The Fever Code
Chapter 34
by Dashner, JamesThomas and Teresa, days away from the Maze Trials insertion, find solace in their telepathic connection, their bond deepening as they prepare for the unknown. Their routine is disrupted when Dr. Paige urgently summons them to a meeting with Chancellor Anderson, Ramirez, and other key figures. The atmosphere is tense, and Anderson’s hesitation hints at grave news. The group learns of a potential Flare virus outbreak within WICKED’s facilities, sparked by the disappearance of a Crank from the secured pits, a breach that threatens everyone, especially the non-immune adults.
The revelation unsettles Thomas, though he is immune, as the idea of a Crank loose in the complex fills him with dread. Anderson announces a drastic decision: the Maze Trials will be shortened from five years to two, citing the urgency of the outbreak and the need for accelerated testing. Despite the gravity of the situation, Thomas senses Anderson is withholding critical information, a suspicion echoed by Teresa. The adults’ evasive behavior and exchanged glances deepen the teens’ unease, leaving them questioning the true motives behind the sudden changes.
As the meeting continues, Anderson vaguely mentions future phases of the trials, including potential new locations and technologies like Flat Trans. His frustration and hesitation suggest deeper conflicts within WICKED’s leadership. Thomas recalls disturbing images from the R&D lab, adding to his growing mistrust. Teresa’s telepathic observations confirm his fears—Anderson is stalling, avoiding a truth he refuses to share. The chapter ends with Thomas realizing the deception may not stem from Anderson alone but from Dr. Paige, whose cryptic expression hints at her own hidden agenda.
The chapter underscores the escalating tension and moral ambiguity within WICKED, as the teens grapple with the organization’s secrecy and the looming threat of the Flare. Thomas’s trust in the adults erodes further, setting the stage for greater conflicts ahead. The abrupt changes to the trials and the unresolved mystery of the missing Crank leave both the characters and readers questioning what WICKED is truly planning—and who can be trusted.
FAQs
1. How does the telepathic connection between Thomas and Teresa function in this chapter, and what does it reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
The chapter shows Thomas and Teresa maintaining a silent but comforting telepathic connection at bedtime, where Teresa unconsciously hums, sending Thomas into a deep sleep. This reveals their deep emotional bond and mutual reliance—Teresa has become like family to Thomas, filling a void similar to what Newt has with Lizzy. Their connection goes beyond words, providing emotional stability in stressful times, as seen when Teresa shares her ominous feelings during the meeting. This highlights their unique relationship as “elite” candidates who rely on each other for comfort and support.2. What is the significance of Chancellor Anderson’s announcement about shortening the Maze Trials, and how does it reflect WICKED’s priorities?
Answer:
Anderson’s decision to reduce the Maze Trials from five to two years underscores WICKED’s urgency due to a potential Flare outbreak. This change suggests WICKED prioritizes expedited results over thorough testing, possibly compromising ethical boundaries for survival. Anderson’s frustration about wasted resources (e.g., “it’s a shame to see [the mazes] utilized for less than half the time”) reveals a conflict between efficiency and their original plans. The abrupt shift hints at deeper instability within WICKED, as the adults withhold full truths, leaving the candidates uneasy about hidden agendas.3. Analyze the adults’ behavior during the meeting. What might they be hiding, and how do Thomas and Teresa perceive their dishonesty?
Answer:
The adults (Anderson, Paige, and Ramirez) exhibit evasiveness, exchanging glances and delaying key revelations about the missing Crank and Flare risks. Thomas notices Anderson’s uncharacteristic frustration and Paige’s odd expression, while Teresa deduces they’re stalling. This dishonesty fuels distrust—Thomas realizes Anderson “chickened out” of sharing critical information. The chapter implies the adults fear panic or are manipulating the candidates, as seen when Paige deflects questions about the breach. The teens’ telepathic communication underscores their shared skepticism, positioning them as perceptive but vulnerable to WICKED’s secrecy.4. How does the chapter build tension around the Flare virus and the missing Crank? Why might this threat be particularly unsettling for the characters?
Answer:
The tension arises from the unknown: a Crank vanished from a high-security pit, suggesting a breach in WICKED’s containment. Though the candidates are immune, the idea of a Crank lurking in the complex terrifies Thomas, emphasizing the psychological horror of the Flare. The adults’ alarm (e.g., Paige’s pale face, Ramirez’s strict protocols) heightens stakes, as non-immune staff are at risk. The unresolved threat—paired with the rushed Maze Trials—creates dread, as the characters sense impending chaos but lack control or transparency from WICKED.5. Critical Thinking: Why might Dr. Paige’s reaction at the end of the meeting be more telling than Anderson’s words? Connect this to WICKED’s broader ethical dilemmas.
Answer:
Paige’s conflicted expression suggests internal moral struggle, contrasting Anderson’s performative frustration. As a scientist, she may grapple with the cost of hastening trials or hiding truths from the candidates. Her silence implies complicity in WICKED’s manipulative tactics, such as withholding information “for their own good.” This mirrors WICKED’s recurring ethical violations—using kids as test subjects while justifying it as necessary for humanity’s survival. Paige’s demeanor hints at guilt, raising questions about whether WICKED’s ends truly justify its means.
Quotes
1. “Aside from his mother, whom he would always love, Teresa had become the closest thing to family—the closest thing to what Newt had with Lizzy—Thomas could ever imagine.”
This quote highlights the deep emotional bond between Thomas and Teresa, emphasizing their telepathic connection as a source of comfort and family-like support in the tense pre-Maze Trials environment.
2. “‘We think…we believe that we might have an outbreak on our hands.’ He sat back in his chair and let out a weary breath. Looked again to Dr. Paige.”
This pivotal moment reveals the looming threat of a Flare outbreak within WICKED’s facilities, creating immediate tension and shifting the chapter’s focus to crisis management and accelerated timelines.
3. “‘We’ve decided to shorten the Maze Trials from five years to two. For all we talk about this being a long, slow process, the possibility of a breakout has given us pause. We might have to be a little more…intense with the Variables.’”
This announcement represents a major turning point in WICKED’s plans, showing how external threats are forcing them to compromise their original methodology and potentially subject the subjects to harsher conditions.
4. “‘He’s stalling, Teresa said in Thomas’s mind. There’s something he has to say that he doesn’t want to say.’”
This telepathic exchange demonstrates Thomas and Teresa’s perceptiveness about Chancellor Anderson’s evasiveness, hinting at deeper secrets and creating suspense about WICKED’s true intentions.
5. “‘I guess what I’m trying to say is that this is going to be hard, but I know you’re all up to it.’”
Anderson’s reluctant admission reveals both his nervousness about their accelerated plans and his attempt to motivate the subjects, while still withholding critical information from them.