After two weeks away, Demon returns to discover Mom has married Stoner, moved furniture, and claimed his larger bedroom. Stoner lounges like he owns the place, and outside he has installed a dog, Satan, trained to violent frenzy. Demon spends his days at Maggot’s to avoid home.

Mom bristles at neighborhood opinions and questions Demon’s time with the Peggots, but Stoner’s jealousy and control escalate. He boasts about his CDL Anheuser-Busch route and the medical and dental benefits that excite Mom, who considers ADHD meds and a dentist for Demon. Stoner declares Demon will learn “discipline.”

At breakfast, Stoner suddenly punches Demon, claiming he was punishing Disrespectful Thoughts. Demon says nothing and outlasts him, eating after Stoner leaves. Demon tells Mrs. Peggot, who warns Mom she’ll call DSS; Mom confronts Stoner timidly, then tries to reassert herself by bringing home Demon’s favorite pizza.

Stoner counters by shaming Mom over her addiction past and attacking Maggot with slurs. He forces Mom to forbid Demon from seeing the Peggots, threatening “consequences.” Terrified, Mom complies, and Demon stays inside, drowning in comics and cartoons while imagining superpowered vengeance.

In a reflective aside, Demon observes how people only see what they care to, recalling how Maggot’s future presentation drew labels others imposed. Stoner’s words poison Demon’s thinking, and Demon converts his growing hatred into a vow to burn Stoner down.