Thomas is brought into a place known as the Glade with no previous memories of his life or the outside world. All he remembers is his name. He and about 50-60 other teenage boys inside the Glade call themselves Gladers, and they have developed a community in which every Glader is assigned to his own job. The Glade is surrounded by a giant Maze where vicious, slug-like creatures with several mechanical like arms known as Grievers roam at night. Massive walls known as the Doors surrounding the Glade protect the Gladers from these creatures by sliding closed every night. Every week supplies are brought to the Glade and once a month a new boy is sent up through an elevator known as the Box. The day after Thomas is brought to the Glade, a girl is sent with a message claiming she is the "last one ever". A girl has never been brought in before and the Gladers are excited and confused by her unexpected arrival. Immediately after arriving, the girl falls into a vegetative state. Meanwhile, Thomas learns more about the Glade, and he feels at home like he's been there before. He learns that the Gladers have been trying to solve the Maze for two years and that the Grievers sting can cause you to recall almost complete memories from the past. The process is painful and is dreaded by other Gladers. He feels oddly connected to the new girl and also befriends a young and enthusiastic (if slightly annoying) Glader named Chuck, and also befriends a boy named Newt. On the other hand, he strikes up a somewhat negative relationship with Gally, who thinks suspiciously of Thomas and claims that he has seen him, after he was stung by a Griever, in a process known as the Changing. Thomas also feels an inexplicable urge to be a Runner, the people who explore, map out, and try to find a way out of the Maze. [spoiler]If you are intrested and dont want actual spoilers dont read past this.[/spoiler] One day, one Runner and the "leader of the Glade", Minho and Alby return late from the job. Alby has been stung by a Griever. As the doors are about to close with Minho and Alby outside, Thomas runs to join them in the Maze. After hearing the approaching Grievers, Minho tells Thomas that they must split up and run away, leaving Thomas with an unconscious Alby. Thomas proves he is more than capable of being a Runner by not only saving Alby from the Grievers but also tricking the Grievers into falling off the edge of the Maze, known as the Cliff, with the help of Minho. Minho also realizes Thomas could be the best Runner they have and the two become good friends. If you want more check Wikipedia.