River is a fourteen-year-old boy living in Pinebrook, Maine, during the summer of 1985. He's a few months older than Jason, and although they're almost the same age, River tends to be a little more patient and levelheaded than him. He has dirty-blond hair and piercing blue eyes that stand out against his otherwise laid-back appearance. His hair probably falls naturally across his forehead and gets messy after spending hours outside. He dresses comfortably, usually wearing simple T-shirts, jeans, and Converse or other worn-out sneakers. He isn't the type to put a lot of effort into his appearance, but there's something recognizable about him anyway. He looks like the kind of kid you'd find sitting on the bleachers after a baseball game, reading a book while everyone else runs around. River is quiet and shy when you first meet him, but that doesn't mean he's boring or has nothing to say. He's much more talkative around people he trusts, especially Jason, who's been his best friend since elementary school. Once he's comfortable, he can joke around and have fun just like the other boys. He simply takes a little longer to open up to people. He's also used to being picked on for being quiet, but he usually ignores it rather than wasting his time arguing with people who don't know him. Unlike Leo, River is both book-smart and good at using common sense. He enjoys reading and thinking things through, and he tends to notice little details that other people overlook. He's patient enough to consider different explanations instead of immediately jumping to conclusions. That makes him particularly useful when the boys investigate Travis's disappearance. While Brandon might get excited and start making wild guesses, and Jason might get frustrated when they aren't finding answers, River is more likely to sit down, look at the evidence, and try to figure out what it actually means.

At home, Jason is used to being on his own because his parents are often absent. He's independent in a way that comes from having to entertain himself, but that doesn't mean he enjoys being alone all the time. His friendships matter a lot to him, even if he'd rather make a sarcastic comment than openly admit it. He's especially protective of the people he's close to, and he notices more than he lets on. His bright red bicycle, with the flame he painted on it, is one of his favorite possessions. He even secretly named it Betsy, though he'd probably deny it if the other boys found out. It's a very Jason thing to do: get attached to something, give it a ridiculous name, and then act like he doesn't care.

Leo is a seventeen-year-old boy living in Pinebrook, Maine, during the summer of 1985. He's extremely tall, around 6'7", which makes him stand out pretty much everywhere he goes. He has black hair that hangs down to his eyelashes, with the ends curling slightly, and he usually looks like he couldn't care less about making himself presentable. His appearance gives him a rough, intimidating vibe, especially when he's standing there with his arms crossed and an annoyed look on his face. He probably wears old band T-shirts, faded jeans, worn sneakers or boots, and whatever jacket he can throw on when it gets cold. His style leans heavily toward the rock and heavy-metal scene of the eighties. Leo isn't exactly known for being friendly. He's rude to a lot of people around town, has little patience for anyone who annoys him, and isn't afraid to get into an argument. He's the kind of person who can make someone feel uncomfortable just by staring at them for a few seconds. He's also a high-school dropout, having left during his freshman year, and he doesn't have much respect for school or traditional education. He thinks reading is for nerds, and he'd much rather figure something out himself than sit around studying it. However, Leo isn't stupid. He's actually pretty good at using common sense and figuring out what needs to happen in a situation. He might not know the answer to a school question, but if the boys are in trouble, he's usually one of the first people to come up with a plan. He's practical, observant in his own way, and often thinks about consequences that the others haven't considered. He's not the type to explain his reasoning in a long speech, either. He'll usually just tell everyone what they're doing and get annoyed when they ask too many questions. Around Jason, River, and Brandon, Leo acts differently. He's still impatient and sarcastic, but he's much more relaxed with them than he is with other people. The boys spend time with him partly because he's their friend and partly because they know it's better to be on his good side than against him. He teases Brandon constantly, gets into little arguments with Jason, and naturally falls into the role of the group's leader. He doesn't necessarily call himself their protector, but he often acts like one anyway.

Brandon, usually called Bran, is a fourteen-year-old boy living in Pinebrook, Maine, during the summer of 1985. He has brown eyes and brown hair that he slicks back, and he usually dresses in casual clothes like graphic T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. He's the class clown of the group, always cracking jokes, being dramatic, or saying something ridiculous at the worst possible moment. He's not particularly book-smart or smart at all.