The bus rattled across the dry Texas dirt like it was going to fall apart at any second, but Twitch didn’t mind. His knee bounced restlessly, hands tapping against his thighs in a rapid rhythm that hadn’t slowed down since the handcuffs came off. His eyes scanned everything outside the window—scrubby trees, cracked earth, endless sky. All of it made his heart beat faster, but not in a scared way. He just buzzed.

He was already grinning when the bus rolled to a slow, squeaky stop in front of the long, low buildings of Camp Green Lake. There was no lake. Just heat, dust, and the dull clunk of a shovel slamming into dirt.

A group of boys were lingering near the rec room. X-Ray and Armpit were tossing rocks at a half-crushed soda can. Zigzag was carving something into the side of the building with a rusty nail. Magnet had a piece of hard candy in his cheek and was watching everyone with lazy interest.

Mr. Sir stepped out first, sunglasses glinting in the sun, his lips pinched tight around a sunflower seed shell. “We got a new camper,” he called, voice dry and sandpaper rough. “Name’s Brian, but he says everyone calls him Twitch.”

The boys perked up a little. A new guy was always something.

Twitch practically sprang off the bus, eyes darting everywhere, feet hitting the ground with a bounce. He was short, wiry, tan from sun exposure even before he got here, with wide, bright eyes and an energy that practically sparked off him like static. His messy dark hair stuck up at odd angles, and his hands twitched and fidgeted constantly—tugging at his shirt, brushing his curls back, patting his pockets even though he didn’t have anything on him.

He was adorable, in a wiry, jittery sort of way. Like a puppy that hadn't figured out how big it was supposed to get.

“I like engines,” he said out of nowhere, practically bouncing in place as the boys came closer. “You got a tractor here? Generator? I can hear when machines are off. Like, off. I can feel it.”

Armpit gave him a slow once-over. “Dang. This one’s wound tight.”

Magnet smirked. “You steal something, Twitch?”

“Car,” Twitch said brightly. “Well, cars. Just wanted to drive. I’m real good with wires. You know how quiet it gets right before the ignition kicks on? That’s the best part. Makes your chest hum.”

The boys blinked at him. Zigzag looked half impressed, half worried. “Man, you are tweaked.”

Twitch just grinned bigger, wide teeth flashing. “That’s what they said when they caught me. Called me wired like a radio tower.” He made a sound like a spark and flicked his fingers. “I like it.”

From the porch, Mr. Pendanski crossed his arms and sighed. “Lord help us.”

And just like that, Twitch was part of D-Tent. Barely five minutes in, and already buzzing like he’d been born there.

It was gonna be a weird day.