The Fever Code
Chapter 11
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 10 of *The Fever Code*, Thomas reunites with Teresa after a week of agonizing separation, during which he questioned whether their meetings would continue. Their previous encounter left him unsettled due to unexplained déjà vu, but he avoids bringing it up, fearing judgment. Instead, he asks Teresa about the rumored deaths of other children, a topic she dismisses as possibly exaggerated or misunderstood. Their conversation is tinged with paranoia, as both suspect they are being monitored by WICKED, the organization holding them captive. Despite this, they share laughter, using humor to deflect their unease.
The chapter delves into their shared frustration with their confined lives, dominated by medical tests and schooling. Teresa expresses boredom and resentment toward WICKED, joking that the organization should be called “BORING” instead. Thomas questions why they are kept indoors, and Teresa speculates about the dangers of the outside world, referencing radiation and her fragmented memories of traveling by Berg and Flat Trans. Her brief mention of losing her parents hints at a traumatic past, though she quickly shifts focus to avoid dwelling on it.
Their discussion turns to the mysterious implants in their heads, which cause strange sensations like itching or an urge to “scratch” internally. Teresa reveals she overheard the term “trigger switch” during anesthesia, suggesting their implants may have untapped functions. Thomas recalls Dr. Paige mentioning something “special,” but his memory is hazy. Teresa describes attempting to mentally activate the implant, as if using her brain as a tool, though she acknowledges how absurd it sounds. Thomas, while skeptical, remains intrigued, validating her concerns.
The chapter ends with Teresa and Thomas whispering to evade surveillance, their closeness fostering a sense of camaraderie. Teresa vows to continue exploring the implant’s potential, grateful Thomas doesn’t dismiss her theories. Their bond strengthens as they speculate about WICKED’s advanced technology and their own unexplained abilities, leaving readers with lingering questions about the true nature of their captivity and the secrets hidden within their minds.
FAQs
1. What are Thomas and Teresa’s primary concerns about WICKED in this chapter, and how do they attempt to address them?
Answer:
Thomas and Teresa express several concerns about WICKED, including surveillance, the mysterious deaths of other children, and the strange sensations in their heads from their brain implants. They suspect they are constantly monitored, as Teresa glances at the ceiling corners where hidden cameras or microphones might be. To circumvent this, they whisper closely to each other, physically leaning in to avoid being overheard. Teresa also shares her theory about a “trigger switch” in their implants, hinting at WICKED’s advanced but unsettling technology. Their actions reveal both distrust of WICKED and a desire to uncover the truth discreetly.2. How does Teresa describe the unusual sensation in her head, and what does she speculate it might be?
Answer:
Teresa describes the sensation as an “itch” deep in her head, as if something needs to be “scratched” or activated. She speculates it might be a “trigger switch” linked to their brain implants, a concept she heard while waking from anesthesia. She believes WICKED’s technology could allow their brains to interact with the implant in a functional way, like using a mental “hook” to pull the trigger. Though Thomas initially finds this idea bizarre, he recalls Dr. Paige mentioning something similar, which piques his curiosity. Teresa’s theory suggests WICKED may have embedded latent capabilities in their minds.3. What does the chapter reveal about the outside world and why Thomas and Teresa are confined?
Answer:
The chapter hints that the outside world is dangerous due to lingering radiation, possibly from a catastrophic event. Teresa mentions “blinding white light” outside the Berg (a flying transport) and references weakened but still hazardous radiation levels. This explains why they are confined indoors—ostensibly for their protection as immune individuals. However, their isolation also serves WICKED’s purposes, as they are subjected to constant testing and surveillance. The lack of freedom frustrates Teresa, who sarcastically rebrands WICKED as “BORING,” highlighting their oppressive routine of medical exams and schooling.4. How does the dynamic between Thomas and Teresa evolve in this chapter?
Answer:
Their relationship deepens through shared secrecy and humor. Thomas feels comfortable enough with Teresa to mock WICKED’s surveillance loudly, and their laughter becomes a bonding moment. Teresa trusts Thomas with her theories about the implants, and he validates her by not dismissing her ideas, despite their strangeness. Their physical closeness—whispering and sitting shoulder-to-shoulder—shows growing intimacy and mutual reliance. This contrasts with their initial awkwardness in previous meetings, suggesting they are forming a genuine alliance against WICKED’s control.5. What clues does the chapter provide about WICKED’s resources and technological capabilities?
Answer:
WICKED possesses advanced technology, including Bergs (expensive aircraft) and Flat Transes (matter-transportation devices), indicating vast resources. Teresa recalls being transported via both as a child, implying WICKED’s reach is global. The brain implants, which may have hidden functions like a “trigger switch,” further demonstrate their cutting-edge science. Additionally, the pervasive surveillance—hidden cameras and microphones—reflects their meticulous control over subjects. These details paint WICKED as a powerful, well-funded organization with capabilities far beyond typical societal norms, raising questions about their true motives.
Quotes
1. “Letting a whole week go by seemed the most effective torture method he’d ever heard of.”
This quote captures Thomas’s frustration and psychological strain under WICKED’s control, highlighting the manipulative environment where even small delays feel like calculated cruelty.
2. “Our heads should be totally healed, right?…You mean what WICKED calls the killzone?”
This exchange introduces the ominous concept of the “killzone” and the children’s uneasy awareness of their brain implants, foreshadowing later revelations about WICKED’s experiments.
3. “Their name should be BORING, not WICKED. I’m seriously going insane from being locked in rooms all day.”
Teresa’s sarcastic remark critiques the organization’s hypocrisy, contrasting their grandiose name with the mundane yet oppressive reality of their confinement.
4. “It’s actually more like an itch. Like something’s in there that needs to be scratched…I heard the words ‘trigger switch’ when I was coming out of the anesthesia.”
This whispered confession reveals the disturbing physical sensations tied to their brain implants, hinting at WICKED’s hidden agenda and the children’s suppressed abilities.
5. “These people have some crazy technology. They have Flat Transes and Bergs….”
The closing lines emphasize the vast technological gap between WICKED and the outside world, reinforcing the children’s vulnerable position as test subjects in a high-stakes experiment.