Everyone faces challenges and negative relationships at some point in their life, but it is how we overcome these challenges and relationships that shows real courage and independence. Thomas from the book Scorch Trials is just like everyone else. He faces numerous conflicts and negative relationships. In this second installment of the Maze Runner series, Thomas starts being constantly pessimistic and it seems like he is only happy when he is talking to Teresa. He also constantly brings the mood of the group down. Through one main conflict and a few smaller conflicts, Thomas learns to be independent, have a positive outlook on life, and become a great leader. In the novel The Scorch Trials, James Dashner displays that overcoming negative relationships …show more content…
After the gladers enter the “flat trans”, they walk for hours in pitch-black darkness with traps ambushing them at every corner. After finishing the remainder of the passageway running, they eventually come out to find a desolate land that is ridiculously hot and bright. As they start walking through the desert, they notice a city in the distance. They decide that they will try to find food and shelter in the city. But first, they need to rest. This is when Thomas hears what he thinks is Teresa coming from a house a couple of hundred yards away. He starts to approach: “ ‘Teresa what’s going on?’ She didn’t respond, but he heard a short intake of breath then a halting sniff as if she was crying but trying to hide it from him…Thomas stepped forward and put his hand out to her. ‘No!’ she screamed. ‘Get away from me!’ Thomas stopped— it was like something massive had just slammed him in the gut…A very long moment passed in silence. The way her body shook, the way she almost seems to struggle against something unseen… it reminded him of how Gally had been acting, right after they’d escaped from the Glade…Rushing forward, she pulled herself close to him…But then she pulled away…‘Get away from me, Tom,’ she said. ‘All of you need to get away from me. Don’t argue. Just leave. Run.’...Thomas had never hurt so badly.” (Dashner 114 ) Thomas has been walking in the desert feeling …show more content…
He now knows that he must lead the gladers to safety. This is when James Dashner chooses to put the Dark Night of the Soul or the Climax. Thomas now knows that he must be strong for the group. Although Thomas has realized this, he still longs for Teresa. After Thomas has been returned to the group, they set out for the safety zone, having only a few days left. This is when disaster strikes. Thomas gets kidnapped by a group of girls including Teresa. She is very confrontational, hitting Thomas with a spear every time he tries to talk to her. Eventually, when Teresa takes a break to scout ahead, Thomas gets the girls to open up. They tell him that WICKED told them that they are to kill Thomas, and Teresa seems to support their decision. Thomas convinces them that it is a test and that WICKED wants them to let Thomas live. At this point in the novel, Thomas is still trusting of Teresa. He doesn't think that she is going to betray him. But after she leads him into a wooded area, Thomas learns that he thought wrong. “ ‘Tom we need to talk,’ she responded, almost sounding like the girl he thought he knew. ‘Don’t worry about them, just come with me.’... ‘Just come on. The act is over.’...‘You’ve met Aris right?’...‘I happen to know Aris very well. Much better than you're going to like.’ They reached a cave, ...‘Well, we’re here.’ Teresa said…As Thomas watched, she stood on her toes to kiss Aris on the cheek and grinned…‘What is this? Are