When attempting to leave the city and his captors, Thomas is shot by Blondie. The Gladers have yet to see anyone besides WICKED with a weapon as sophisticated as a gun, let alone a Crank. As it turns out, even WICKED is shocked that someone has managed to sneak a gun into the city. To make matters worse, the gun’s bullets are rusted and riddled with bacteria. Thomas quickly catches an infection, even though Jorge removes the bullet. The infection is so severe that Thomas is airlifted from the Scorch and treated by WICKED, who decide break their own rules about interfering in the trials to save Thomas. While WICKED’s ability to save Thomas on a whim demonstrates the enormous power they have at their disposal, the gun shows that no matter how meticulous WICKED’s plan appears to be, no plan is infallible and no organization is omnipotent.

When the Gladers awake the night after their escape from the maze and find that they have been tricked again, they also realize that each of them has been branded with a tattoo. These tattoos identify who they are in relation to the group.