The Scorch Trials

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2010

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Chapters 57-59Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 57 Summary

Thomas is annoyed and confused at the stick in the ground proclaiming that they have reached the safe haven. Minho tries to calm him down, saying that they made it just as they were told to do, and when the appointed time arrives, something will surely happen. Teresa is worried about what that “something” will be, as it would be uncharacteristic of WICKED to just show up and board them onto an airplane. Minho, his hatred for Teresa visible on his face, leaves. Brenda then introduces herself to Teresa, and the tension between the two is similarly evident. Thomas, wanting to get away from all of the awkward stares and tense atmosphere, seeks out Newt.

When prompted by Frypan and Minho, who are sitting with Newt, Thomas tells them everything that happened after he was kidnapped by Group B, including the gas chamber and Teresa’s betrayal. Minho says he will never trust Teresa again, and Newt agrees that going through all of that just so that Thomas will feel betrayed does not add up. Thomas says he has yet to forgive Teresa, but that they are all in the same boat right now. Minho comments that it looks as if lightning might strike at any moment, and Thomas wonders if they should forget about the safe haven idea and look for shelter. Newt says they have not come all this way to give up when, suddenly, Minho sees something. A section of the earth in front of them opens up and an odd, oblong shape appears. Thomas realizes that it is the same egg-shaped pod they saw when they exited the Maze and confronted the Creators. Suddenly, more sections of the ground start disappearing, and the group finds itself surrounded by the pods.

Chapter 58 Summary

Thomas and the others realize that they are surrounded by at least thirty of the coffin-like containers. Teresa and Thomas speak to each other telepathically, recalling the containers from their earlier rescue and wondering if there are Grievers inside of them. However, Thomas and the others wonder if they need to prepare for a Griever attack after all when the sky darkens with the threat of lightning. Suddenly, the lids of the coffins begin to rise and fall off altogether. The teenagers are still unable to see what is inside the pods. Teresa wonders if perhaps they are all meant to get inside of the pods, that perhaps the pods are the real safe haven and that they will be transported somewhere. Finally, Thomas and the others determine that they will need to investigate the pods to see what is inside.

Just as Thomas and Teresa prepare to head over to the nearest pod, an unearthly monster emerges from it. The monster is unbalanced, and appears to have what looks like lightbulbs attached to different surfaces of its body. Soon, monsters appear from each pod. The monsters then raise their hands in unison and steel blades emerge from orifices in their bodies. Minho tells the combined group to prepare for battle. The monsters, as if hearing Minho’s challenge, begin moving towards the teenagers, their movements become steadier and more agile as they approach.

Chapter 59 Summary

The fight commences between the combined group and the monsters. As the sky continues to darken, Thomas and the others charge WICKED’s newest creations. Thomas thinks about everything he has gone through up until this point, and wonders if it is even worth trying to survive anymore. He realizes, however, that he has a mission. He has to defeat the monster in front of him, and so he attacks.

When Thomas strikes the monster, he sees that he has hardly damaged the beast, and on looking at Teresa and the others, sees them striking quickly and moving in and out, wondering at their technique. Thomas is able to crush one of the bulbs on the monster’s skin, and is amazed when the creature pauses. When he looks again at the others and their fighting technique, he realizes that they are indeed jabbing and crushing the bulbs, and understands that perhaps the bulbs are the creatures’ power source. He then changes his tactic, and commences destroying the bulbs. As Thomas makes progress destroying the bulbs, the monster slows down. Just as he is close to finishing the monster off, a huge explosion behind him knocks him and the monster he is fighting off their feet. Thomas looks behind him and realizes that a lightning bolt has struck and destroyed one of the monsters, which means that the storm has finally arrived. He looks up, and sees a number of lightning bolts barreling down toward him.

Chapters 57-59 Analysis

The fears of Group A and Group B are realized when pods appear from out of the ground, signaling that WICKED has more in store for them. The safe haven is turning into a “safe place” in name only, and the groups realize that they might need to fight again. Many in both groups remember the pods from their first rescue and their escape through the Griever Hole. The thought that Grievers might attack is another psychological attack on the groups. Even when a different kind of monster emerges, Thomas wonders if it is even worth fighting them off. The groups are being tested to their limit to see just how much they can endure, with hope hanging in the balance for every last person.

Thomas again shows his ability to change and adapt to circumstances, as he notices how the others are fighting the monsters, crushing the bulbs that are their power source. The speed at which he takes control of the situation highlights his leadership abilities, and shows that he is not quite ready to throw in the towel. Throughout these chapters, Thomas questions whether or not the groups should abandon the safe haven for shelter, and whether the waiting and fighting is worth it. When it comes down to it, however, Thomas shows that his will to live far outshines any momentary lapse into despair.