The Maze Runner, #1
The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Contents
Chapter 22
Overview
At dawn, Thomas and Minho survive the night, question the Cliff’s strange disappearance of Grievers, and hurry back to the Glade. Newt organizes Alby’s rescue, and Thomas and Minho are sent to recover. Thomas fixates on WICKED and the comatose girl. The Grief Serum saves Alby, who immediately enters the agonizing Changing.
Summary
With sunrise breaking, Thomas and Minho remain motionless at the Cliff, exhausted and stunned they survived the night. Thomas examines the drop and notes the Grievers seemed to vanish after going over the edge, which a tossed rock fails to replicate. They conclude survival till dawn likely prevented more Grievers from arriving.
Remembering Alby, Thomas insists they return. As they limp through the Maze, Minho reconsiders long-held assumptions about the Grief Serum, realizing survival past sunset might still allow treatment. Minho explains the Serum arrives weekly from the Creators and triggers the Changing but saves the stung.
They meet Newt at the now-open West Door and show Alby bound high in the ivy where Thomas left him. Newt, shocked Alby might be alive, orders Thomas and Minho to the Med-jacks while he leads the recovery. On the way in, Gladers stare in awe; Thomas stares down Gally, who looks away.
In the Homestead, Thomas glimpses someone feeding the comatose girl and feels drawn to her. As he rests, he obsesses over the word WICKED seen on beetle blades and the mystery of the girl. After sleeping, Chuck wakes Thomas to report that Alby is alive—the Serum worked.
Relief is cut short as Chuck adds that Alby has just started the Changing. A horrific scream from down the hall confirms the process has begun, underscoring both the cost of survival and the urgency of understanding WICKED and the Maze.
Who Appears
- ThomasExhausted but determined; saved Alby by tying him in ivy; returns at dawn and fixates on WICKED and the girl.
- MinhoRunner who survives the night with Thomas; reassesses assumptions about the Serum; leads the way back.
- NewtSecond-in-command; organizes Alby’s recovery and orders Thomas and Minho to the Med-jacks.
- AlbyLeader found alive in the ivy; given the Serum; begins the painful Changing.
- ChuckWakes Thomas with news that the Serum saved Alby; announces the start of the Changing.
- GallyGlader who glares at Thomas but looks away when confronted, signaling shaken confidence.
- The comatose girlUnconscious newcomer; briefly seen being fed; occupies Thomas’s thoughts.