With summer near, Demon fixates on freedom from school he no longer values. He works full-time at Golly’s dump, measuring life in roll-offs and learning that nothing improves. He imagines an endless future of hazardous scrap work under Ghost, the only “promotion” available.

The McCobbs’ life unravels after their car is repossessed, costing Mr. McCobb his job and igniting constant fights about desperate options. Ghost begins driving Demon to work; Swap-Out supplies weed and target practice distractions. Evenings at the store, Mr. Golly (Ghali) shares stories of growing up in an Indian dump, quietly becoming a rare adult who talks and listens. Meanwhile Baggy, Demon's caseworker again, avoids him.

When the landlord threatens eviction, the McCobbs secretly use Demon’s wages to pay back rent. Haillie’s slip exposes it; Demon explodes, then secures the remainder of his cash. Mr. McCobb, drinking and ashamed, confides his “secret of happiness” is “two cents,” even as he fails to provide.

By late summer, the McCobbs decide to move to Ohio. Baggy must re-place Demon but does little; she reports Crickson has been barred from fostering and repeatedly asks about relatives. Demon concludes he must act for himself and forms a risky plan.

On departure day, he packs his backpack with clothes, drawings, and his money jar, says a quiet goodbye to Haillie and Brayley, and leaves the fighting McCobbs behind. He lies to Baggy about going to the Peggots, collects early pay and supplies from Mr. Golly, then walks to Highway 23, thumbs a ride, and tells the driver he’s heading for Tennessee—Murder Valley.