Don

Don is energetic, sociable and emotionally direct. He dislikes being excluded and wants his siblings to trust him with difficult information rather than protecting him through deception.

His impulsiveness sometimes causes trouble. When he believes people he loves have been harmed or deceived, anger can override caution.

Don's central motivation is nevertheless protective rather than reckless. He wants to become someone the younger children can rely on and gradually develops greater discipline as the dangers facing the family increase.

Don is physically strong and athletic for his age. He performs well in active games and becomes one of the more capable members of the escape group during wilderness travel.

He is also skilled at pickpocketing and sleight-of-hand. These abilities prove useful during the investigation inside Grace Field.

Although he does not match Emma, Norman or Ray academically, Don scores well enough to rank among the more intelligent children at Plant 3 and becomes a capable field operative.

Don becomes involved in the escape plan with Gilda after Emma and Norman decide they need additional allies. Initially they tell Don that the children are being sold to criminals rather than revealing the existence of demons.

Don refuses to accept the incomplete explanation and investigates Isabella's room with Gilda. After discovering the truth and learning that Conny was killed rather than adopted, he becomes furious that Norman and Ray withheld information but ultimately recommits himself to helping the family escape.

Don is the first child to cross the ravine during the Grace Field escape, helping establish the route for the others. He later grows into one of the group's dependable fighters and scouts.

Gilda is Don's closest partner and often balances his impulsiveness with calmer judgment.

Conny is like a younger sister to Don. Learning the truth about her death gives his participation in the escape a deeply personal motivation.

Emma shares Don's intense commitment to saving every sibling, although Don is sometimes frustrated when she conceals risks from him.

Norman initially gives Don a false explanation for the escape plan, leading to conflict once Don learns the truth.

Ray is another target of Don's anger after he realizes how much information the older children withheld.

Isabella raises Don as his Mama at Grace Field House.