Victor "Torey" Adams , a senior at the fictional Rothborne, a boarding school, is the narrator of the novel. What begins as mild interest in Chris's disappearance turns into a desire to help solve the mystery Of Chris's disappearance. Torey is conflicted throughout the book between his friends and those who want to help find Chris. At the beginning of the novel Torey is described as "your basic guy" and wears his hair in a ponytail.
Bo Richardson , a tough rebel from the boondocks of Steepleton has "a good guy streak that [is] just as wide, probably wider, than his bad guy streak." He has a mean exterior but cares deeply for his girlfriend Ali McDermott, her brother Greg, and his own siblings. Bo is infuriated with Mrs. Creed for accusing him of the murder of her son, and is determined to prove his innocence. This could be his reason in the novel for investigating Chris’s disappearance.
Christopher "Chris" Creed , the "weird guy" from Steepleton, vanishes after sending an e-mail to Glen Ames, the principal, hinting at running away or suicide.
Isabella Karzden , a laid-back waitress, with whom Chris had an imaginary relationship. She admits to helping Chris lose his virginity but makes it clear when introduced in the novel that she did not have a relationship with him.
Sylvia Creed , Chris Creed’s mother, who accuses Bo Richardson of murdering her son.
Alex Arrington ,is Torey Adam's best friend. He plays football and is in a band with Torey. During the novel he begins to believe that Chris is dead and says to Torey that "{You and Bo] shot him in the woods". This is the instigator of an argument that causes Alex and Torey’s friendship to collapse at the end of the novel.
Leandra , a cute, cheerleader with "long reddish hair" who, at the beginning of the novel, is Torey Adam's girlfriend. She goes to the "Pentecostal church every Sunday," but by "Monday [she is] calling people‘dirtbag’ and ‘turbo slut". Actions like this cause Torey to question their relationship. Later in the novel she and Torey break up because of his involvement with the Christopher Creed case and the friendship with Ali McDermott.
Dr. Fahdi , the appointed psychiatrist that is hired to help Torey Adams after seeing Bob Haines’ body quickly decompose. He urged Torey to write his story and try to find Chris Creed.
Mrs. McDermott ,a mother to Ali and Greg McDermott, who had relationships with many men which caused her divorce.
Leo , a senior who goes to school with Torey and doesn’t care a bout privacy or personal space. He is "just a little sideways" as described by Torey.
Cartright ,a senior prankster who is Torey Adam's roommate at the fictional school Rothborne. He only knows "bits and pieces" of Torey’s story about Chris.
Mr. Creed , father of Chis Creed and husband of Mrs.Creed,
Bob Haines , father of Digger Haines who had "always wanted Digger to go into the Marine Corps". After Digger was unable to join, his life went downhill and later he shot himself in a Lenape burial cave, to be found by Torey Adams.
Digger Haines , son of Bob Haines, who "lost his leg from the knee down" in a motorcycle accident. He left Steepleton and became a lawyer.
Glen Ames , the principal of Steepleton’s high-school and a friend of Digger Haines. He was the recipient of Chris’s goodbye e-mail.
Ali McDermott , a cute cheerleader who is labeled a slut but is actually a loyal friend and is said to be the cause of the break up between Torey and Leandra. She is also the girlfriend of Bo Richardson. She also helped in the case of Christopher Creed.
Renee Bowen , Alex Arrington's girlfriend, also the Police Chief daughter. Very mean girl who always accused and said her dad will throw them in jail.
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