The Scorch Trials

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2010

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Chapters 60-62Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 60 Summary

Thomas and Teresa communicate telepathically about finding shelter. With the creatures mostly dead or still fighting with other teenagers, the lightning strikes are taking their toll on the group, monsters included. They make a plan to take shelter in one of the pods, and rush to it without being struck by lightning. Though the pod has a sickening odor, the two manage to get inside and, just as they are about to close the lid, Jorge and Brenda run up, taking shelter as well. Jorge and Brenda thank Thomas for letting them in, and while the four talk about what they are supposed to do now, a lightning bolt cracks the roof of the pod. Thomas says that they will not be able to last much longer in the pod without being hit by lightning, when suddenly they hear a loud sound outside. Wondering if they are missing something, the group manages to get the lid of the pod off again, and as they do, they see the same Berg that saved Thomas descend and land on the ground, just as their two-week time limit runs out.

Chapter 61 Summary

Thomas and the others make a wild dash for the Berg, which has opened its cargo door and is waiting for them. As they approach, a dozen of the bulb creatures block their path, and the teenagers realize that they will have to fight through the monsters to escape. Thomas yells at them to charge and go through the monsters, feeling that he truly has no fear. The remaining teenagers charge and finish the monsters off quickly. As they do so, Thomas notes that the Berg is beginning to ascend, leaving them behind. The group then rushes for the Berg, and as they do, lightning begins to strike again, killing some of the group. Finally, Thomas and Teresa reach the cargo bay. Thomas dives in and helps Teresa in, and with Jorge’s help, they assist Brenda, who is barely hanging on to the door. They finally pull Brenda in, and as the Berg ascends, Thomas notes that there are only a few dead bodies on the valley floor, and that none of them are people he knew.

Their escape is interrupted by a man asking who Brenda and Jorge are. He points a gun at them, and asks again who the stowaways are. Thomas defends Brenda and Jorge, saying that if it was not for the two of them, they would never have made it to the safe haven. The man is clearly annoyed, but tells Thomas that only one of the two can remain onboard, and that he has to decide which one. He gives Thomas five seconds to choose, and if he does not, they will both die. Thomas thinks that he is being faced with another Variable, and that the man will do the opposite of what he says, so tells the man to kill Brenda. To Thomas’s horror, the man agrees, grabbing Brenda by the shirt and carrying her to the open door of the Berg.

Chapter 62 Summary

Thomas tackles the man to the ground and grabs his gun. He points the gun at the man and tells him that they are all done being puppets for WICKED, that they have done everything they were told to do and will no longer be treated inhumanely. The man softens, tells the group his name is David and that they have all indeed passed the Trials. He tells them that they are being taken to a real place of safety at headquarters. Though Thomas, Minho and the others remain skeptical, David tells them that they have really passed the Trials, and that they will be given the cure. Once they understand everything, he says, they will know why they were made to endure so much. Thomas tells David that at the first sign of trouble, they will all fight. David says they expected as much from them, and lets Thomas keep the gun. The man then motions for them all to follow him, for food and showers. Though they are still wary, the group realizes that it has no other choice, and follows him.

Chapters 60-62 Analysis

The dwindling group of teenagers is now faced with their seemingly final task of making it to the Berg before their time runs out and they are left behind. They have to fight more monsters, but at this point, safety is so close that Thomas barely registers the dangers blocking their path to the Berg. The teens make quick work of the remaining monsters, and then make it onto the Berg just in time. The final scene highlights their determination to survive, to push through despite the odds.

Thomas once again shows his leadership potential when he challenges David, who tries to throw Brenda from the Berg. He stands up to David, and thus stands up to WICKED, and says they will no longer be bullied or treated like rats. In this scene, Thomas is finally the leader people have been telling him that he is all along. He is protecting his friends and standing up to WICKED. Despite being told by David that they are all safe, Thomas knows how WICKED operates, and feels he would be a fool to just allow himself to be placated. His declaration to David, that the teens will fight again if they have to, is a declaration that Thomas and the others will no longer be treated as tools. In the end, it shows just how much of Thomas’s need to defend humanity remains intact even after all of the horrible things he and the others have witnessed.