The Fever Code
Chapter 17
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 16 of *The Fever Code*, Thomas and Teresa find themselves gripped by fear as they are led by WICKED guards to an unknown destination. The guards reassure them that the ordeal is merely a lesson about the dangers outside their controlled environment, but Thomas remains unsettled by mentions of “Crank pits” and the Flare virus. The tension escalates as Teresa demands answers, but the guards evade their questions, emphasizing compliance. The group, including Alby and Minho, follows reluctantly, with Thomas haunted by the revelation that Newt isn’t immune, raising questions about his presence among them.
The group is led along the WICKED complex’s perimeter, their fear mounting as they approach a dark tunnel beneath the building. The eerie silence is broken only by the sounds of the ocean and the guards’ cryptic warnings. Thomas’s anxiety grows as the environment becomes increasingly ominous, with the guards refusing to clarify their intentions. Teresa’s outburst is met with a brief moment of empathy from the female guard, who admits her discomfort but insists the experience is necessary to deter them from exploring outside. The chapter’s tension is palpable as the group moves forward, their dread unspoken but shared.
Upon entering the tunnel, the darkness and unsettling moans heighten the sense of horror. The guards unlock a rusted iron gate, revealing their destination: a pit housing Cranks, individuals infected with the Flare. The guards assure the group they won’t be harmed, but the promise does little to ease their terror. Thomas hesitates, overwhelmed by nightmares come to life, but Teresa’s courage pushes him forward. The scene underscores the brutality of WICKED’s methods, using fear as a tool to control and manipulate the teenagers.
The chapter culminates in a chilling confrontation with the Cranks, symbolizing the horrors of the Flare virus. Thomas’s internal struggle reflects his growing awareness of WICKED’s morally ambiguous tactics. The guards’ insistence that the experience is for their “own good” contrasts sharply with the visceral terror it induces. As the group steps into the pit, the chapter leaves readers questioning the true nature of WICKED’s mission and the ethical boundaries it crosses. The encounter foreshadows deeper conflicts and revelations about the organization’s ruthless approach to survival.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Randall’s statement about Newt not being immune, and why does this realization shock Thomas?
Answer:
Randall’s revelation that Newt isn’t immune to the Flare shocks Thomas because it contradicts the fundamental premise of WICKED’s operations—only “Munies” (those immune to the Flare) are supposed to be part of their experiments. This raises critical questions: Why is Newt included if he’s not immune? What does this imply about WICKED’s ethics or hidden agendas? Thomas realizes the implications are “enormous” because it suggests WICKED may be lying or manipulating them, and Newt’s presence could mean their safety isn’t guaranteed, even among supposed allies. This moment plants seeds of distrust in Thomas’s mind about WICKED’s true motives.2. Analyze the guards’ contradictory behavior—why do they alternate between reassurance and ominous warnings?
Answer:
The guards display a mix of sympathy (“Don’t be scared,” “I’m sorry”) and stern compliance (“Just do as you’re told”), reflecting their conflicted roles as both caretakers and enforcers for WICKED. The female guard’s snapped response (“You think I like this?”) hints at her discomfort with the cruelty of their task, yet she still follows orders. This duality underscores WICKED’s manipulative environment: the guards are complicit in terrifying the children but attempt to soften the trauma, suggesting they’re trapped in the system too. Their behavior reinforces the chapter’s theme of institutional control masking as protection.3. How does the setting (e.g., the dark tunnel, the Crank pits) contribute to the chapter’s tension?
Answer:
The oppressive setting amplifies dread and foreshadows horror. The unlit tunnel beneath WICKED’s complex feels deliberately sinister, with its darkness symbolizing the unknown dangers of the Flare. The “haunting” cries of Cranks and the rickety gate evoke a prison-like atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the guards’ claims of safety. This physical descent into darkness mirrors the characters’ psychological descent into fear and mistrust. The absence of the moon—which Thomas longs for—further emphasizes the loss of comfort or hope, making the Cranks’ reveal feel inevitable and terrifying.4. Why might WICKED subject Thomas and the others to the Crank pits, despite claiming it’s “for their own good”?
Answer:
WICKED’s stated goal is to teach the children “the dangers of being out here” and reinforce compliance, but their methods reveal darker objectives. By exposing them to Cranks, WICKED weaponizes fear to control behavior, ensuring the group stays dependent on the organization. This aligns with their broader manipulation tactics, using trauma to test reactions or desensitize the subjects. The guards’ vague warnings (“realize why it’s better to stay inside”) suggest WICKED prioritizes obedience over empathy, conditioning the children to accept harsh “lessons” as part of their larger, morally ambiguous experiments.5. Evaluate Teresa’s role in this chapter—how does her actions contrast with Thomas’s reactions?
Answer:
Teresa demonstrates proactive bravery, yelling at the guards for answers and stepping into the Crank pits first, while Thomas is more hesitant, paralyzed by fear (“Every nightmare he’d ever had”). Her defiance (“Say something!”) contrasts with his initial compliance (nodding to the guard), highlighting their dynamic: Teresa challenges authority, while Thomas internalizes his anxiety until spurred to act. However, her grip on his hand also shows shared vulnerability. Their differences complement each other, foreshadowing their later roles as leaders—Teresa’s boldness and Thomas’s cautious empathy.
Quotes
1. ““Don’t be scared,” she whispered. “Randall just wants to teach you a quick lesson about the dangers of being out here. It’s for your own good, and you’ll be safe. Just do as we say and it’ll be over soon. Deal?””
This quote introduces the ominous tone of the chapter, revealing the manipulative tactics used by WICKED to control the subjects. The guard’s reassurance contrasts sharply with the impending horror, highlighting the institutionalized cruelty masked as “lessons.”
2. ““You think I like this?” she snapped. Then she looked around like someone caught stealing. She lowered her voice. “I’m sorry. Really. Just do as you’re told—it makes things a lot easier. All we’re going to do is help you to realize why it’s better to stay inside.””
This moment exposes the moral conflict within the guards, who are complicit in WICKED’s experiments but struggle with guilt. It underscores the theme of coercion and the psychological manipulation of the subjects.
3. ““Cranks,” the female guard answered in a kind tone completely incongruous with the word itself. “Sometimes we need to remind you just how awful this disease is.””
This quote encapsulates the chilling dissonance between the guard’s demeanor and the horrifying reality of the Cranks. It reflects WICKED’s strategy of using fear as a tool to enforce compliance and desensitize the subjects.
4. ““They won’t hurt you,” the man said again. His voice was solemn. “They’ll scare the pants off you, but they won’t hurt you.””
The repetition of this assurance underscores its hollowness, as the guards attempt to justify the trauma they’re inflicting. It highlights the chapter’s exploration of fear as a weapon and the blurred line between safety and psychological torture.
5. “Thomas didn’t want to. Every nightmare he’d ever had was welling up inside him. Teresa’s bravery shook him out of it. She went through the gate, then Alby. Thomas followed.”
This passage marks a pivotal moment of reluctant courage, showing Thomas’s internal struggle and the group’s dynamics. It emphasizes the themes of fear, solidarity, and the inevitability of facing WICKED’s horrors.