SEVEN

Juliette remembers ordinary pieces of the old world, from televisions and libraries to holidays and paved driveways, before recalling that food shortages became undeniable when Juliette was ten. The memory contrasts the past with Juliette's present confinement and the collapse controlled by The Reestablishment.

Adam has stopped speaking to Juliette after Juliette warned Adam not to touch her. Juliette thinks the silence may be safer because Adam's closeness frightens Juliette as much as Adam's secrets do, but Juliette also recognizes that Adam's embrace eased Juliette's nightmares and gave Juliette a rare moment of comfort.

Juliette reflects on Juliette's dangerous touch and the way adults labeled Juliette a monster, weapon, and medical anomaly. Doctors, teachers, police, and finally Juliette's parents all concluded Juliette should be removed, and at fourteen Juliette was taken away after a murder Juliette says Juliette did not know Juliette could commit.

The cell door suddenly crashes open and five armed people rush in with rifles. Adam rises, but Juliette freezes, and when Juliette fails to obey, one of the armed people strikes Juliette in the back with a gun and forces Juliette to the floor.

Adam appears to protest, but the soldiers threaten Adam and brutally kick Juliette until Juliette struggles upright to protect Adam from being shot. As the guards mock Juliette for not crying, Juliette concludes that Adam may have been placed in the cell because Juliette is being taken away to be killed, and Juliette is dragged out in pain hoping death comes quickly.