The Death Cure

Thomas begins to worry about Brenda’s loyalty, but he forgets about his worries when the guards enter the corridor. He shoots the first guard, sending him to the ground. Minho pushes another guard into the wall, and Brenda shoots yet another guard. Thomas interrogates the guard tackled by Minho and learns there are fifty guards on duty. She also mentions that something else is happening in the compound, so the guards are diverted.

Minho takes the guard hostage and Brenda takes the lead. When they approach another door, the hostage suggests they not open the doors, saying, “Bet there’re twenty guns waiting to burn you alive on the other side” (68). They set up formation and begin to count down before opening the door. Before Thomas can count down all the way, an alarm goes off and the lights go out.

In the confusion, the hostage escapes. They open the door with the key card and open fire when the door opens, but no fire is returned. The alarm stops. After discussing options, they agree to head toward the hangar to see if Jorge will get them out of the compound. Brenda points out that a weapon depot will be on the way.

“After a good fifteen minutes of jogging, they reached the weapons depot. Thomas stopped in the hallway, surprised to find the door swing wide open. From what he could see, the shelves inside seemed fully stocked” (72). The boys believe they are being set up, but find that some Launchers are missing because there is no dust where several were laying recently. Brenda tells them that there would be no reason for several guards to come replace their Launchers at once.

Brenda explains that carrying Launchers is standard because they stun and WICKED doesn’t like to kill, even when Cranks (the infected insane) break in. Minho speculates that the Cranks broke in and ate the guards, which is why they have not seen anyone. A moment later, Minho insults Newt, who punches him. They begin to fight and Thomas and Brenda try to break it up. Newt leaves the room after telling them he needs a break.

Thomas tries to talk to Newt, who is not very responsive and gets up saying he has to do something and will be back in a couple minutes. “The world of the Glade seemed like eons ago. Back there, Newt had always been the calm, collected one—and how here he was pulling the group apart at the seams. He seemed to be saying that it didn’t matter if he escaped himself as long as everyone else did” (77).

Brenda mentions a drug called Bliss, which slows brain activity to help slow the Flare from taking over the brain. She suggests that because Newt has been through so much, it is no wonder the Flare is taking him over. Newt comes back and asks to talk to Thomas alone. In the corridor, Newt gives Thomas an envelope and makes him swear not to read the note inside until the time is right. Worried, Thomas agrees and Newt heads back toward the weapons room.

Thomas and the others go in search for their friends, but do not come across a single soul. As they head toward the hangar, Minho stops and points to his ear. They hear moaning close by and creep into a room from which it appears to be coming. They find several guards bound and gagged.

Brenda suggests they question the guards, but the boys are convinced it could be a trap set up by WICKED and refuse. They head out and come to the hangar doors, which Brenda opens. Once inside, Minho finds someone behind a crate. It is Jorge. He tells them that Teresa and the others escaped the compound.