The Nest

The island sheriff of North Port, torn between duty and a complicated past with Elizabeth. He is pragmatic and stubborn, choosing to pursue the truth even when it puts him at odds with powerful interests. His leadership shifts from enforcement to reluctant collaboration as the crisis deepens.

Daughter of mayor Elias Johnson who returns after a four-year absence and champions the investigation into the cockroach outbreak. She partners with Richard to uncover INTEC’s involvement and confront the dangerous consequences of corporate experiments. Her resolve drives the pursuit of truth through danger.

A geneticist who studies the cockroaches and reveals the illegal experiments behind the outbreak. She explains the creatures’ abilities and the lethality of certain treatments, and becomes a key source of scientific insight for the protagonists. Her work is a catalyst for the town’s crisis and its ethical questions.

Mayor of North Port and Elizabeth’s father, who aligns with INTEC for economic interests and tries to suppress information about the outbreak. His actions reflect political self-preservation and a willingness to sacrifice public safety for leverage. He ultimately becomes a casualty of the biotechnical nightmare he helped enable.

Diner owner and Richard’s girlfriend, who becomes entangled in the turmoil as the cockroach threat escalates around the local business. Her presence anchors the town’s daily life and personal stakes within the larger catastrophe. She becomes a symbol of ordinary life under extraordinary pressure.

Local pest control expert who attempts to eradicate the infestation and provides practical, hands-on action. He experiences a disastrous setback when his own efforts backfire, yet remains a pivotal figure in the fight against the roaches. His practical mindset contrasts with the high-stakes science at play.

Librarian who is among the town’s victims as the cockroach onslaught intensifies. Her role highlights the cultural and civic centers threatened by the outbreak. She embodies the quiet, accumulating losses that accompany the crisis.

A representative of the local diner where the community gathers and where the threat becomes personal for many residents. The occupation point adds a relatable, everyday setting to the terror of the outbreak. The collapse of normal life is felt in the diner’s rush and fear.

A diner employee who becomes one of the victims as the cockroaches invade the town. His role underscores the indiscriminate danger of the outbreak and the fragility of daily routines under siege.

A local character whose presence in the town foreshadows the broader collapse of safety as the roaches intensify. He contributes to the sense of a tight-knit, fragile community facing a shared crisis.