Asher is Carl's unknown six-year-old half-brother, living under the same abusive father shortly before his birthday and Earth's collapse.
Asher emerges from the back hallway while his father watches baseball. His nose, blue eyes, heavy brown hair, and other dominant family features immediately reveal the relationship to Carl.
The frightened boy asks to watch television but is ordered to retrieve hidden cigarettes. He refuses because his mother took them and runs when threatened.
In his room, Asher quietly rolls a Matchbox car along the wall. His small heart-shaped candy box holds a shiny rock, two dollars, and a plastic cowboy. Drawings of airplanes and storm clouds destroying cities reveal fear of lightning and storms.
Carl apologizes to the intangible child for not knowing he existed and promises he will never be forgotten. After the murder, Asher's mother holds him, sends him toward Mrs. Tomlinson's house, and says his birthday party is tomorrow. He hopes for a bike and cake.
A wary six-year-old boy with wild brown hair and blue eyes, clutching a Matchbox car in a small bedroom.
Asher is the family Carl never knew he lost and the true emotional target of the recorded arena.