The Maze Runner

Zart *is the Glade's gardener (farmer) supervisor; a large, silent man. He's laconic, thorough, and doesn't like fuss, but is responsible and meticulous when working in the fields.

• The Farmers (Gardeners) are a group of Gladers responsible for growing vegetables and maintaining the garden. They are strong, hardy men accustomed to manual labor: they dig the soil, sow, weed, harvest, and ensure that the crops survive. They work steadily and with focus, valuing order in the plot and a clear division of tasks. Their work is an essential part of the Glade's survival: the vegetables they grow significantly supplement the Gladers' diet, along with meat and other food.

WICKED (originally WICKED — World In Catastrophe: Killzone Experiment Department; in Russian translation — Rapid Response Program: Worldwide Catastrophe) is an influential organization created with the support of governments to combat the Outbreak virus, which destroys people's minds.

WILDLIFE's goal is to find a cure by studying the brains of teenagers immune to the virus. To this end, the organization conducts brutal experiments: Gladers are placed in the Glade and the Maze to track how their consciousness and behavior change under extreme conditions. The Maze is more than just an obstacle, but a complex testing system: shifting corridors, grievers, and strict time limits allow scientists to record brain reactions and identify patterns needed to develop a cure.

WIKE controls every stage of the experiment, using technology to manipulate the participants' memories and behavior, and concealing the truth from them, presenting what is happening as the only way to survive. Chancellor Ava Paige leads the organization, justifying its inhumane methods with the "higher goal" of saving the remnants of humanity. WIKE's motto is "WIKE is good," and it is used as a tool of psychological pressure to secure the loyalty of its employees.

The organization possesses extensive resources: isolated complexes, armed units, advanced technology, and a surveillance network. However, WILDLIFE does not seek overt domination—its mission is purely research—but for the sake of the "common good," it is willing to make any sacrifice, including the deaths of test subjects.

Teresa is a slender girl with black hair and pale skin; the only girl in the Glade, she was the last to arrive with a note that read, "She's the last." Outwardly calm and reserved, she maintains a somewhat aloof demeanor, making the Gladers wary of her at first. She harbors an inner tension: she hides much and acts as if she knows more than anyone else. She shares a special bond with Thomas—a telepathic understanding that helps them uncover the secrets of the Labyrinth. In critical situations, she displays determination and a willingness to take risks. Her arrival marks a turning point in the Glade and sets in motion a chain of events that leads to the uncovering of WILD's plans.

Teenager Thomas wakes up in an elevator, remembering only his name. He finds himself in the Glade—a closed area surrounded by a gigantic Maze, home to about 60 teenage Gladers, who have also partially lost their memories. The Glade has a system of roles: Runners explore the Maze every day (its walls change at night), while butchers, builders, cooks, and medics maintain the facilities. Grievers, deadly machines, hunt within the Maze at night; the gates close at night, protecting the Gladers.

Everything changes with the arrival of Theresa: she arrives in the elevator with a note reading, "She's the last." Soon, Alby, the Glader leader, is bitten by a Griever. Thomas breaks the rules and saves him, entering the Labyrinth for the first time at night. Later, Thomas discovers a hidden code in the runners' maps. To regain his memories, he deliberately allows himself to be bitten by a Griever. After "The Change," fragments of his memory return.

The Gladers fight their way to the center of the Labyrinth, enter the code, and disable the system. They enter the underground complex and discover the truth: they are being tested by the organization WILDLIFE to study the brains of teenagers immune to the Flare virus and find a cure. In the final scene, Chuck dies protecting Thomas, and the survivors are taken away by armed men—but it's clear the testing continues.

Alby is dark, serious, and has a firm gaze; he is the leader of the Gladers and the boss of the Glade. Strict but fair, he strives to maintain order and prevent chaos, taking responsibility for everyone. Over time, he becomes increasingly withdrawn and tense: the weight of leadership and constant threats weigh heavily on him. He acts deliberately, dislikes hasty decisions, and strives to maintain control even in the most difficult situations.

Minho *- a strong, wiry man; the runner's supervisor. Straightforward, blunt, but reliable; makes quick decisions, fearlessly leads the team into the Maze.

• Thomas *- a thin teenager; a runner. Brave, persistent, acts decisively, often breaking the rules to save others.

• Newt *- tall, strong, with blond hair; used to be a runner. Judicious, level-headed, able to keep his cool in dangerous situations.

• Ben - a runner (in the book); strong, resilient. After being bitten by a Griever, he becomes unpredictable and dangerous, loses control of himself.

Runners are the fastest and most resilient Gladers: they enter the Labyrinth every day before the Gates open and return before they close. Their job is to explore the corridors, compile and verify maps, and find the exit. Because of the risk involved, they are given special privileges—comfortable running shoes and wristwatches. Their work is extremely dangerous: in the Labyrinth, they can encounter Grievers at any moment, and failing to return before dark means death.

Winston *is the Butcher Supervisor; he is a strong man with an imposing presence. He is straightforward, tough, and accustomed to hard work, demanding of his subordinates and intolerant of sloppiness.

• The Butchers are a group of Gladers who work at the Slaughterhouse: strong, hardy men with callused hands. They slaughter cattle, butcher carcasses, and prepare meat; they operate with precision and teamwork, are focused on the task at hand, and value practicality and precision in their work.

Clint *is a short, dark-haired medic (a med-jack), effectively the head of the medics. Calm, collected, and responsible for treatment, he tries to maintain his composure even in difficult situations.

• Jeff is a large man with a high-pitched voice; he is a medic and Clint's partner. Diligent, attentive to detail, he works in sync with Clint and maintains order in the med hut.

Together, they treat wounds, monitor the condition of the sick, and keep track of medications—their work is critical to the Gladers' survival.

Builders (called "chisels" in the Glade) are a group of Gladers responsible for constructing, repairing, and upgrading structures in the Glade.

Galli is the builders' supervisor: dark-haired, stocky; abrupt, quick-tempered, demanding of his subordinates, and strictly monitors the quality of the work.

The other builders aren't singled out as individual characters: they're strong, resilient men with calloused hands, accustomed to hard physical labor. They build shelters, reinforce fences, and repair structures—working in a coordinated manner, without unnecessary chatter, and valuing the practicality and reliability of their structures.

Thomas *- the main character, a thin teenager; a runner, later - one of the leaders of the Gladers. Brave, stubborn, prone to acting impulsively; feels responsible for others.

• Newt *- tall, strong, with blond hair; the second most important in the Glade after Alby. Reasonable, kind, supports his comrades, knows how to smooth over conflicts.

• Minho *- strong, wiry; curator of the runners. Straightforward, abrupt, but reliable; makes quick decisions in critical situations.

• Alby *- dark, serious; leader of the Gladers. Strict, tries to maintain order, over time becomes more and more withdrawn and anxious.

• Chuck *- short, plump, the youngest; assistant, "guide" for newcomers. Naive, talkative, kind; sincerely attached to friends.

• Gally *- dark-haired, stocky; one of the older Gladers. Hot-tempered, argumentative, distrustful; openly resists change.

• Frypan *- tall, with a beard; the cook of the Glade. Practical, a little grumpy, makes sure that everyone is fed; is jealous of his cooking.

• Theresa *- a slender girl; the only girl in the Glade. Calm on the outside, but tense on the inside; acts mysteriously, hides a lot.

• Clint and Jeff *- the coppers (medical workers) of the Glade: Clint is short, with dark hair, Jeff is large, with a high-pitched voice. Responsible, try to help everyone, work as a team.

• Zart *is a large, silent man; he oversees the gardeners. He is laconic, thorough, doesn't like fuss, and takes his work seriously.

• Winston is a strong man; he oversees the butchers. He is tough in his work, straightforward, accustomed to hard work, and not prone to sentimentality.