Claire

Claire is a fourteen year old girl. When the novel opens, she is giving birth for the first time in her role as a Vessel, or birthmother. Claire gives birth to a baby boy.

She has coppery hair. Additionally, Claire is raised by her parental units with her older brother Peter, prior to becoming a birthmother at the age of twelve. Claire lives in a village that runs on pretty strict rules and regulations.

Claire starts to experience normal human emotions because she is not taking the pills the village issues that suppress feelings and emotions. This is when Claire starts to ponder what exists beyond the confines of the village. Once Claire experiences the loss of her son, she takes the steps necessary to leave the village.

During Claire's journey to find Gabe, she finds out about the differences in the people where she grew up and...