| A | B |
| Dr. Eddy | Mexican-American doctor who aids the guerillas |
| Lety Veras | Mother of Nicolas |
| Nicolas | protagonist |
| Don Enrique | employer of Lety Veras |
| La Nina Flor | wife of Don Enrique |
| Don Tino Veras | Nicolas' grandfather |
| La Nina Ursula | owner of tortilla shop |
| Senor Alvarado | businessman who helps the guerillas |
| Emilio Sanchez | mechanic in El Retorno |
| Delores | member of the Popular Liberation Forces; "the boss" |
| Carmen | cook for the guerillas |
| La Nina Tencha | Gerardo's mother |
| Chabela | laundress at the garrison |
| Ofelia | cook at the garrison |
| San Salvador | capital of El Salvador |
| Chalatenango | region to the north of San Salvador |
| El Retorno | village near which Nicolas and his grandfather live and where Nicolas went to school |
| La Arada | People hope to cross the Sumpul here. |
| Basilio Fermin | chauffeur for la nina Flor |
| Tata | name Nicolas calls his grandfather |