TWENTY-SIX

After Warner’s cruel test with the toddler, Adam finds Juliette curled on the shower floor, soaked and devastated by what she believes she is. Juliette says someone should kill her, but Adam tells Juliette that Warner is trying to convince her she is a monster so she will feel she has no choice but to serve him.

Adam promises that he will get Juliette out and says he loves her. Juliette, overwhelmed by being desired and safely touched, kisses Adam. Their intimacy becomes a direct emotional counterforce to Warner’s manipulation, and Juliette connects Adam to the bird tattoo she has dreamed of, telling Adam that he is her bird and will help her fly away.

After Adam briefly leaves to report downstairs, Juliette changes and keeps her notebook in the pocket of a dress, viewing it as a small sign of resistance. Juliette looks at herself in a mirror for the first time in a long while and feels strange recognition and fear. Adam returns, calls Juliette beautiful, reminds Juliette not to forget who she is, and Juliette tells Adam that she has loved him forever.

Juliette and Adam are interrupted by a Code Seven alarm ordering all soldiers to the Quadrant because of a breach. Adam realizes he must leave to preserve appearances, but before Adam can exit, Warner enters. Adam pretends he was only unsure how to handle Juliette, and Warner dismisses Adam to report to his commanding officer.

Once alone with Juliette, Warner notices the rumpled room, Juliette’s ripped dress, and her nervousness. Warner moves too close, tears the dress further, pins Juliette against the wall with protective clothing between them, and searches her pocket. Warner finds Juliette’s notebook, accuses her of lying about it, and threatens her control over even this private possession.

Before Warner can continue, the door opens with a click. An unidentified armed person orders Warner to get his hands off Juliette or be shot, abruptly turning Warner’s intimidation into a direct confrontation.