The Maze Runner, #1
The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Contents
Chapter 17
Overview
Trapped outside after the Doors close, Thomas finds Minho and a gravely wounded Alby, who was stung by a Griever. Minho, despairing, reveals there’s no survival without the Serum and no precedent for living through a night. As Grievers approach, Minho orders a split and flees, leaving Thomas to face the Maze.
Summary
As the Doors seal, Thomas reels from the finality of being trapped in the Maze at night. He finds Minho and an unconscious, badly injured Alby. Minho bitterly scolds Thomas for breaking the rules, then admits the Grievers can fake death; one stung Alby and fled.
Thomas presses for solutions, but Minho insists that no one has ever survived a night outside and that survival requires the Serum, only available in the Glade. They drag Alby to the Door to make his body easy to find, while Minho explains Grievers prick victims with needles and that stings aren’t always visible.
Desperate, Thomas suggests climbing the vines, but Minho dismisses it, overwhelmed by fear and guilt. Tension flares between them before Minho breaks down, confessing he’s never been so scared.
From deep within the Maze, metallic whirring, clicks, moans, and clanking chains announce approaching Grievers. As terror mounts, Minho decides their only chance is to split up and keep moving. He runs into the darkness, leaving Thomas to confront the night and the oncoming creatures.
Who Appears
- ThomasNew arrival turned rule-breaker; trapped in the Maze, refuses to give up, seeks solutions, prepares to face Grievers.
- MinhoRunner; exhausted and hopeless after Alby is stung, explains Grievers and survival odds, then flees to split up.
- AlbyLeader; unconscious and deteriorating from a Griever sting, propped at the Door, unlikely to survive without Serum.
- GrieversMechanical-creature threats; one faked death and stung Alby; ominous sounds signal their approach at night.