Carney is the patriarch of Edge’s surrogate family in the infected sector, husband to Cammie, and a dedicated, strong willed radio who embodies the protective and resilient spirit of the contaminated area. He serves as a powerful anchor for Edge, representing the unconditional love and fierce loyalty Edge craves.
To the world, and especially to Edge, Carney is defined by his rugged exterior, his physical mutation, and his role as a provider and protector:
Physical Display: Carney is a balding, gray haired man whose face is marked by his mutation: his face “drooped from his cheeks and was accompanied by a long hanging tumor that hung from his forehead and over the bridge of his nose”.
The Provider: He is shown returning from the market with a suitcase, bringing supplies and food back to the house. He takes responsibility for his family’s welfare in a harsh world.
The Affectionate Uncle: His reaction upon seeing Edge is warm and physical: he sets down his suitcase and “hurried over to greet Edge, who rose and embraced him”. He is affectionate, greeting Edge with a gruff, “How the hell are you, boy?” and enduring his “well meaning back slaps”.
The Psychic of Strength: Carney possesses powerful psychic abilities, most notably telekinesis. This power is displayed dramatically when he uses it to slow Edge’s fall off the quarry cliff, saving his life and holding him suspended in mid air.
Gruff but Tender: Carney is often rough in his speech, such as yelling “Come on, woman!” at Cammie or bellowing his thoughts from the kitchen. However, this roughness masks a deep tenderness, especially for Cammie, whom he affectionately calls a “funny old broad” and whose grief over Edge’s mother causes him to tear up. He is physically comforting to her, holding her in his arms when she cries.
Highly Protective: His protectiveness extends beyond physical defense. When Edge is kidnapped, Carney is highly impatient and worried, standing up and adjusting his clothes while Cammie is trying to gather information.
Direct and Impatient: He gets easily frustrated when his questions are delayed, such as when he asks Cammie about Edge’s visit and then dismisses Cammie’s explanation, simply saying, “He just said that”.
Carney’s primary conflicts revolve around the threats to his family and the toll his life takes on his wife:
The Threat of the Outside World: Carney and Cammie are brutally attacked by “worlders” (clean sector agents) who are searching for Edge, leaving Carney unconscious with a “bloody belly”. This attack is a direct result of the clean sector’s intrusion, highlighting the constant danger his family faces due to their association with Edge and their life in the infected sector.
Cammie’s Health: His deepest emotional challenge is Cammie’s physical well being. He fears her healing ability’s effect on her body, angrily telling Edge, “She’s getting too old for this shit, Edge. She can’t be healing people anymore”. Seeing her lying on the couch after using her power, he is filled with tears, knowing it “takes a toll on her body”. This stress places a huge burden on him as her protector and husband.
Physical Vulnerability: Despite his psychic strength, Carney is physically vulnerable to violence. He is knocked out by a head butt and a rifle blow, falling over the cliff edge, demonstrating that even the most powerful radios are not immune to the threats of the clean sector’s agents.
