The Rocket

A devoted mother who defies an ancient curse by protecting her surviving twin. Her secret marriage of love and sacrifice drives the family's decisions and sets the emotional core of the story. Mali's quiet courage ends in tragedy, underscoring the costs of choosing life over superstition.

Mali's mother-in-law, a staunch keeper of tradition who believes in the curse of twins. She pushes for ruthless outcomes to preserve the family's 'honor' and to protect their future in a transforming landscape. Her confrontations reveal the clash between ancestral beliefs and modern necessity.

Ahlo and Mali's father, pragmatic and protective, he wrestles with modernization and his children's fate. He seeks stability by relocating the family and supports Ahlo’s dream in the face of fear and doubt. His decisions push the family toward a precarious but hopeful future.

The resilient twin at the story's center, deemed cursed yet determined to claim his own destiny. He is inventive, curious, and fearless in pursuing a brighter future for his family. His rocket dream becomes a personal rebellion against fate and a beacon of hope.

An orphaned girl living with her uncle, she embodies kindness and resourcefulness. She introduces Ahlo to a more hopeful, lived-in world and shares his longing for a better life. Her presence helps Ahlo navigate fear and find belonging.

A former soldier who acts as a guardian and mentor. He guides Ahlo in practical survival and the rocket-building process, sharing hard-earned wisdom from a life touched by conflict. His cynicism softens into a personal bond that fuels hope.