In the Scorch Trials by James Dashner, the exposition introduces readers to the aftermath of the events in the first book, The Maze Runner. Thomas and his fellow "Gladers" have escaped the maze, but they soon discover that they are not free. They are taken to a holding facility run by WICKED, a shadowy organization that claims to be working for the greater good. Thomas and the others are told that they are part of an experiment to find a cure for a deadly virus that has ravaged the world.
The exposition sets up the main conflict of the story: Thomas and his friends must find a way to escape from WICKED and learn the truth about the organization's motives. They must also contend with the harsh conditions of the Scorch, a desolate and dangerous landscape that is home to many threats, including deadly creatures known as "Cranks" and the "Griever".