The Maze Runner, #1
The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Contents
Chapter 39
Overview
Gally bursts into the barricaded Homestead, accusing Thomas and declaring the Maze unwinnable, with Grievers set to take one person each night. He tears down the window boards, letting a Griever inside, then sacrifices himself by diving onto it and is carried away. Newt is injured, and Minho sprints into the Maze after the Grievers, escalating the crisis.
Summary
Gally staggers into the barricaded Homestead, filthy and wild-eyed, shouting that the Grievers will kill one Glader every night until it ends. He singles out Thomas as the cause and punches him before Newt intervenes. Gally then declares the Maze unsolvable and mutters about “Variables,” hinting at a controlled experiment.
Despite Newt’s warning about a Griever outside, Gally calls everyone stupid and begins ripping the boards off the window. When Newt tries to stop him, Gally strikes Newt with a board, knocking him unconscious and bleeding. Gally tears away the last board, and the window explodes inward as a Griever forces itself through.
Thomas freezes, then searches for a way to protect Newt as the Griever reaches in. Gally shouts that no one understands what the Changing showed him and warns Thomas not to remember the real world. He suddenly dives onto the Griever; its appendages lock onto him, and the creature retreats out the window with Gally trapped in its body.
Thomas watches the Griever carry Gally across the Glade and out the open West Door, followed by several more Grievers. As Thomas reels, he spots Minho sprinting and shouts for him to stop. Minho ignores him and disappears into the Maze after the creatures, leaving Newt unconscious and the Gladers’ defenses breached.
Who Appears
- GallyReturns deranged, declares nightly Griever killings, assaults Newt and Thomas, unleashes a Griever, then is taken after diving onto it.
- ThomasTarget of Gally’s blame; recovers from a punch, tries to protect unconscious Newt, witnesses Gally’s abduction and Minho’s pursuit.
- NewtAttempts to restrain Gally; struck by a board and knocked unconscious as the Griever breaches the room.
- MinhoSees Gally taken and immediately sprints into the Maze after the Grievers.
- GrieversOne breaks into the Homestead and carries Gally into the Maze; others follow through the open Door.