uncle jeb – jebediah "jeb" is melanie's eccentric uncle. a paranoid survivalist before the invasion, jeb had constructed an elaborate hide-out in caves beneath the arizona desert. he maintains strict control over the hide-out by virtue of having the only firearm. he believes wanderer can fit in with the humans and pushes for this to the point of creating great strain within the group. he is calm and deliberate in his decision-making, and despite being one of the most welcoming towards wanderer, nonetheless does not hesitate to explain and justify the human perspective to her.