The Fever Code
Chapter 12
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 11 of *The Fever Code*, Thomas and Teresa are escorted by Dr. Leavitt to a mysterious basement level of the complex, where they encounter an unfamiliar elevator and a tense atmosphere. Despite their silent exchange of questioning glances, Thomas finally breaks the silence, asking about the “amazing thing” they’re being shown. Leavitt evades the question, hinting at a surprise orchestrated by higher authorities. The elevator arrives, revealing Chancellor Anderson, Dr. Paige, and two other officials, Katie McVoy and Julio Ramirez, who greet them with a mix of excitement and secrecy, further heightening the suspense.
The group descends deeper into the facility, with Thomas growing increasingly uneasy. Chancellor Anderson reassures them that the visit is a “reward” for their exceptional performance in testing, though Teresa presses for answers about why they’re being singled out. McVoy explains that Thomas and Teresa, along with a few others, have outperformed their peers and are now being granted privileged access to a significant project. The elevator stops at an unknown depth, leaving Thomas both curious and apprehensive about the “others” mentioned and the purpose of their journey.
Upon exiting the elevator, they enter a vast, unfinished room filled with construction materials and equipment. Anderson reveals this will be the command center for the “Maze Trials,” a cutting-edge research facility set to be completed in stages over the next few years. Thomas and Teresa are visibly confused by the term, prompting McVoy to redirect their attention to a nearby door leading to an observation platform. The group proceeds, with Ramirez maintaining a vigilant rear guard, as Thomas notices large power docks lining the walls, hinting at undisclosed projects.
The chapter culminates as the group reaches a heavily fortified door, which McVoy unlocks with a security code. Beyond it lies a cavernous space of staggering scale, illuminated by blinding lights and framed by steel girders. Thomas is overwhelmed by the sight, his anticipation giving way to sheer shock as he struggles to comprehend the enormity of the project before him. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the true nature of the Maze Trials and its implications for Thomas and Teresa tantalizingly unresolved.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the “Maze Trials” introduced in this chapter, and how does it relate to Thomas and Teresa’s role in the story?
Answer:
The Maze Trials represent a major scientific experiment being developed by WICKED, as revealed by Chancellor Anderson and Ms. McVoy. This advanced facility is described as a command center for what will become a multi-year project involving two mazes. Thomas and Teresa are being shown this because they’ve outperformed other subjects in testing, positioning them as key participants in the trials. The chapter hints that they may have leadership roles, as Anderson mentions they’re “perfect for what we’re going to need over the next two years.” This foreshadows their central involvement in the Maze Runner series’ main events.2. Analyze how the author builds suspense and mystery throughout the elevator descent and basement exploration. What literary techniques are used?
Answer:
Dashner employs several suspense-building techniques: the unknown destination (“plummeted to the Earth’s core” simile), vague dialogue from authority figures (“not my place to ruin the surprise”), and Thomas’s internal monologue expressing unease. Physical details like the second elevator bank, descending below the basement level, and the heavily secured door create mystery. The withholding of information is strategic—even when the “Maze Trials” are named, no explanation is given. Sensory details like the “hissing sound” of the door and the “breeze” from the cavern heighten anticipation. These techniques mirror Thomas’s confusion, making readers experience the mystery alongside him.3. What does the interaction between the WICKED officials reveal about the organization’s structure and their approach to Thomas and Teresa?
Answer:
The chapter reveals WICKED’s hierarchical nature through distinct roles: Dr. Leavitt (hands-off guide), Dr. Paige and Chancellor Anderson (high-ranking decision-makers), Ms. McVoy (project oversight), and Mr. Ramirez (security). Their careful scripting of the revelation (“Let’s get through one thing at a time”) shows calculated manipulation. The officials alternate between warmth (Anderson’s handshakes) and evasion (Leavitt’s “above my pay grade” remark), suggesting a deliberate strategy to manage subjects. McVoy’s interruption of Anderson hints at internal power dynamics. Their emphasis on this being a “reward” indicates they’re using positive reinforcement to gain compliance from their top-performing subjects.4. How does Thomas’s emotional state evolve during this chapter, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Thomas begins cautiously curious during the initial elevator ride, exchanging “questioning looks” with Teresa. His anxiety grows as they descend further (“small trickle of fear”), showing his instinctual wariness. When hearing about other kids, he experiences hopeful excitement mixed with suspicion (“too good to be true”), revealing his deep loneliness. At the chapter’s climax, his anticipation peaks (“dying of curiosity”), then gives way to awe at the cavern’s scale. This emotional arc demonstrates Thomas’s intelligence (noticing details like “current” chief), emotional depth (loneliness), and resilience—he remains engaged despite discomfort. His reactions suggest he’s both exceptionally observant and emotionally vulnerable, traits crucial to his later role.5. What foreshadowing elements appear in this chapter regarding the larger narrative of The Maze Runner series?
Answer:
Several elements foreshadow future events: 1) The Maze Trials name directly connects to the main trilogy’s setting. 2) The massive cavern suggests the physical scale of future mazes. 3) Mentions of “other kids” hint at the Gladers community. 4) Power docks “big enough for a car” may foreshadow the beetle blade technology. 5) Thomas’s observation about Ramirez being the “current” chief subtly hints at WICKED’s personnel instability. 6) The officials’ evasiveness foreshadows the moral ambiguity of their experiments. Most significantly, the chapter positions Thomas and Teresa as special subjects, explaining their later knowledge and roles in the maze.
Quotes
1. “You’ll be the first subjects to see this… You two and a few others are off the charts and perfect for what we’re going to need over the next two years to finish what we’ve begun.”
This quote reveals the pivotal moment when Thomas and Teresa learn they are being singled out as exceptional subjects for WICKED’s mysterious project. It foreshadows their central role in the Maze Trials while maintaining an ominous tone about the organization’s true intentions.
2. “Our plan is for this to be the command center for what we’re calling the Maze Trials, as advanced a facility as any research institution has ever had.”
Chancellor Anderson’s announcement formally introduces the concept of the Maze Trials, marking a major turning point in the narrative. The clinical description contrasts sharply with the dystopian reality that will unfold, highlighting WICKED’s cold efficiency.
3. “He was standing on a platform facing a cavern so massive his mind could barely conceive of its size… But even more impressive were the steel girders that ran around the…”
This vivid description captures Thomas’s awe at first witnessing the physical scale of WICKED’s operation. The imagery emphasizes the overwhelming power and resources behind the organization’s plans, while leaving enough mystery to maintain suspense about the true nature of the project.