Gwen Proctor, previously Gina Royal, is the novel’s protagonist. She was obliged to change the names and identities of herself and her children after her (now ex) husband was revealed to be a serial killer. She must move them multiple times in an attempt to outrun people who want to harass and/or murder them after their relationship to Mel was revealed online. Gwen is hardworking, diligent, and loyal, and she’ll stop at nothing to protect her children. Stillhouse Lake uses the generic “mother bear” trope to characterize Gwen, in which a woman’s children are threatened and she must break outside the usual norms of acceptable behavior in order to protect them. Stillhouse Lake refers internally to this character type as “Terminator Mom,” in reference to the 1984 thriller/sci-fi film The Terminator, drawing a parallel between Gwen and the cult female hero Sarah Connor (who also bears Gwen’s son’s name). Gwen repeatedly reflects that while Gina, who is “dead,” was too trusting and naive, the new Gwen hesitates to trust anyone at all, because even when she does, it often turns out poorly.

Gwen is the protector of her children’s physical safety and their mental and emotional well-being.