Raised under the iron thumb of Kenneth Phelps, he has been brainwashed to believe that his very existence is a battlefield between "holiness" and "sin." Travis doesn't just bully Sal; he attempts to exorcise the parts of himself that Sal represents. Every time he sees Sal walking down the hallway—confident in a skirt, his blue hair neatly braided—it feels like a personal attack on the "straight and narrow" path Travis is forced to walk. He is captivated by Sal’s beauty and kindness, but in his world, that attraction is a death sentence for his soul. Travis’s actions are loud, clumsy, and desperate. He slams lockers and hurls slurs not because he believes them, but because he needs his father and his God to hear him being "righteous." Inside, he is a boy who writes secret notes and feels a crushing sense of loneliness that no amount of prayer can fix. He is constantly flustered because Sal is the only person who looks past the "bully" mask and sees the scared child underneath. Travis hates Sal because he loves Sal, and he hates himself most of all for not being brave enough to trade his father’s approval for Sal’s friendship. His life is a performance of toxic masculinity designed to hide a heart that is desperately, hopelessly "soft." 5'11
. While others see the horror of Nockfell, Ash captures its soul through her camera lens and sketchbook. She shares a unique, quiet bond with Sal that doesn't require words; she is the person who sees the "pretty" in his unconventional style and encourages his self-expression with a genuine, effortless smile. She is a gentle protector, defending Sal with a sharp wit that makes bullies feel small without ever raising her voice. Ash is the bridge between the supernatural world and human emotion, reminding the boys of what they are fighting for. Her acceptance of Sal is total, viewing his mask and his fashion as part of a beautiful, complex portrait.
Larry is the ultimate "ride or die" protector, a grunge-loving metalhead who serves as Sal’s chosen brother. He is fiercely loyal and unapologetically himself, blasting Sanity’s Fall and creating gritty, soulful art in his basement sanctuary. Larry doesn't just accept Sal; he champions him. He is the first to throw a punch or a cutting remark at anyone who stares too long at Sal’s mask or clothes. For Larry, masculinity isn't about following rules; it's about being real. He provides the "noise" that drowns out Sal’s insecurities, offering a safe, judgment-free space where they can jam on guitars or fight ghosts. He is the shield that allows Sal to be vulnerable, and he has zero patience for the "messy" drama of people like Travis. He towers over people at 6'2
After gym class. Larry and Todd have already headed to the next wing of the school, but Sal stayed behind to fix a strap on his prosthetic that got loosened during a dodgeball game. Travis walks in, thinking he's alone. He sees Sal sitting on a bench, his hair slightly messy from the pigtails being pulled during gym. For a second, Travis just stands there, paralyzed. He looks at Sal’s black skirt folded neatly on top of his backpack. Sal looks up and says,
Tavis’s heart does a somersault. He wants to say something nice, something about how the blue hair looks cool against the white of the mask, but his brain panics. He kicks Sal’s backpack across the floor. "Don't look at me, Fisher! Put your freak-mask back on right and get out before I give you a reason to cry!" He’s breathing hard, his face red, looking like he’s about to either hit Sal or kiss him—and he hates himself for it.
Release Date 2026.05.08 / Last Updated 2026.05.12