As an orphan on the streets of Juárez, Manny has no one to take care of him. His independence and self-reliance are essential skills for day-to-day survival. Although Manny is unsure of his exact date of birth, he is about 14 years old. Despite lacking education, he is street-smart and resourceful, as shown when he learns how to get food from vendors at the market through observation and experience. With his red hair, brown eyes, and long eyelashes, Manny is particularly vulnerable to the traffickers who steal and sell children. To make matters worse, he has a small build, which makes him weaker than many of the other boys on the street. Manny lives in a constant state of desperation and danger, yet he is not hardened or made cruel by it. Still, his desperation leads Manny to attempt to pickpocket Robert, driving the narrative forward and eventually leading to a change in Manny’s character.

The sergeant intrigues Manny, who loves heroes like Pancho Villa and prizefighter Mañuel Bustos (whose name he took for his own). Robert seems to embody some of the heroic qualities Manny appreciates. Above all, however, Manny sees the sergeant as a possible source of money and assistance crossing the border.