The Fever Code
Chapter 33
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 32 of *The Fever Code*, Thomas and Newt navigate the WICKED facility, attempting to reach the Group B barracks undetected. With Teresa’s guidance via telepathic communication, they take a shortcut through a restricted Research and Development lab. Teresa ensures the door is unlocked but abruptly ends their connection after teasing Thomas. The lab is filled with unsettling equipment, resembling a medieval torture chamber, heightening the tension as the duo moves cautiously through the eerie space. Their nervous energy leads to a brief moment of laughter, but the mood shifts when they encounter a mysterious green glow in the darkness.
Curiosity draws Thomas and Newt toward the source of the light—a large glass container emitting a misty green glow. Despite Newt’s reluctance, Thomas is mesmerized by the strange sight. Peering inside, they discover a grotesque, fleshy mass with vein-like patterns and bulbous, glowing growths. The creature’s movements—an arm pressing against the glass—horrify them, and the realization that WICKED is cultivating such monstrosities deepens their unease. The encounter leaves them shaken, reinforcing their distrust of the organization’s secretive experiments.
The discovery casts a pall over their mission as they continue through the lab and into a hidden tunnel leading to Group B’s barracks. Thomas reflects on WICKED’s deception, questioning how much he truly knows about their plans. The encounter with the creature in the vat underscores the organization’s morally ambiguous experiments, leaving Thomas to wonder what other horrors await in the mazes. The chapter highlights the growing divide between WICKED’s stated goals and the disturbing reality of their methods.
Upon reaching the barracks, Thomas and Newt prepare to confront Group B, though Thomas worries about their reaction. The chapter ends on a note of suspense as they peer into the sleeping quarters, unsure of what awaits. The journey through the lab and the shocking discovery of the creature serve as a turning point, deepening Thomas’s resolve to uncover WICKED’s secrets while underscoring the pervasive sense of danger and uncertainty that defines their world.
FAQs
1. What role does Teresa play in helping Thomas and Newt navigate the WICKED facility, and what does this reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
Teresa acts as a remote guide for Thomas and Newt, using her knowledge of security feeds to direct them through less monitored areas of the WICKED facility. She communicates telepathically with Thomas, providing real-time updates and even teasing him with a mental “kiss on the cheek,” which embarrasses him. This interaction highlights their close, playful relationship and mutual trust. Teresa’s assistance also underscores her privileged access within WICKED, suggesting she holds a higher clearance level than Thomas, despite their shared history and collaboration.2. Analyze the significance of the mysterious green-lit container in the R&D lab. How does this discovery impact Thomas’s perception of WICKED?
Answer:
The container, holding a grotesque, veined creature with glowing tumors, symbolizes WICKED’s morally ambiguous experiments. Thomas’s horrified reaction (“he didn’t like what he’d seen”) reflects his growing disillusionment with the organization. The encounter reinforces his suspicion that WICKED withholds critical information, treating him as “just another subject.” This moment deepens the novel’s themes of ethical ambiguity and the cost of scientific progress, as Thomas realizes the true extent of WICKED’s disturbing research beyond the Maze trials.3. Compare Thomas and Newt’s reactions to the creature in the vat. What do their differing responses reveal about their characters?
Answer:
Newt reacts with immediate revulsion, calling the creature “bloody radioactive” and urging Thomas to leave. His practicality and caution contrast with Thomas’s fascination; despite his fear, Thomas is drawn to uncover secrets, leaning closer to inspect the tumors. This dichotomy highlights Newt’s role as the voice of reason, while Thomas’s curiosity mirrors his broader arc as a protagonist driven to uncover truths, even at personal risk. Their dynamic underscores the tension between survival instincts and the pursuit of knowledge.4. How does the chapter use sensory details to create tension during Thomas and Newt’s infiltration of the R&D lab?
Answer:
The scene builds tension through vivid imagery: the “gleaming silver” tools resembling medieval torture devices, the “eerie silence” broken by whispers that sound like “explosions,” and the “misty fog” curling around the green-lit vat. Tactile details (condensation on the glass, the creature’s “squeaking” against its enclosure) immerse the reader in the characters’ dread. The contrast between the lab’s sterile equipment and the organic horror of the vat amplifies the unsettling atmosphere, mirroring WICKED’s fusion of advanced science and grotesque experimentation.5. Critical Thinking: Why might WICKED allow Teresa to aid Thomas secretly, given their strict security measures?
Answer:
WICKED’s apparent oversight of Teresa’s assistance could suggest manipulation—they may be testing Thomas’s resourcefulness or observing how subjects interact under pressure. Alternatively, Teresa might be acting beyond WICKED’s directives, hinting at internal divisions within the organization. Her comment about “owing her big-time” implies she takes risks for Thomas, which could either be a genuine rebellion or part of a larger, orchestrated trial to evaluate loyalty and decision-making among their subjects. This ambiguity reinforces WICKED’s enigmatic and controlling nature.
Quotes
1. “‘You probably know this place better than I even do,’ Thomas said as they made their way around a corner and quietly set off down another long hallway. ‘With all the sneaking around you guys have done.’”
This quote highlights the camaraderie and shared history between Thomas and Newt, while also emphasizing the secretive nature of their environment. It sets the tone for their mission and the underlying tension of being discovered.
2. “‘Tommy,’ Newt whispered. He’d hunkered down next to the R&D door. ‘Wipe that bloody look off your face and let’s keep moving.’”
This moment captures the playful yet urgent dynamic between Thomas and Newt, showcasing their friendship amidst the high-stakes situation. It also reflects the tension and stress they’re under.
3. “‘What in the world…is that?’ ‘No bloody idea,’ Newt replied, refusing to look back. ‘Have we had enough yet?’”
This exchange reveals the horror and mystery of the grotesque creature they discover in the R&D lab, symbolizing the dark secrets of WICKED. It’s a pivotal moment that underscores the ethical and moral dilemmas of their world.
4. “‘We could wake up with three extra fingers and one less eye in the morning.’”
Newt’s dark humor here lightens the mood but also underscores the terrifying and unpredictable nature of WICKED’s experiments. It reflects the characters’ coping mechanisms in the face of horror.
5. “He’d had yet another peek behind the mysterious curtain of WICKED, and he didn’t like what he’d seen.”
This quote encapsulates Thomas’s growing disillusionment with WICKED and his realization of their morally ambiguous actions. It’s a key moment of introspection that drives the narrative forward.