The Maze Runner, #1
The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Contents
Chapter 40
Overview
In the aftermath of Gally’s attack, Minho returns from the Maze and confirms the Grievers are heading toward the Cliff—the suspected Griever Hole. Newt reveals the Map Room has been burned. Thomas and Teresa deduce the Maze is a code formed by daily section patterns, but the map records are destroyed, stalling their breakthrough.
Summary
Amid chaos at the Homestead, Thomas sprints to the West Door but hesitates before entering the Maze. Newt catches up, injured, and they argue about Thomas risking himself. Before Thomas can act, Minho returns from the Maze, saying he followed the Grievers to confirm their direction.
Minho reports they’re heading toward the Cliff—the suspected Griever Hole—validating earlier theories. As Thomas processes this, Newt points out smoke from the Map Room. Someone has burned all the Map trunks, erasing the Runners’ records.
Thomas goes to the Slammer to check on Teresa. After a brief telepathic nudge, he recounts Gally’s return and the Grievers’ threat to kill one Glader per night. They question why the killings would be limited and whether it ties to “trials” or “variables.”
Teresa focuses on her earlier message that the Maze is a code, suggesting letters. Thomas realizes the Runners analyzed patterns the wrong way: each day’s wall movements across all eight sections should be combined, possibly revealing letters and words.
Just as the insight crystallizes, Thomas remembers the arson. With the Maps destroyed, their new decoding method lacks the necessary records, leaving the Gladers’ best lead crippled at the moment of discovery.
Who Appears
- ThomasRushes to the Maze, coordinates with Newt and Minho, then realizes with Teresa that the Maze is a letter-based code; panics when maps are burned.
- TeresaFrom the Slammer and via telepathy, prompts the code insight, proposing letters; collaborates with Thomas despite being imprisoned.
- MinhoChases the Grievers into the Maze and returns to confirm they head toward the Cliff, supporting the Griever Hole theory.
- NewtInjured and pragmatic; alerts Thomas to the Map Room arson and manages the crisis at the Door.