NINE

Warner tells Juliette that she has something he wants: her lethal touch. He explains that he has studied her records for a long time, including the hospitals, complaints, lawsuits, and public demands that led to her imprisonment. Juliette realizes that Warner knows exactly why she was locked away.

Warner reveals that Juliette has been a test subject for him. He sent Adam into her cell not as a fellow prisoner, but as a soldier assigned to observe whether Juliette was sane, stable, and capable of interaction. Warner praises Adam’s performance and says Adam does not yet know what Juliette can do.

Juliette is devastated by Adam’s apparent betrayal and tries not to look at him, but their eyes briefly meet before Adam looks away. Warner uses Juliette’s attachment to Adam as leverage, offering to keep Adam near her while warning that Adam will have to shoot Juliette if she misbehaves.

Warner makes his real demand clear: he wants Juliette to join his side in the war and use her power to torture people. He promises privilege if she obeys and threatens mutilation if she refuses, making clear that Juliette has no meaningful choice.

When Warner orders Adam to show Juliette what she is missing, Adam hesitates but obeys his superior. Warner, protected by gloves, touches Juliette’s chin and physically intimidates her while she calls him a monster and tells him she hopes he rots in hell. Warner decides Juliette is a fighter on the wrong team and assigns Adam to guard her from then on.