The Maze Runner – Book Review

Monumental Rule Broken!

Thomas Enters Maze, Breaking Number One Rule.

Maze Surveillance Rep. Abi Combs, June 7, 2087, WICKED Surveillance Department

Anchorage, Alaska

On June 6, 2087, Thomas entered the maze even though fellow graders told him not to. Thomas did indeed enter the maze alone but he was trapped inside with Keeper of the Runners Minho and Glade leader Alby. Just minutes before the gate closings, witnesses saw Minho dragging Alby towards the exit but was obviously not going to make it so Thomas took it upon himself to enter the maze and help them.

Earlier that day, Newt, a high ranking glade leader, and Thomas decided to watch the doors. Thomas showed signs of wanting to enter the maze while Newt gave up and turned to go back to the Homestead.

Thomas saw Minho and Alby approaching, WICKED beetle blades indicated that he originally thought it was a Griever. Thomas then realized that it was really Alby and Minho. Thomas called Newt but there was no time, upon seeing the boys struggling to reach the glade he ran in at the last second.

Most agents at WICKED were dismayed to hear that Thomas had entered the maze and believed that he would be killed within hours of the doors closing. Lab assistant Dakota Samuels states, “I think we all had high hopes for him, you know? And some of us knew him before, I mean he was a smart guy and I don’t think any of us thought that he would make such a rash decision.”

Once inside the maze, using the beetle blades, surveillance picked up on the conversation Minho had with Thomas. Minho told Thomas that Alby had been stung by a Griever and would soon die. Minho then added, “Course, we’ll be dead, too, so don’t get all weepy for him. Yep, we’ll all be nice and dead soon.”

At the first sound of a Griever Minho ran, leaving Thomas to fend for himself. Thomas used the only resource he had available and tied Alby and himself up in the vines. Soon after the first Griever appeared.The Griever reached the base of the wall and began to climb. Thomas saw this and hurriedly untied himself.

Once Thomas freed himself he swung from vine to vine falling closer to the ground each time, the Griever in close pursuit. As he stepped upon the ground Thomas met three more Grievers. Right then most WICKED agents thought it was Thomas’ end and stopped watching the screens, returning to work.

But Thomas sidestepped the Grievers and continued running. As he ran, Minho pulled him aside and they fled together. After seeing Thomas’ move against the Grievers Minho led Thomas and the Grievers to the cliff. At the cliff, Thomas and Minho sidestepped the Grievers so that they fell off, over the edge.

The surveillance department made sure a beetle blade was present to catch any words that escaped the boy’s mouths. They didn’t speak much but Minho put words to what most people here at WICKED were thinking, “I can’t believe it. Seriously, we made it through the whole night – never been done before.”

Thomas has restored and even raised the expectations WICKED has put on him. Chancellor Ava Paige has a strong belief that he will be a major factor to escaping the maze.