Demon calls June as promised and confirms Emmy is alive in Atlanta, though June is furious at the idea of searching a big city. June says the next step is finding Martha, explaining she has already helped Martha into a methadone clinic in Knoxville, but Martha keeps relapsing and disappearing. June believes tracing Martha’s circle may lead back to Emmy.

Demon returns home hoping for quiet work time, but finds Dori in bed; she has been fired by Thelma after skipping appointments or stealing. Dori sinks deeper into inertia, so Demon takes the TV downstairs; later, overwhelmed by money problems and the filthy, empty house, Demon smashes the TV screen in frustration. He considers cutting Dori off but cannot, admitting he is lonely and trapped by his caretaking.

Loneliness pushes Demon toward Tommy, whose constant reading and conversation become a lifeline. Demon keeps working at a Norton farm co-op and continues drawing “Red Neck,” developing health-care-themed strips with Tommy. Their friendship strains when Tommy admits he cannot keep Demon around the paper office if Demon is too impaired; Demon confesses he is “strung out” and insists he can quit alone, but Tommy urges him to get help, pointing to local AA and warning that living with an addict can keep a person addicted.

Demon shifts his work to Tommy’s garage house, where he is repeatedly interrupted by the McCobbs—especially Haillie and her mother. Mrs. McCobb confides that Mr. McCobb may be involved in a risky deal with a man she dislikes: U-Haul Pyles, which alarms Demon and makes him wonder if U-Haul is circling back toward him.

June finally locates Martha at the Woodway crack house, and Demon and Maggot go to retrieve her so June can question her about Emmy. Martha is severely deteriorated, and near June’s home she panics and tries to escape; Demon follows her to the Powell River bank and talks her down, emphasizing June still loves Emmy and wants her safe. After delivering Martha to June, Demon returns home newly frightened by what Dori is becoming; when he tries to wake Dori to talk and eat, Dori finally speaks a revelation that shifts everything: she is pregnant.