Book two in the blockbuster Maze Runner series that spawned a movie franchise and ushered in a worldwide phenomenon! And don’t miss The Fever Code, the highly-anticipated series conclusion that finally reveals the story of how the maze was built!      Thomas was sure that escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers. But WICKED isn’t done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch.    The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch—the most burned-out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.    There are others now. Their survival depends on the Gladers’ destruction—and they’re determined to survive.    Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off. The Maze Runner and Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials , and Maze Runner: The Death Cure are all now major motion pictures featuring the star of MTV's  Teen Wolf , Dylan O’Brien; Kaya Scodelario; Aml Ameen; Will Poulter; and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.   Also look for James Dashner’s edge-of-your-seat MORTALITY DOCTRINE series! Praise for the Maze Runner series: A #1  New York Times  Bestselling Series A  USA Today  Bestseller A  Kirkus Reviews  Best Teen Book of the Year An ALA-YASLA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book An ALA-YALSA Quick Pick   “[A] mysterious survival saga that passionate fans describe as  a fusion of  Lord of the Flies ,  The Hunger Games , and  Lost . ” — EW   “Wonderful action writing —fast-paced …but smart and well observed.” — Newsday   “[A]  nail-biting  must-read.” — Seventeen   “Breathless,  cinematic action. ” — Publishers Weekly   “ Heart pounding  to the very last moment.” — Kirkus Reviews   “ Exclamation-worthy. ” — Romantic Times   “James Dashner’s illuminating prequel [ The Kill Order ] will thrill fans of this Maze Runner [series] and prove just as  exciting for readers  new to the series.” — Shelf Awareness , Starred “ Take a deep breath before you start  any James Dashner book.” — Deseret News Praise for the Maze Runner series: A #1 New York Times Bestselling Series A USA Today Bestseller A Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of the Year An ALA-YASLA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book An ALA-YALSA Quick Pick   "[A] mysterious survival saga that passionate fans describe as a fusion of Lord of the Flies , The Hunger Games , and Lost . "— EW   “Wonderful action writing —fast-paced …but smart and well observed.” — Newsday   “[A] nail-biting must-read.” — Seventeen   “Breathless, cinematic action. ”— Publishers Weekly   “ Heart pounding to the very last moment.”— Kirkus Reviews   “ Exclamation-worthy. ”— Romantic Times   [ STAR ] “James Dashner’s illuminating prequel [ The Kill Order ] will thrill fans of this Maze Runner [series] and prove just as exciting for readers new to the series.”— Shelf Awareness , Starred " Take a deep breath before you start any James Dashner book."- Deseret News James Dashner was born and raised in Georgia but now lives and writes in the Rocky Mountains. He is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series— The Maze Runner , The Scorch Trials , The Death Cure , The Kill Order , and The Fever Code —as well as the bestselling Mortality Doctrine series— The Eye of Minds , The Rule of Thoughts , and The Game of Lives . To learn more about James and his books, visit jamesdashner.com and follow @jamesdashner on X and dashnerjames on Instagram. CHAPTER 1 She spoke to him before the world fell apart. Hey, are you still asleep? Thomas shifted in his bed, felt a darkness around him like air turned solid, pressing in. At first he panicked; his eyes snapped open as he imagined himself back in the Box--that horrible cube of cold metal that had delivered him to the Glade and the Maze. But there was a faint light, and lumps of dim shadow gradually emerged throughout the huge room. Bunk beds. Dressers. The soft breaths and gurgly snores of boys deep in slumber. Relief filled him. He was safe now, rescued and delivered to this dormitory. No more worries. No more Grievers. No more death. Tom? A voice in his head. A girl's. Not audible, not visible. But he heard it all the same, though never could he have explained to anyone how it worked. Exhaling a deep breath, he relaxed into his pillow, his razor-edged nerves settling down from that fleeting moment of terror. He spoke back, forming the words with his thoughts. Teresa? What time is it? No idea , she replied. But I can't sleep. I probably dozed for an hour or so. Maybe more. I was hoping you were awake to keep me company. Thomas tried not to smile. Even though she wouldn't be able to see it, it would be embarrassing all the same. Didn't give me much choice in the matter, did you? Kind of hard to sleep when someone's talking directly into your skull. Waa, waa. Go back to bed, then. No. I'm good. He star