The Fever Code
Chapter 20
by Dashner, JamesThe chapter opens with Thomas and his friends returning to the WICKED complex in silence after a traumatic event. Escorted by guards, they navigate the facility’s elevators and hallways, exchanging subdued goodbyes as Minho and Alby are separated from the group. Thomas and Teresa are left alone with their thoughts, the weight of the night’s horrors pressing heavily on them. The atmosphere is tense and somber, underscored by the unspoken grief and anger simmering beneath the surface.
Upon reaching their rooms, Thomas confronts the female guard about the cold-blooded killing they witnessed, his anger flaring at her casual tone. The guard deflects, explaining that the act was ordered by Mr. Michael, a key figure in WICKED’s operations. She dismissively instructs Thomas to sleep, hinting that reunions with his friends may not happen for years. This revelation shocks Thomas, who hadn’t considered the possibility of prolonged isolation, adding to his growing sense of despair and betrayal.
Alone in his room, Thomas grapples with the implications of the guard’s words. The thought of being separated from Teresa and losing the opportunity to work on the maze project fills him with dread. Despite the night’s atrocities, he clings to the hope that WICKED’s mission—finding a cure for the Flare—might still justify their actions. His mind races with images of the Cranks and the brutal death of John Michael, leaving him emotionally and mentally exhausted.
As dawn approaches, Dr. Paige arrives to escort Thomas to breakfast. When he asks if she knows about the night’s events, her sad smile offers no comfort or answers. The chapter ends with Thomas caught in a turmoil of conflicting emotions—anger, confusion, and a reluctant sense of duty—as he struggles to reconcile WICKED’s brutal methods with their lofty goals. The weight of the Flare and his role in the organization’s plans leaves him with more questions than answers.
FAQs
1. How does Thomas react to the events of the night, particularly the execution of John Michael, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Thomas is deeply disturbed by the execution of John Michael, as evidenced by his outburst to the female guard: “How could he do that? Just shoot a man in the back of the head?” His anger and disgust highlight his moral compass and empathy, contrasting sharply with WICKED’s cold utilitarianism. The chapter also shows Thomas internalizing his trauma—he lies awake analyzing the “goods and evils” of WICKED, questioning their methods despite their supposed noble goal of curing the Flare. This introspection reveals his critical thinking and growing distrust of the organization.2. Analyze the significance of the guard’s statement that Thomas and his friends won’t see each other for “a couple years.” How does this impact Thomas psychologically?
Answer:
This announcement triggers existential dread in Thomas. Initially preoccupied with the night’s horrors, he now faces prolonged isolation from his only support system (Minho, Alby, and Teresa). The text notes this was “the toughest to bear,” suggesting social bonds are his emotional anchor. His immediate worry about losing Teresa meetings or the maze-building opportunity reveals his fear of purposelessness under WICKED’s control. The time jump foreshadows a period of psychological manipulation, making this moment pivotal in his awareness of WICKED’s oppressive structure.3. How does the chapter portray WICKED’s ethical ambiguity through its characters’ interactions?
Answer:
WICKED’s moral complexity is embodied in two ways: (1) The female guard casually justifies John Michael’s execution as following orders (“Mr. Michael himself… asked him to”), mirroring institutionalized brutality. Yet she shows incongruent kindness (“Bedtime… get some shut-eye”), highlighting how individuals rationalize cruelty within systems. (2) Dr. Paige’s “sad smile” when Thomas asks about the events suggests complicity tinged with regret. These interactions frame WICKED as an entity that dehumanizes both its subjects (the Cranks) and its employees, blurring lines between perpetrators and victims.4. What symbolic role do the Cranks play in this chapter, and how do they relate to Thomas’ internal conflict?
Answer:
The Cranks—described with “empty eyes” and “hollow cries”—serve as visceral reminders of the Flare’s devastation. Thomas’ observation that they’re “human, but the furthest thing from it” mirrors his own dehumanization under WICKED’s experiments. Their presence crystallizes his dilemma: while he hates WICKED’s methods, the Cranks’ suffering validates the need for a cure. This duality fuels his insomnia, showing his struggle to reconcile ends (saving humanity) with means (sacrificing individuals like John Michael or the children he saw slapped).
Quotes
1. “How could he do that? Just shoot a man in the back of the head?”
This quote captures Thomas’s moral outrage and trauma after witnessing a cold-blooded execution. It represents a pivotal moment where the true brutality of WICKED’s methods becomes undeniable to him, shattering any remaining illusions about the organization’s ethics.
2. “Mr. Michael himself, the man who made it possible for all of us to be here today, asked him to.”
The guard’s chilling justification reveals the cult-like obedience within WICKED, where authority figures can command murder without question. This highlights the organization’s disturbing moral framework and the dangerous power dynamics at play.
3. “Couple years, they tell me… It’s for your own safety.”
This ominous statement about the forced separation of friends underscores WICKED’s controlling nature and the psychological manipulation tactics they employ. The phrase “for your own safety” becomes particularly sinister in this context.
4. “They were human, but at the same time the furthest thing from it.”
Thomas’s reflection on the Cranks poignantly captures the tragic dehumanization caused by the Flare virus. This quote represents the central moral dilemma of the series - how to balance compassion with survival in a world ravaged by disease.
5. “She only smiled a very sad smile.”
Dr. Paige’s silent response to Thomas’s question about the night’s events speaks volumes about the complicity and resignation among WICKED’s leadership. This subtle moment reveals more about the organization’s moral compromises than any dialogue could.