaments for Xavier’s amusement, living in cages under brutal conditions.
The Festival Musicians: A collection of singers and musicians from Bear Country and other gangs, who come together to perform during the annual festival. They provide a sense of joy and normalcy amidst the chaos of their world, offering a temporary escape through music.
The Gutter Rats are a group of streetwise children who have been forced to survive on the streets of Bear Country and the surrounding areas. They are known for their uncanny ability to blend into the shadows and pickpocket without being noticed.
Kara Donovan: The leader of the Southside Serpents gang. Kara is a strong, focused fighter who values her people and isn’t afraid to act when necessary. She trusts her second-in-command, Jenna.
Jenna Blake: Kara’s second-in-command in the Southside Serpents. Calm and composed, Jenna is trusted by Kara and has been with the gang for years. She is a steady presence during high-stress situations and helps keep Kara grounded.
BrettCollins: The leader of the North Street Guardians gang, another ally of Bear Country. Brett is a man of action who prefers to hit fast and hard.