The Last Survivors

A determined caretaker who protects Dean, an ailing orphan, in a drought-stricken Oregon. She moves cautiously through a landscape of danger, relying on quick thinking and practical courage. She ultimately makes bold moves, including obtaining a distributor cap and arming herself with a katana to confront Carson's men.

An orphan boy whose kidney failure makes him especially vulnerable in the scarce-water world. Kendal's care for him anchors the moral center of the story and intensifies the stakes of every decision. His frailty and hope propel Kendal toward risking everything for a possible safe future.

A neighbor on a nearby farm who urges Kendal to join him but becomes drawn into the violence around Carson. He and his family are ultimately killed, highlighting the ruthlessness of the surrounding regime. His relationship with Kendal underscores the danger of trust in a world without rules.

A local warlord who promotes a safe haven while controlling a fortified compound and the water supply. He kills those deemed too old or infirm to save, revealing a chilling utilitarian worldview. His siege on Kendal's world embodies the central antagonist force driving the conflict.

Kendal's neighbor who, after her own well runs dry, heeds Carson's offer and contemplates joining him. Her decision reflects the desperation that pervades the community and foreshadows the difficult choices many characters must make. Her arc illustrates how scarcity can erode loyalty and community bonds.

A young boy who lives independently and forms a cautious, tense relationship with Kendal. He seeks to survive on his own, yet is drawn into the larger conflict when Carson's forces threaten the area. His predicament emphasizes the vulnerability of children in a lawless, resource-scarce world.

Carson's daughter who fights Kendal during the climactic confrontation and nearly defeats her. She is ultimately killed by Kendal, marking a pivotal and tragic turn in the pursuit of control over the water and the means of escape.