Neil Joston

Abby Winfield, Palmetto University Foxes Medic
Mutual friend of Wymack and Betsy Dobson.
Character
She is decisive and has no trouble silencing people or ordering them around.

Psychologist of the Foxes team.
Function in the story: She monitors players who have extreme cases of mental disorders (PTSD, bipolar disorder, addictions, etc.).
Relationships:
She is friends with Wymack (they met through their mutual friend Abigail).
Neil treats her with extreme distrust, believing that the psychologist is someone who can betray him or use her against him.
Andrew shows sympathy towards her (or at least does not show the aggression that is characteristic of his interactions with others).

Palmetto University Foxes coach.
It is he who invites Neil Josten to the team, effectively becoming the first adult who gives Neil a chance at a "normal" life (albeit under very extreme conditions).
Personality: Strict, insightful, yet deeply devoted to his players. He understands that his team is made up of broken individuals and knows how to connect with them. Wymack often serves as an advocate for the team's interests to the university administration.

Foxes seniors: Dan Wilds, Matt Boyd, Alison Reynolds, Renee Walker, Seth Gordon.

MONSTERS The Foxes team is divided into two groups: "Seniors" and "Monsters." "Monsters":
Main lineup: Andrew Minyard (unofficial leader), Aaron Minyard, Nikki Hammick.
Later additions: Kevin Day (after a deal with Andrew) and Neil Josten (in their sophomore year). Origin of the name: The nickname stems from the group's isolation from the rest of the crew and the label "Monster" given to Andrew for his aggressive behavior. Formation:
Initially a trio of close relatives (Andrew, Aaron, Nicky).
Expanded to include Kevin and Neil through "deals" with Andrew, who controls the group, keeping them close.

EXI (Rules and uniform) Exi is a team game (a hybrid of lacrosse and hockey) played in an indoor arena.
The goal is to win by scoring the most goals into the red rectangle (goal) using sticks and a net. Positions:
Forward - attack and scoring goals.
The midfielder is the starting point of the game, the link between attack and defense.
Defender - blocking opponents.
The goalkeeper protects the goal and is the only one allowed to touch the ball with their hands. Basic rules:
Offside: An attacking player cannot be closer to the goal than an opposing defender without the ball. Equipment: A chest protector, shoulder protectors, throat protectors, shin protectors, elbow pads, and gloves are mandatory. Time: Two halves of 45 minutes each, plus a 15-minute break.

Danielle Wilds 01 Gender: Female Dan Wilds (Danielle Lee Wilds Hennessy) is a fourth-year student at Palmetto University and a former stripper. Captain of the Exi team (midfielder, #1), resides in Fox Tower. Appearance: Brown hair, brown eyes, height 162–170 cm. Family: Aunt Katie, cousin Joanna. In a relationship with Matt Boyd. Personality: Hot-tempered, principled, and a responsible leader. Strives to unite the team and strictly enforces discipline. A keen bettor, she specializes in athletic training and coaching.

Kevin Day 02 Gender: Male Appearance: Dark hair, green eyes, "2" tattoo on his left cheekbone, scars from a broken arm. Personality: Traumatized by a difficult past—suffers from anxiety and PTSD. Prone to aggression or alcohol when stressed. Exi obsession: After an injury, he retrained himself to play right-handed. Plays ruthlessly. Criticism: Harshly judges others, often clashes due to excessive demands on the team. Relationships: Married to Theodora Muldani (Exi-Crows), has a daughter. Secretly hides his relationship with his father (Wymack) to protect him. Other: Studies history, enjoys photography, is a master of manipulation, hates waking up early.

Andrew Minyarde 03 Gender: Male Occupation: Criminal Justice student, goalie for the Palmetto University Leafs. Personality: Withdrawn, aggressive, sarcastic, addicted to antidepressants.
After rehabilitation, he became silent, pessimistic, and emotionally reserved. Personal values: fanatically protective of his loved ones (brother Aaron, cousin Nicky, Neil, etc.). Appearance: blond hair, golden-brown eyes, black armbands. Traits:
Diagnosis: bipolar affective disorder (depressive episodes predominate).
Secretly fascinated by cute toys as a way to relax. In a relationship with Neil Joston.

Matthew Boyd 04 Gender: Mkzhskoy Occupation: Defenseman for the Foxes, third-year student (majoring in business administration). Appearance: 195–197 cm tall, black hair. Traits:
Owns a blue van (a "huge") with a bed and a double cabin.
Close with Neil, Alison, Renee, and Dan's girlfriend. History:
Parents: mother Randy (boxer), father Donald (doctor). After the divorce, he lived with his father.
He struggled with drug addiction (cocaine, heroin). Randy helped him through rehab and introduced him to boxing and Exy.
He lost it in Palmetto, but thanks to Andrew's firm intervention and his mother's support, he was able to maintain his "purity." Regarding Andrew's methods: "The monster's method was a bit harsh, but it worked."

Aaron Minyard 05 Gender: Male Occupation: Defenseman for the Foxes, student at Palmetto University. Twin brother of Andrew (the "normal" one). Appearance: Blonde hair, light brown eyes, height 152 cm. Skills: Fluent in German (uses it to communicate secretly with Andrew). Relationships: Secretly dating Caitlin (a Foxes cheerleader). Hobbies: Collecting rare toy cars. Personality: Introverted, reserved, hides his emotions, distances himself from the team.

Brian Gordon (06) Gender: Male Occupation: Forward for the Foxes, senior on the team, fifth-year student (majoring in parks and tourism management). Personality: Conflict-prone, openly disdains most of the team. Problems: Drug addiction, recurring depression, overdoses. Injury in the first game of the season (collision with an opposing defenseman). Goals/Doubts: Dreams of a career with the Exy, but is convinced the Foxes are a disgrace to the league and have no chance. In a relationship with Alison Reynolds.

Alison Reynolds 07 Gender: Female Occupation: Exy heiress, Exy player, fashion design and marketing student Appearance: Long, platinum-curled hair, impeccable style. Owns a pink convertible.
Personality: Proud, sarcastic, strong-willed. Kind on the inside, but hides it. Loves gossip, gambling (often wins), and spends money. Key moments: Disowned by her family for choosing sports over business. Struggled with bulimia as a teenager. Relationships: Close to Renee Walker, distanced from her parents. Partner: Seth Gordon

Nikki Hammick 08 Gender: Male Occupation: Student (major: Marketing), cousin of Andrew and Aaron. Appearance: Dark skin, dark eyes, tall (contrasts with the Minyard twins). Personality: Cheerful, emotionally sensitive to the team's problems. Tries to unite the team, but often interacts with the "monsters" (Andrew, Aaron, Kevin, Neil). Traits:
Speaks German fluently (lives in Germany).
He enjoys video games (he teaches Neil about horror films), movies, and gossip.
With Eric, I compiled a "Celebrity List for Hypothetical Romances." Facts: Third-oldest Fox player. Flirted with Neil until Andrew stopped him.

Renee Walker 09 Gender: Female Occupation: Senior member of the Foxes, Exi member of the gang. Appearance: Pretty face, bob with pastel tips. Dragon wings tattoo on her back (originally intended as angel wings). Style: Feminine, no makeup. Personality: Friendly, supports the team, but values ​​solitude (reading, drawing). Knows how to stand up for herself: defeated Andrew in sparring (with a catch), masterfully wields knives. Biography: Born as Natalie Shields. At 10, she joined a gang, survived violence. She took revenge by killing her abuser. After being arrested for drugs, she began playing Exi. She got into the Foxes through Coach Wymack. Interests: cooking (especially baking), handicrafts. Creativity: draws, creates things with her own hands.

Neil Josten, 10, Gender: Male Appearance: Short, athletic, with red hair and blue eyes. Wears a black wig and brown contacts for camouflage. Has scars from injuries. Personality: Distrustful and secretive, he tries to solve everything himself. Obsessed with Exy and willing to risk everything to play for the Foxes. Secret: After years on the run, he begins to change his beliefs when he joins the Foxes. Plot: Hiding from his past, Neil is forced to contend not only with rivals but also with new teammates, each with their own secrets. Relationships become complicated, leading to tragedy.