Brandon An is a human crawler, Meadow Lark maintenance worker, and early leader of the survivors from the Meadow Lark adult-care community. He and his brother Chris help Carl build improvised defenses and move elderly residents through the first two floors. Brandon dies protecting the group from Shade Gremlins on the Third Floor after an argument leaves him separated from Chris. Brandon and Chris work as maintenance employees rather than medical staff. They are at Meadow Lark after hours repairing a malfunctioning oven when Earth collapses. Their practical knowledge of tools, fasteners, load-bearing materials, and institutional equipment becomes immediately useful once the residents enter the dungeon. Carl meets Brandon at level 6 after finding Chilly Goats killed by Brandon with Chris assisting. Brandon is stocky, carries a large war hammer, and helps organize Imani, Yolanda, Chris, and the residents. He refuses to abandon the elderly even when their limited mobility makes survival appear impossible. Brandon names and helps construct the Speedbump, a portable redoubt assembled from workshop tables, weight benches, braces, and bolts. During the Ball of Swine borough-boss encounter, he follows Carl's timed deployment plan and uses boosted strength to position the heaviest wall sections. The design protects the group and establishes Meadow Lark's engineering tradition. Brandon remains in contact with Carl while guiding the residents toward stairwells and coordinating construction. On the Third Floor, disagreement splits Chris and several men from the main group. A former resident's encounter with a succubus produces hundreds of Shade Gremlins, and Brandon stays behind to protect the escape. Brandon dies alongside Henry while holding off the gremlins. His last written message grieves that he never told Chris he loved him and fears his brother still believes they parted in anger. Carl preserves the message and later gives its meaning to Chris. Brandon's death becomes one of the losses Imani and Carl continue to name across later floors.
- Chris Andrews
- Imani C
- Team Meadow Lark
- The Ball of Swine
- Shade Gremlins