The Line

A sophomore who longs to leave home and return to the fraternity, Tom navigates mounting peer pressure and a growing moral crisis. He starts dating Annabelle and becomes involved in the hazing rituals, torn between loyalty to friends and doing what’s right. He ultimately confesses to Annabelle about Gettys' death, signaling a shift toward personal accountability, though the damage lingers. By the end, Tom tries to rebuild his life away from the frathouse culture.

Tom's best friend and roommate, a wealthy and connected member whose volatile temperament drives the hazing culture. His influence helps orchestrat e the lake retreat and intimidates others into going along with dangerous rituals. He resists accountability and remains largely unchanged by the aftermath, embodying privilege unchecked by consequence.

A principled pledge who rejects the hazing and becomes a target of the sophomores’ cruelty. His defiance during the rituals precipitates the brutal escalation that ends in his death. Gettys' fate acts as the catalyst that unravels the frathouse's façade and exposes the lethal costs of group pressure.

A studious classmate who captures Tom's attention and becomes the emotional anchor of the story. She represents a conscience within Tom's world and ultimately rebuffs his confession, highlighting the personal costs of the frathouse culture. Her presence forces Tom to confront truth and consequences beyond the chase of social belonging.

KNA's president who tries to manage the crisis by enforcing warnings and delegating leadership to Tom. He embodies a leadership style that fails to curb hazing until tragedy strikes, illustrating the limits of institutional control in a culture of secrecy. Todd's actions underscore the tension between tradition and accountability.