Both Uses of

wretched

in

The Scorch Trials

And terrible, horrible, awful sounds filled the air, like the wretched squeals of animals being tortured.†
p. 6.4 *

wretched = miserable or very bad

As much as Thomas dreaded spending another night in this wretched city, he agreed.†
p. 198.5

Definition:

very bad

in various senses, including:

unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads"
morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."