The Scorch Trials
Chapter 58
by Dashner, JamesIn Chapter 58 of *The Scorch Trials*, Thomas and his group witness a terrifying transformation in the desert landscape. Metal sections of the ground rotate and reveal large black squares, each bearing a bulbous white coffin-like pod. The deafening noise stops, leaving only the howling wind and dust. The group is encircled by at least thirty of these mysterious pods, creating an eerie and tense atmosphere. Thomas and the others brace themselves, unsure whether the pods contain Grievers or something even more dangerous, as the wind and cold add to their discomfort.
Teresa communicates telepathically with Thomas, questioning if the pods might house Grievers or serve as a means of transport to safety. Thomas is skeptical but considers the possibility. The group debates their next steps, with Minho and Newt preparing for a potential fight. Harriet and Sonya from Group B join the discussion, suggesting the pods could be related to the Grievers’ origins. The tension escalates as thunder rumbles overhead, and Thomas notes they have only twenty-five minutes before an unknown deadline.
Suddenly, the pods hiss and begin to open, revealing dark blue light and bulky, indistinct shapes inside. The group instinctively huddles together, wary of the unknown threat. Thomas observes a grotesque creature emerging from the nearest pod—a misshapen, humanoid figure with glowing orange growths on its limbs and torso. The creature’s writhing fingers and lack of facial features heighten the horror. Similar monsters emerge from the other pods, each moving in sync, their bizarre forms illuminated by the storm’s flashes.
As the first creature fully exits its pod, Thomas and the others are paralyzed by fear and disbelief. The monster stands taller than any human, its body covered in glowing protrusions. Minho shouts in confusion, but no one can identify the creatures. Thomas, mesmerized yet terrified, watches as the monsters turn toward the group, their intentions unclear. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the fate of Thomas and his friends uncertain as the storm intensifies and the creatures advance.
FAQs
1. What are the physical characteristics of the mysterious creatures that emerge from the pods, and how do they differ from the Grievers encountered earlier?
Answer:
The creatures are humanoid but taller, with wrinkled, pockmarked, naked bodies lacking facial features. They have disfigured limbs with four-digit extremities and distinctive glowing orange bulbous growths (approximately two dozen) protruding from their bodies—on elbows, knees, chest, back, and head. Unlike the Grievers, which had moist, biomechanical bodies suited for the Maze, these beings seem adapted to harsher conditions, with no visible sensory organs. The absence of Griever-like appendages (e.g., mechanical arms, blades) suggests a different function or threat level, though their emergence parallels the Grievers’ role as obstacles in WICKED’s trials.2. How does the group’s reaction to the pods and their contents reflect their evolving dynamics and leadership struggles?
Answer:
The group’s tension is evident in Minho’s distrust of Teresa (“the two queens of glorious Group B”) and Thomas’s hesitation around Brenda and Teresa simultaneously. Decision-making is fragmented: Minho and Newt advocate readiness to fight, while Teresa proposes the pods might be transport. Harriet and Sonya (Group B) contribute observations, showing tentative collaboration. The shared terror of the unknown creatures forces them into a defensive “coiled pack,” highlighting how external threats both unite and expose fractures in their leadership. Thomas’s internal dialogue with Teresa reveals reliance on their bond despite distrust from others.3. Analyze the significance of the storm’s intensification alongside the pods’ opening. How does the setting amplify the chapter’s tension?
Answer:
The storm—with its thunder, lightning, and abrasive wind—mirrors the chaos of the pods’ revelation. Sensory details like the “gritty pinging” of dust and the “wet but dusty” smell create visceral discomfort, paralleling the characters’ dread. The storm’s crescendo (“about to fully beat down its fury”) coincides with the creatures’ emergence, foreshadowing imminent violence. The environment becomes an active antagonist, obscuring vision (Thomas squinting) and drowning voices, isolating the group further. This synergy of natural and artificial threats underscores WICKED’s control and the Gladers’ vulnerability.4. Why might Teresa suggest the pods could be “the safe haven,” and what does this reveal about her perspective compared to others?
Answer:
Teresa’s hypothesis stems from her analytical approach to WICKED’s patterns—if the pods resemble earlier Griever chambers, they may serve a purpose beyond threat (e.g., transport to safety). This contrasts with Minho and Newt’s immediate combat readiness, reflecting her tendency to question assumptions. However, her willingness to explore dangerous unknowns (“Let’s go together”) also shows loyalty to Thomas and a risk-taking streak. Her perspective bridges pragmatism and optimism, but the group’s skepticism (“annoyed look” from Minho) reveals lingering distrust of her past actions.5. How does Thomas’s internal conflict in this chapter reflect his broader character arc in The Scorch Trials?
Answer:
Thomas grapples with fear (“terrified”) but masks it with sarcasm, showing his struggle to balance leadership and vulnerability. His reluctance to engage Brenda and Teresa simultaneously hints at emotional exhaustion from betrayals. Notably, he defaults to telepathy with Teresa despite tensions, indicating unresolved trust in their connection. His observation that “he could never expect anything” underscores his growth—accepting unpredictability in WICKED’s trials. Yet, his hesitation to inspect the pods first reveals lingering self-doubt, a key arc in his journey toward decisive action later in the narrative.
Quotes
1. “The squeal of metal was deafening as the square sections slowly spun on their axles… patches of desert ground rotated until they disappeared, each one eventually replaced with a large black square when it finally settled with a loud clank, one of those bulbous white coffins resting on top.”
This vivid description captures the terrifying and surreal arrival of the mysterious pods, setting the tone for the chapter’s suspense. The mechanical horror establishes WICKED’s continued manipulation of the environment.
2. “Maybe we’re meant to … get inside them, she said after a pause. Maybe they are the safe haven, or they’ll transport us somewhere.”
Teresa’s speculation represents the group’s desperate attempts to rationalize the impossible, showing how trauma has conditioned them to look for patterns in WICKED’s cruel experiments. This moment highlights the psychological toll of their journey.
3. “A misshapen arm hung over the edge, and its hand dangled a few inches above the ground… A perfectly rounded protrusion or growth, maybe four inches in diameter, glowing bright orange.”
This grotesque description of the emerging creatures introduces a new level of biological horror, with the orange bulbs becoming a signature detail that makes these monsters distinct from previous threats like the Grievers.
4. “Roughly human-shaped, though at least a couple of feet taller than anyone around Thomas, its body was naked and thick, pockmarked and wrinkled… several sticking out of a big lump of … what had to be a head, though it didn’t have any eyes, nose, mouth or ears.”
The full reveal of the “Bulb” creatures represents the chapter’s climactic horror moment, combining body horror with existential terror through their facelessness. This visual marks a turning point in the group’s understanding of WICKED’s experiments.