"I think… I think we're here as part of some weird experiment, or test, or something like that. But it's supposed to end somehow. We can't live here forever—whoever sent us here wants it to end. One way or another." […] "She's just a pawn—they sent her here as our last tool or hint or whatever to help us get out." Thomas took a deep breath. "And I think they sent me, too." (37.33-34)
See, we knew they'd catch on eventually. Thomas is hitting the nail right on the head here. The only point he's missing is that they are all pawns and subjects in a horrible experiment.
Quote 2
Thomas shook his head. "No, you don't get it. They're weeding us out, seeing if we'll give up, finding the best of us. Throwing variables at us, trying to make us quit. Testing our ability to hope and fight. Sending Teresa here and shutting everything down was only the last part, one more… final analysis. Now it's time for the last test. To escape." (48.54)
And there you have it, folks. Why won't the other boys just listen to Thomas? Have they been so badly messed with that they can't trust anybody?
Quote 3
"Whatever the reason, it makes me sick! All of this—the Grievers, the walls moving, the Cliff— they're just elements of a stupid test. We're being used and manipulated. […] They're throwing crazy things at us to see our response, test our will. See if we'll turn on each other." (49.22)
Pro tip: used and manipulated kinda mean the same thing. We're just sayin'…