Category:Cranks
A Crank is a slang term for someone who has been infected by the Flare virus. By the time they are referred to as cranks, they have generally begun to lose their sanity. A deep feeling of hatred is often felt by Cranks towards those who are healthy or immune to the Flare.
A crank develops numerous tell-tale symptoms soon after being infected by the virus. These can include (but are not limited to): irrational behaviour, mental instability, mood-swings, temperamental anger and irritation, paranoia, aggression and animalistic behaviours (such as becoming cannibalistic). The first symptoms are usually painful headaches and moments of madness, nonsense, and insanity. A Crank is known to be past the "Gone" when he or she loses all sense of rational behaviour and no longer responds to reasoning. Often before this stage, they are still capable of speech and can wield weapons quite managebly, although to some extent of hysteria.The rate at which the virus worsens is dependable upon how much activity is taking place in the victim's brain. An extremely active brain, often triggered by stress, will quicken the rate at which the virus grows. Due to this, a treatment (not a cure) known as the Bliss was created to sedate a person's senses and neural activity. The costly drug however is only affordable by the extremely wealthy and only delays the inevitable.
The Kill Order
The name likely originated from Crankheads, who were users of a certain drug in the twenties. The drug had become stronger and stronger, and eventually sent people nuts, complete psychos who never recovered. Alec tells Mark that the way the people in the street are behaving reminds him of a Crankhead party. Since no other mention of the origins of the name Crank are mentioned throughout the series, this is the most likely origin. The Toad mentions that he has things in his brain, which was one of the first symptoms of him being a Crank.
The Maze Runner
At the end of the story, as the Gladers are rushing to the bus, Thomas is confronted by a crank, raving on about how she will save the world. Thomas is terrified at the sight of the Crank. Thomas is then ushered onto the bus away from her, and as the bus leaves it runs her over, causing the driver no apparent concern.
The Scorch Trials
As the Gladers are crossing the Scorch they come upon a seemingly abandoned city. However, as they take shelter in one of the buildings they are confronted by a bunch of Cranks, who reveal that the city is inhabited by them at various stages of insanity. It is revealed that some Cranks are sent to the city so as not to spread the Flare any further.
The Death Cure
At Denver, Thomas, Newt, Minho, Brenda and Jorge find that the city is locked from the cranks. Any Cranks discovered are sent to the Crank Palace, where Newt is also sent. The Palace is filled with Cranks, many dangerous and angry at the group. Later, a group of the Cranks escape the Palace and break into the city along a highway, destroying cars along the way. Thomas encounters Newt here once again, and eventually fulfills Newt's final request written on the note he left for Thomas by shooting him in the head before he progresses any further into becoming a Crank.
Known Cranks
Pages in category "Cranks"
The following 20 pages are in this category, out of 20 total.