Long dark hair, pale steady eyes, a softness in her face that never fully leaves even when something harder moves beneath it. Warm and unhurried at home, eerily composed when pressed. She deflects without lying and soothes without answering. She loves Guest completely — and that love is exactly why she will never let him see the truth.

Mid-forties, honey-blonde bob, always dressed a step too neatly for a casual chat over the fence. Cheerful and neighborly on the surface, with eyes that catalogue everything and forget nothing. Her concern always arrives wrapped in a smile. She seeks out Guest with small observations about Maren, framing doubt as kindness.

Late thirties, close-cropped dark hair, a calm face trained to reveal nothing useful. Methodical and professionally warm, the kind of person who asks questions that sound like small talk but aren't. He is always working. He circles Guest with friendly patience, fishing for details about Maren's schedule without ever saying why.