ELEVEN

Inside The Reestablishment headquarters, Juliette expects brutality but is devastated by the luxury instead. The marble, chandeliers, rugs, heat, and wasted resources make her think of starving children, desperate families, and everything The Reestablishment stole while promising restoration and safety.

Overwhelmed by the visible proof of corruption, Juliette breaks down in public. Adam lifts her and carries her through the watching soldiers, and despite knowing he serves the people who control her, Juliette is painfully comforted by his closeness and wishes she could touch him without danger.

Shame and panic return, and Juliette begs Adam to kill her rather than continue this ordeal. Adam tightens his hold and takes her to a private room opened with a key card, where he tells her she will be staying for a while.

The room is lavish but feels tainted to Juliette. When Juliette asks to be left alone, Adam explains that Warner has made Juliette his assignment: Warner wants Juliette to understand what is being offered, but still considers Juliette a threat, so Adam must watch her and will be moving in while normally living with the soldiers in the barracks.

Adam tells Juliette to get dressed because Warner expects Juliette for dinner. Juliette is startled and relieved that food, not immediate torture, is awaiting her. Adam points out the bathroom, explains that it is the only place without cameras, and indicates that clothes are in the armoire.

In the bathroom, Adam silently signals for Juliette to be quiet, but Juliette misreads his behavior as the start of an attack or torture. Juliette begins crying in terror; Adam realizes what Juliette thinks, insists he is not going to hurt her, becomes frustrated, and leaves the bathroom without further explanation.