The Maze Runner, #1
The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Contents
Chapter 11
Overview
Ben, deranged from the Changing, attacks Thomas in the graveyard, forcing Alby to shoot Ben with an arrow. The trauma leaves Thomas sleepless, but Newt pushes him into training with the Slicers under Winston. As Thomas reels from the grisly work, a Runner returns far too early from the Maze and collapses, signaling a new crisis.
Summary
In the graveyard at dusk, Ben—gaunt and unstable from the Changing—threatens Thomas with a knife, accusing Thomas of being dangerous. Alby arrives with a drawn bow and orders Ben to stand down. When Ben lunges, Alby fires; the arrow lodges in Ben’s cheek, dropping him. Alby departs, leaving Baggers to handle the body.
Reeling from shock and pain, Thomas staggers from the woods and vomits, haunted by the image and sound of the arrow striking Ben. That night he lies awake replaying the attack, brushing off Chuck’s attempts at conversation until finally drifting to sleep.
In the morning, exhausted and numb, Thomas is led by Newt to begin job training, both to keep busy and to move past the incident. Newt updates him that the girl remains in a coma. Thomas is assigned to the Slicers under Winston and tours the Blood House pens, dogged by Bark the Lab.
Thomas spends hours feeding and cleaning animals before witnessing Winston slaughter a hog, which sickens him and convinces him the Slicer role isn’t for him. Sent to lunch, Thomas walks toward the East Door, still unsettled by the grisly work and Winston’s demeanor.
As Thomas passes the Box, an Asian Runner stumbles in through the West Door far earlier than usual, drenched in sweat and gasping. Before Thomas can speak, the Runner collapses, abruptly raising new alarms about what happened in the Maze.
Who Appears
- ThomasTarget of Ben’s attack; traumatized by Alby’s arrowing of Ben; begins Slicer training; witnesses a Runner collapse.
- AlbyLeader who intervenes in the graveyard and shoots Ben with an arrow to stop the attack.
- BenGriever-stung boy deranged by the Changing; attacks Thomas with a knife; is shot and left for Baggers.
- NewtSecond-in-command; steadies Thomas and assigns him to Slicer training; updates him on the comatose girl.
- ChuckTries to comfort Thomas at night, but annoys him; later drags him through morning routine.
- WinstonKeeper of the Slicers; tours Thomas through the Blood House and slaughters a hog during training.
- Unnamed RunnerAsian Runner who returns hours early from the Maze, exhausted, then collapses in the Glade.
- BarkQuiet black Lab that follows Thomas during the Blood House tour.