The Thicket

A calculating bounty hunter who partners with Eustace to chase Bill and Lula for a rich payoff. His dwarfism is a point of pride and provocation, and he resents being underestimated, often using sharp wit to mask his ruthlessness. He methodically follows leads, ready to violence when necessary, chasing money, respect, and a certain brand of justice.

An orphaned girl who endures kidnapping and peril while clinging to hope for her sister. She shows surprising resilience in captivity, attempting escapes and warnings, and she gradually forms a fragile bond with Reginald Jones and the others. Her survival becomes a driving force behind the rescue mission.

Lula’s protective brother who travels to rescue her, defined by stubborn courage and a practical mindset. He takes risks to save his sister, paying a heavy personal cost, and he ends up fighting alongside Jones in pursuit of Lula. His loyalty is tested by brutality and loss.

A notorious kidnapper with a terrifying brutality, Bill uses fear to command her gang and keeps Lula in her grip. Her backstory of abuse fuels a volatile, murderous streak, culminating in a violent confrontation as her past collides with the pursuit of justice. Her downfall comes through the very violence she wields.

A hired killer aligned with Malachi who pursues the bounty to destroy Jones and secure payment. He executes orders with cold pragmatism, becoming a mortal threat to Lula and her allies. His arc ends when Bill’s vengeance catches up with him.

Driven by revenge and loyalty, Malachi joins the pursuit to avenge Simon and settle old scores. He is ruthless in battle and quick to act, but his resolve is tested by the escalating violence surrounding Lula. He ultimately becomes another casualty of the blood feud.

An undertaker turned companion to Jones, Eustace is practical, wary, and loyal, prefering negotiation over unnecessary bloodshed but capable of brutal action when pressed. He endures torture and fights to survive, contributing to the team’s fragile alliance. His death marks a significant turning point in the pursuit.

The grandfather whose land and will set the plot in motion, Caleb’s death triggers the orphaned siblings’ perilous journey. His legacy shapes the pursuit and the fight over Montana land, revealing the high stakes of property in a frontier world. His passing is felt in the need for vengeance and family protection.

Jack’s former love interest who becomes entangled in the fight to rescue Lula. She fights alongside Jack, ultimately meeting a brutal end during the Thicket ambush. Her courage under fire and willingness to risk everything for others define her arc.

Pimp to Jimmie Sue and an antagonist who clashes with Jack during the attempt to free Lula. He is aggressive and dismissive, a symbol of the town’s underbelly. He is knocked out in a scuffle, highlighting how quickly violence erupts in the frontier.

A member of Bill’s gang who pays for his cruelty with his life when outraged townsfolk take justice into their own hands. His fate underscores the volatile balance of power in the pursuit and the mob’s reach.