The Scorch Trials

Minho, Newt and Thomas wrap their bed sheets around their bodies and rush out into the heat from the exit hatch. As soon as they surface, however, Thomas realizes that the bed sheets are practically useless against the intense pressure of the air and light. Though Thomas tries breathing, it feels as if fire is inside of his throat as opposed to oxygen, while the light is so blinding that Thomas can barely see in front of him. When he finally gets his bearings, however, he finds a vast wasteland stretching out before them. When he turns, he sees mountains stretching out into the distance, and in front of them, buildings. Thomas surmises that the buildings must be part of a town, and that the Gladers are supposed to head in that direction to find the safe haven.

Thomas and the others decide to head out immediately, and bring the rest of the Gladers up to get accustomed to the heat. They make arrangements to have a bed sheet covering two people at a time, with one person holding the provisions, and then set off in the direction of the city. Thomas ends up traveling with Aris, and as they walk, he again asks the new boy if he has ever heard of Teresa. Though the question is accusatory, Aris says that he does not know who she is, and that Thomas should at least be glad that he did not have to see her killed in front of him, like Aris saw Rachel killed. As Thomas is about to ask Aris more questions, the Gladers spot two people running in their direction from the city.

As the two strangers approach the Gladers, the group crowds together, ready to fight if they have to. Though the Gladers far outnumber the two strangers, Thomas feels uneasy about them, and is reminded of the Cranks at their dorm windows. The two strangers stop a few dozen feet in front of the group, and Thomas sees that one is a female, and the other, male. Minho tries to ask the strangers who they are, but receives no response. Instead, the strangers split up and begin circling the Gladers, coming together and pausing at the other end. They tell the Gladers that they are Cranks, and that they have come to see if the group has the Flare. They then ask the Gladers how they arrived in the Scorch. Minho tells them about WICKED and how they came from the hole in the ground a little while back. The strangers then tell them that there are different levels to the Flare, and that not all Cranks are mad. They continue by saying that if the Gladers are indeed headed into the city, they need to know who to trust and who to avoid, or even who they need to kill if it comes to it.

Instead of answering any more of the Gladers’ questions, the two strangers split up again and meet again in front of the city. They tell the Gladers that if they do not have the Flare, they will soon have it, just like the other group that is supposed to kill them. With that, they run off in the direction of the city. The mention of Group B reminds Thomas of his tattoo, and the fact that he is supposed to be killed by them. Though some in the group are a bit hesitant about continuing, including Thomas, Minho tells them that they have no choice. They need food and water, and the town is on the way to the safe haven anyway. He says they will all protect each other, but for now, they need to get to the city, which is the only chance they have. The Gladers all agree, and head toward the city.