Eli, the story’s narrator, says the world ended when his family entered the Compound. He was nine years old. His parents are there, as well as two sisters: six-year-old Terese and eleven-year-old Lexie. When they escaped to the Compound before a nuclear attack destroyed the world above ground, Eli’s father had to close the hatch before Eli’s grandmother—called Gram—could get in. Eli’s twin brother, Eddy, had gone with Gram and failed to enter the Compound.

Eli’s father is Rex Yanakakis, an innovative, entrepreneur billionaire. During the Prologue, Eli broods in his room, which has a red door. The ceiling comprises a pattern of bulbs that mimic the sunrise, sunset, and constellations. Eli blames himself for Eddy not being there. He feels that “all was not right in our new world” (8). 

Eli exercises constantly, running on the treadmill in the Compound’s gym and lifting weights. During the time in the Compound he has grown as big as Rex. His sister Terese, whom he refers to as Little Miss Perfect, speaks French and plays the oboe.

On a basketball court in the Compound, she tells Eli that she might hate their father, and she believes there are still people alive outside the Compound.