Search Jump: Comments
    Chapter Index
    Back to Story
    Cover of The Fever Code
    Science FictionYoung Adult

    The Fever Code

    by Dashner, James
    “The Fever Code” by James Dashner is a prequel to the “Maze Runner” series, exploring the origins of the Glade and the Maze. The story follows Thomas and his childhood friend Teresa as they navigate the sinister experiments of WICKED, the organization behind the trials. Key themes include trust, survival, and the ethical dilemmas of scientific experimentation. The novel provides crucial backstory, revealing how the characters’ pasts shape their futures in the Maze. Dashner’s tense narrative and world-building deepen the series’ lore, making it essential for fans.
    PreviousNext
    The Fever Code

    Chapter 47

    by Dashner, James

    Dr. Paige leads Thomas and Tere­sa through the WICKED facil­i­ty, reveal­ing her sus­pi­cions about a cov­er-up involv­ing the Flare virus. She explains that Chan­cel­lor Ander­son has been fal­si­fy­ing blood test results to hide the spread of the infec­tion, despite her own obser­va­tions of symp­toms among staff, includ­ing Ander­son him­self. Deter­mined to take con­trol, she out­lines her plan to access the orig­i­nal test data to iden­ti­fy who is infect­ed. The urgency of the sit­u­a­tion is pal­pa­ble as she empha­sizes the need to act with­in 24 hours to pre­vent fur­ther con­t­a­m­i­na­tion and ensure the con­tin­u­a­tion of their work.

    The group arrives at Anderson’s office, where Dr. Paige dis­clos­es her exten­sive pre­cau­tions to avoid con­tract­ing the Flare, includ­ing wear­ing a mask and main­tain­ing strict hygiene. She reveals her pri­or rela­tion­ship with Ander­son, not­ing his recent behav­ioral changes, and con­fi­dent­ly access­es his com­put­er to uncov­er the truth. Thomas grap­ples with doubts about his own immu­ni­ty, recall­ing ter­ri­fy­ing mem­o­ries of the Crank pits. The ten­sion esca­lates as Dr. Paige nav­i­gates through lay­ers of secu­ri­ty, her calm demeanor con­trast­ing with the grav­i­ty of their mis­sion.

    Dr. Paige suc­cess­ful­ly retrieves the blood test results, con­firm­ing Anderson’s infec­tion and reveal­ing that oth­ers with­in WICKED are also affect­ed. The red flash­ing results on the screen under­score the sever­i­ty of the out­break, send­ing a chill through Thomas. The dis­cov­ery val­i­dates Dr. Paige’s sus­pi­cions and solid­i­fies her resolve to take deci­sive action. The chap­ter high­lights the per­va­sive fear and mis­trust with­in the orga­ni­za­tion, as well as the per­son­al risks Dr. Paige is will­ing to take to pro­tect their mis­sion.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with a sense of impend­ing upheaval, as Dr. Paige’s find­ings neces­si­tate a dras­tic shift in lead­er­ship at WICKED. Her deter­mi­na­tion to con­front Ander­son and imple­ment safe­ty pro­to­cols under­scores the high stakes of their sit­u­a­tion. Thomas and Tere­sa are left to process the rev­e­la­tions, their trust in WICKED fur­ther erod­ed. The chap­ter sets the stage for a crit­i­cal con­fronta­tion, empha­siz­ing themes of decep­tion, sur­vival, and the moral com­plex­i­ties of their fight against the Flare.

    Down­load PDF Sum­ma­ry

    FAQs

    • 1. What is the “Purge” that Teresa asks about, and what evidence does Dr. Paige present to suggest something is wrong with WICKED’s blood test reports?

      Answer:
      The “Purge” refers to WICKED’s mandatory daily blood tests to monitor for Flare infection among its members. Dr. Paige reveals that Chancellor Anderson has been manipulating the test results, as she notices discrepancies between the clean reports she receives and the visible symptoms in staff, including Anderson himself. She cites Randall’s infection (seen on security feeds) and Anderson’s own physical decline as proof. Her discovery of breached health data and the lack of positive results in reports—despite observable illness—suggests systemic deception to hide the spread of the Flare within WICKED.

      2. How does Dr. Paige justify her drastic actions (e.g., breaking into Anderson’s office), and what does this reveal about her leadership style?

      Answer:
      Dr. Paige justifies her actions as necessary to uncover the truth and protect WICKED’s mission, stating, “I have to take charge. Tonight.” She leverages favors from terrified colleagues (like Ramirez) and Anderson’s trust in their friendship to bypass security. Her extreme precautions (mask, hygiene routines) highlight her calculated risk-taking. This reveals a pragmatic, decisive leadership style—she prioritizes results over protocol, willing to confront authority when lives and the cure are at stake. Her blend of caution and boldness underscores her transition from subordinate to de facto leader in the crisis.

      3. Analyze the significance of the unlocked door to Anderson’s office. What symbolism does this detail carry in the context of the chapter?

      Answer:
      The unlocked door symbolizes Anderson’s deteriorating control and the vulnerability of WICKED’s leadership. Once meticulous about security, his failure to lock it reflects his physical/mental decline from the Flare, mirroring the organization’s crumbling integrity. For Dr. Paige, it represents an opportunity to expose the truth—she exploits this lapse just as the Flare exploits WICKED’s systemic flaws. The unlocked door also contrasts with Paige’s hyper-vigilance (mask, hygiene), emphasizing the theme of vigilance versus complacency in facing the pandemic.

      4. How does Thomas’s internal conflict (“what if he wasn’t really immune?”) deepen the tension in this scene?

      Answer:
      Thomas’s sudden doubt about his immunity—triggered by the Crank pit memory—adds personal stakes to the institutional crisis. While the group focuses on Anderson’s betrayal, his fear underscores the psychological toll of WICKED’s lies. The juxtaposition of the flashing red test results with his introspection creates dramatic irony: readers (and Thomas) realize immunity might be another manipulation. This moment humanizes Thomas, reminding us that even “special” subjects are vulnerable to WICKED’s deceit, amplifying tension about who can truly be trusted.

      5. Evaluate Dr. Paige’s statement: “I could hardly call myself a doctor if I didn’t [take risks].” How does this reflect the ethical dilemmas central to WICKED’s mission?

      Answer:
      Paige’s words encapsulate WICKED’s moral paradox: sacrificing ethics (privacy breaches, coercion) to save humanity. Her balance of self-preservation (masks) and risk (exposing Anderson) mirrors WICKED’s justification of harsh methods for a greater good. Yet, her actions—unlike Anderson’s—are transparent to her team, suggesting a more accountable approach. The line critiques WICKED’s tendency to dehumanize subjects; Paige, by contrast, acknowledges the cost of risk-taking while maintaining her identity as a healer, hinting at a potential middle path between ruthlessness and idealism.

    Quotes

    • 1. “It was like she’d accepted some woolly mantle of responsibility and wore it high on her shoulders. He found himself believing she could save this situation.”

      This quote captures Dr. Paige’s transformation into a decisive leader, marking a pivotal shift in her character and the chapter’s tension. It introduces the theme of responsibility in crisis.

      2. “The sad truth is that Chancellor Anderson’s time leading WICKED has to come to an end.”

      This blunt statement represents the chapter’s central conflict - the covert overthrow of WICKED’s leadership due to the Flare crisis. It signals the moral ambiguity of necessary but ruthless actions.

      3. “I have to take charge. Tonight.”

      Dr. Paige’s declaration underscores the urgency of the situation and her resolve to act decisively. This short, powerful statement drives the chapter’s action forward and establishes her leadership role.

      4. “For all his security fears, he hasn’t been very original with passwords.”

      This ironic observation highlights a key plot point while subtly commenting on human nature - even powerful leaders have vulnerabilities. It provides momentary levity in a tense scene.

      5. “Chancellor Kevin Anderson had the Flare. And, as it turned out, so did a few others at WICKED.”

      This revelation serves as the chapter’s climactic moment, confirming suspicions about the infection’s spread and setting up the story’s next phase. The blunt delivery emphasizes the gravity of the situation.

    Quotes

    1. “It was like she’d accepted some woolly mantle of responsibility and wore it high on her shoulders. He found himself believing she could save this situation.”

    This quote captures Dr. Paige’s transformation into a decisive leader, marking a pivotal shift in her character and the chapter’s tension. It introduces the theme of responsibility in crisis.

    2. “The sad truth is that Chancellor Anderson’s time leading WICKED has to come to an end.”

    This blunt statement represents the chapter’s central conflict - the covert overthrow of WICKED’s leadership due to the Flare crisis. It signals the moral ambiguity of necessary but ruthless actions.

    3. “I have to take charge. Tonight.”

    Dr. Paige’s declaration underscores the urgency of the situation and her resolve to act decisively. This short, powerful statement drives the chapter’s action forward and establishes her leadership role.

    4. “For all his security fears, he hasn’t been very original with passwords.”

    This ironic observation highlights a key plot point while subtly commenting on human nature - even powerful leaders have vulnerabilities. It provides momentary levity in a tense scene.

    5. “Chancellor Kevin Anderson had the Flare. And, as it turned out, so did a few others at WICKED.”

    This revelation serves as the chapter’s climactic moment, confirming suspicions about the infection’s spread and setting up the story’s next phase. The blunt delivery emphasizes the gravity of the situation.

    FAQs

    1. What is the “Purge” that Teresa asks about, and what evidence does Dr. Paige present to suggest something is wrong with WICKED’s blood test reports?

    Answer:
    The “Purge” refers to WICKED’s mandatory daily blood tests to monitor for Flare infection among its members. Dr. Paige reveals that Chancellor Anderson has been manipulating the test results, as she notices discrepancies between the clean reports she receives and the visible symptoms in staff, including Anderson himself. She cites Randall’s infection (seen on security feeds) and Anderson’s own physical decline as proof. Her discovery of breached health data and the lack of positive results in reports—despite observable illness—suggests systemic deception to hide the spread of the Flare within WICKED.

    2. How does Dr. Paige justify her drastic actions (e.g., breaking into Anderson’s office), and what does this reveal about her leadership style?

    Answer:
    Dr. Paige justifies her actions as necessary to uncover the truth and protect WICKED’s mission, stating, “I have to take charge. Tonight.” She leverages favors from terrified colleagues (like Ramirez) and Anderson’s trust in their friendship to bypass security. Her extreme precautions (mask, hygiene routines) highlight her calculated risk-taking. This reveals a pragmatic, decisive leadership style—she prioritizes results over protocol, willing to confront authority when lives and the cure are at stake. Her blend of caution and boldness underscores her transition from subordinate to de facto leader in the crisis.

    3. Analyze the significance of the unlocked door to Anderson’s office. What symbolism does this detail carry in the context of the chapter?

    Answer:
    The unlocked door symbolizes Anderson’s deteriorating control and the vulnerability of WICKED’s leadership. Once meticulous about security, his failure to lock it reflects his physical/mental decline from the Flare, mirroring the organization’s crumbling integrity. For Dr. Paige, it represents an opportunity to expose the truth—she exploits this lapse just as the Flare exploits WICKED’s systemic flaws. The unlocked door also contrasts with Paige’s hyper-vigilance (mask, hygiene), emphasizing the theme of vigilance versus complacency in facing the pandemic.

    4. How does Thomas’s internal conflict (“what if he wasn’t really immune?”) deepen the tension in this scene?

    Answer:
    Thomas’s sudden doubt about his immunity—triggered by the Crank pit memory—adds personal stakes to the institutional crisis. While the group focuses on Anderson’s betrayal, his fear underscores the psychological toll of WICKED’s lies. The juxtaposition of the flashing red test results with his introspection creates dramatic irony: readers (and Thomas) realize immunity might be another manipulation. This moment humanizes Thomas, reminding us that even “special” subjects are vulnerable to WICKED’s deceit, amplifying tension about who can truly be trusted.

    5. Evaluate Dr. Paige’s statement: “I could hardly call myself a doctor if I didn’t [take risks].” How does this reflect the ethical dilemmas central to WICKED’s mission?

    Answer:
    Paige’s words encapsulate WICKED’s moral paradox: sacrificing ethics (privacy breaches, coercion) to save humanity. Her balance of self-preservation (masks) and risk (exposing Anderson) mirrors WICKED’s justification of harsh methods for a greater good. Yet, her actions—unlike Anderson’s—are transparent to her team, suggesting a more accountable approach. The line critiques WICKED’s tendency to dehumanize subjects; Paige, by contrast, acknowledges the cost of risk-taking while maintaining her identity as a healer, hinting at a potential middle path between ruthlessness and idealism.

    Note