The Labyrinth is behind them, but Thomas, Teresa, Minho, and the rest of the Gladers still can’t relax. The mysterious guiding program of VIRTUE— the secret organization that runs the survival races—assigns the boys and girls new, deadly dangerous trials. This time they must cross a scorching desert and meet the victims of an incurable disease, who have a wild temper and unpredictable behavior. And to make matters worse, the Gladers find themselves trapped in betrayal. Who can you trust if your best friend suddenly starts to hate you out of the blue?