Atlas watches Josh over breakfast and decides not to take Josh’s distrust personally. Believing Josh may have endured a childhood like Atlas’s, Atlas tries to make Josh feel noticed by asking safe questions. Josh slowly reveals an interest in manga, especially One Piece and Chainsaw Man, and briefly teases Atlas for having few interests outside work.

Atlas asks why Josh fought with Sutton and where Josh has been staying. Josh says Sutton gets angry for reasons Josh often does not understand, then admits he has been sleeping in Atlas’s restaurant for two weeks after learning to pick the lock. Josh also admits he vandalized the restaurant because he was angry, then asks whether Atlas can help find his father, Tim, whom Josh believes may live in Vermont.

Atlas wants to protect Josh but knows Josh’s mother has legal custody, so Atlas calls Sutton to tell her Josh is safe and asks whether Josh can stay with him for a while. Sutton reacts defensively, rejects Atlas’s offer, and orders Atlas to bring Josh back. Atlas promises Josh that he will not abandon him and says he will contact a lawyer or Child Protective Services when offices open.

After speaking with a lawyer friend, Atlas drives Josh to the Risemore Inn because keeping Josh without Sutton’s consent could damage any legal effort to help him. Before Josh gets out, Atlas gives Josh a prepaid phone and a hidden credit card for food, phone minutes, and clothes, asking Josh not to tell Sutton. Josh thanks Atlas and returns reluctantly to the hotel room.

From the parking lot, Atlas sees Sutton immediately yell at Josh and slap him. When Sutton drags Josh inside and Josh falls, Atlas rushes up, pulls Sutton away, helps Josh up, retrieves Josh’s phone, and takes Josh back to the car despite Sutton threatening to call the police. Atlas chooses not to argue with Sutton because getting Josh away is more important.

In the car, Atlas notices Josh’s red cheek and bleeding forehead. Josh calmly says the cut likely came from hitting the TV stand and adds that he can usually tell when he has a concussion, which alarms Atlas. Atlas decides to take Josh to the emergency room, partly to ensure Josh is safe and partly to document Sutton’s abuse for any future legal action.