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    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.
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    The Fever Code

    Chapter 61

    by Dashner, James

    Thomas wakes up ear­ly, his body still recov­er­ing from injuries, and reflects on his grow­ing deter­mi­na­tion to stop WICKED’s cru­el exper­i­ments. Over­hear­ing a cryp­tic con­ver­sa­tion about “bulb crea­tures” in the infir­mary rein­forces his belief that WICKED’s atroc­i­ties will nev­er end. He con­tacts Tere­sa tele­path­i­cal­ly, arrang­ing a secret meet­ing in the cafe­te­ria to dis­cuss his plans. Though cau­tious, Tere­sa agrees, and Thomas pre­pares to reveal his bold idea to resist WICKED’s con­trol.

    In the cafe­te­ria, Thomas con­fides in Tere­sa about WICKED’s new phase of tri­als in the Scorch and the hor­ri­fy­ing exper­i­ments he wit­nessed in the R&D lab. Tere­sa is shocked but admits she sus­pect­ed WICKED’s dark­er inten­tions. Thomas argues that their friends, like Chuck, are in dan­ger, and WICKED’s promised cure is a lie. Tere­sa hes­i­tates, ques­tion­ing how they could pos­si­bly chal­lenge such a pow­er­ful orga­ni­za­tion, but Thomas sens­es she might be swayed.

    Thomas unveils his plan: they will con­vince Dr. Paige to send them into the Maze with their mem­o­ries intact, pre­tend­ing to assist WICKED’s research. Once inside, they will ral­ly the Gladers, secure weapons, and escape. Tere­sa rais­es prac­ti­cal con­cerns about sur­veil­lance and the risks involved, but Thomas insists they must try. He pleads emo­tion­al­ly, invok­ing their friend­ship and loy­al­ty to Chuck, leav­ing Tere­sa deeply con­flict­ed. She asks for 24 hours to con­sid­er his pro­pos­al.

    After research­ing Griev­er weak­ness­es, Thomas receives Tere­sa’s tele­path­ic confirmation—she agrees to join his rebel­lion. Relieved and excit­ed, they divide tasks: Tere­sa will per­suade Dr. Paige to approve their inser­tion into the Maze, while Thomas con­tin­ues plan­ning their escape. The chap­ter ends with Thomas observ­ing Newt, hint­ing at the high stakes of their impend­ing mis­sion. Their alliance marks a turn­ing point in their defi­ance against WICKED’s tyran­ny.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What is Thomas’s primary motivation for wanting to take action against WICKED in this chapter?

      Answer:
      Thomas’s motivation stems from his growing disillusionment with WICKED’s unethical practices and his concern for his friends, particularly Chuck. He has witnessed the horrors of the Purge, the lies, and the cruelty in the Maze, and he recently overheard discussions about new trials in the Scorch involving “bulb creatures.” These experiences solidify his belief that WICKED will never stop their inhumane experiments. His emotional attachment to Chuck and the other Gladers pushes him to the breaking point, compelling him to devise a plan to rescue them and end WICKED’s atrocities.

      2. How does Thomas plan to convince WICKED to send him and Teresa into the Maze with their memories intact?

      Answer:
      Thomas proposes that they persuade Dr. Paige by framing their insertion into the Maze as an opportunity for enhanced analysis. They would argue that retaining their memories would allow them to observe and report on the Gladers’ behavior more effectively, providing valuable data for WICKED’s Variables. Thomas believes the Psychs would be eager to exploit this new approach, as it could yield unprecedented insights. The key is to present the idea with enthusiasm and make it seem like a strategic advantage for WICKED, masking their true intent to organize an escape.

      3. What are Teresa’s initial reservations about Thomas’s plan, and how does he address them?

      Answer:
      Teresa is skeptical about the feasibility of the plan, citing WICKED’s overwhelming power and resources. She questions whether two people can realistically overthrow the organization or even survive the attempt. Thomas acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes the moral imperative to act. He argues that careful preparation—such as securing weapons, studying Griever weaknesses, and mapping escape routes—can mitigate risks. He also appeals to Teresa’s emotions by highlighting the suffering of their friends, particularly Chuck, which ultimately sways her to join him.

      4. What role does the discovery of the “bulb creatures” play in Thomas’s decision-making?

      Answer:
      The “bulb creatures” serve as a tipping point for Thomas, reinforcing his conviction that WICKED’s experiments are becoming increasingly grotesque and unjustifiable. These creatures, described as glowing, veiny, and tumorous, symbolize the organization’s moral decay and relentless pursuit of the “blueprint” at any cost. Witnessing such horrors firsthand in the R&D lab erases any lingering doubts Thomas might have had about WICKED’s intentions, solidifying his resolve to take drastic action to stop them.

      5. How does the chapter illustrate the dynamic between Thomas and Teresa, and why is their partnership crucial to the plan?

      Answer:
      The chapter highlights their deep trust and complementary strengths. Thomas is the driving force behind the rebellion, fueled by passion and urgency, while Teresa provides pragmatism and access to WICKED’s leadership (e.g., Dr. Paige). Their telepathic connection allows for covert communication, which is vital for evading surveillance. Teresa’s eventual agreement to the plan—after careful consideration—demonstrates her loyalty to Thomas and their friends. Their partnership is crucial because it combines Thomas’s strategic vision with Teresa’s influence and ability to navigate WICKED’s hierarchy, making the plan viable.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Yet more evidence of what he already knew—WICKED would never stop.”

      This quote captures Thomas’s growing realization about WICKED’s relentless nature, reinforcing his determination to take action against their unethical experiments. It sets the stage for his pivotal conversation with Teresa.

      2. “Sometimes they really do make it hard to believe in them, don’t they?”

      Teresa’s hesitant admission marks a turning point where she begins questioning WICKED’s morality alongside Thomas. This moment of shared doubt becomes crucial for their eventual alliance against the organization.

      3. “The cure? It’s never going to happen. I just don’t believe in it.”

      Thomas directly challenges WICKED’s foundational justification for their cruel experiments, articulating his complete loss of faith in their supposed mission. This represents a key ideological break that motivates his rebellion plan.

      4. “You really think we can just go into the maze and grab the Gladers and march out of there? Without killing a bunch of people? Getting killed ourselves?”

      Teresa’s skeptical questions highlight the enormous risks of Thomas’s plan while demonstrating her serious consideration of it. This exchange shows the practical challenges they must overcome for their rebellion to succeed.

      5. “For you. For Chuck. For our friends. I’ll help you.”

      Teresa’s eventual commitment to Thomas’s cause represents the chapter’s emotional climax, showing her decision is motivated by personal loyalty rather than ideological conviction. This simple declaration changes their trajectory completely.

    Quotes

    1. “Yet more evidence of what he already knew—WICKED would never stop.”

    This quote captures Thomas’s growing realization about WICKED’s relentless nature, reinforcing his determination to take action against their unethical experiments. It sets the stage for his pivotal conversation with Teresa.

    2. “Sometimes they really do make it hard to believe in them, don’t they?”

    Teresa’s hesitant admission marks a turning point where she begins questioning WICKED’s morality alongside Thomas. This moment of shared doubt becomes crucial for their eventual alliance against the organization.

    3. “The cure? It’s never going to happen. I just don’t believe in it.”

    Thomas directly challenges WICKED’s foundational justification for their cruel experiments, articulating his complete loss of faith in their supposed mission. This represents a key ideological break that motivates his rebellion plan.

    4. “You really think we can just go into the maze and grab the Gladers and march out of there? Without killing a bunch of people? Getting killed ourselves?”

    Teresa’s skeptical questions highlight the enormous risks of Thomas’s plan while demonstrating her serious consideration of it. This exchange shows the practical challenges they must overcome for their rebellion to succeed.

    5. “For you. For Chuck. For our friends. I’ll help you.”

    Teresa’s eventual commitment to Thomas’s cause represents the chapter’s emotional climax, showing her decision is motivated by personal loyalty rather than ideological conviction. This simple declaration changes their trajectory completely.

    FAQs

    1. What is Thomas’s primary motivation for wanting to take action against WICKED in this chapter?

    Answer:
    Thomas’s motivation stems from his growing disillusionment with WICKED’s unethical practices and his concern for his friends, particularly Chuck. He has witnessed the horrors of the Purge, the lies, and the cruelty in the Maze, and he recently overheard discussions about new trials in the Scorch involving “bulb creatures.” These experiences solidify his belief that WICKED will never stop their inhumane experiments. His emotional attachment to Chuck and the other Gladers pushes him to the breaking point, compelling him to devise a plan to rescue them and end WICKED’s atrocities.

    2. How does Thomas plan to convince WICKED to send him and Teresa into the Maze with their memories intact?

    Answer:
    Thomas proposes that they persuade Dr. Paige by framing their insertion into the Maze as an opportunity for enhanced analysis. They would argue that retaining their memories would allow them to observe and report on the Gladers’ behavior more effectively, providing valuable data for WICKED’s Variables. Thomas believes the Psychs would be eager to exploit this new approach, as it could yield unprecedented insights. The key is to present the idea with enthusiasm and make it seem like a strategic advantage for WICKED, masking their true intent to organize an escape.

    3. What are Teresa’s initial reservations about Thomas’s plan, and how does he address them?

    Answer:
    Teresa is skeptical about the feasibility of the plan, citing WICKED’s overwhelming power and resources. She questions whether two people can realistically overthrow the organization or even survive the attempt. Thomas acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes the moral imperative to act. He argues that careful preparation—such as securing weapons, studying Griever weaknesses, and mapping escape routes—can mitigate risks. He also appeals to Teresa’s emotions by highlighting the suffering of their friends, particularly Chuck, which ultimately sways her to join him.

    4. What role does the discovery of the “bulb creatures” play in Thomas’s decision-making?

    Answer:
    The “bulb creatures” serve as a tipping point for Thomas, reinforcing his conviction that WICKED’s experiments are becoming increasingly grotesque and unjustifiable. These creatures, described as glowing, veiny, and tumorous, symbolize the organization’s moral decay and relentless pursuit of the “blueprint” at any cost. Witnessing such horrors firsthand in the R&D lab erases any lingering doubts Thomas might have had about WICKED’s intentions, solidifying his resolve to take drastic action to stop them.

    5. How does the chapter illustrate the dynamic between Thomas and Teresa, and why is their partnership crucial to the plan?

    Answer:
    The chapter highlights their deep trust and complementary strengths. Thomas is the driving force behind the rebellion, fueled by passion and urgency, while Teresa provides pragmatism and access to WICKED’s leadership (e.g., Dr. Paige). Their telepathic connection allows for covert communication, which is vital for evading surveillance. Teresa’s eventual agreement to the plan—after careful consideration—demonstrates her loyalty to Thomas and their friends. Their partnership is crucial because it combines Thomas’s strategic vision with Teresa’s influence and ability to navigate WICKED’s hierarchy, making the plan viable.

    Note