As far as the Andalites are concerned, I am an aristh and the son of two great War-Princes -- and I think I’m going to fail Z-Space Theory.

As far as anyone knows, I am named after my uncle, whom I’ve never met. He’s supposed to be a great hero, a great legend, and a great example of how important it is to be free. However, only my family -- my parents, my Dad’s parents, and me -- know the whole truth, in Tom’s own words.

My best friend Lee (who just happens to be an Andalite) says it is the same with her own uncle, Elfangor. I don’t know that story -- only she, her parents, her grandparents, and her cousin, who is Elfangor’s son, know that story. I don’t want to share mine so I won’t ask Lee to share hers. It’s kind of an unspoken agreement we have.

I read the story while we were on the long journey with Councilor after the explosion. I never dreamed that, as bad as the whole Yeerk thing sounded, it could possibly be as bad as that. It was written as a letter to my dad...

Jake,

Hey, man. I guess if you found this, you all read my letter. Which means I’m dead. No surprise there; I’m planning it now. Quick and painless. I’ve been through enough pain. You were there when I was freed. I remember that. You explained it all to me. So you guys are the “Andalite Bandits”. Who would’ve thought. Jake, I am so glad you didn’t tell me before, but I guess you understand that’s part of why I’m doing this. Don’t blame yourself, dude. It’s just something I have to do. They’d come looking for me. They’d kill me as painfully as they could, or worse, infest me again.

You’ve been infested before, you know what I’m talking about. You know what they would do, too. If you don’t, then trust me. I’ve seen it. I’ve done it to others. It all started over some girl. In fact, if you want, you can even tell Mom and Dad that’s why I’m doing this -- over a girl. She was in the Sharing. I joined the Sharing. She went to a secret meeting. I followed her. She was a controller. And the rest, Jake, is history.

The Yeerk made me do horrible things. Jake, why do they call us controllers? We don’t control anything. Do you know how hard it is to even write right now? I almost forget how. It’s wonderful to be free. I think I’m insane. You can tell Mom and Dad that’s why I’m doing this -- I’m insane and don’t know better.

You freed yourself. Your friends helped you. I got all my friends captured by the Yeerks. You’ve got good friends. Cassie’s a great girl. Then you freed me. I spent almost three entire days tied up with all these animals everywhere. Who played me, the Andalite or the Android?

I was dying. The Yeerk wouldn’t go without a fight. I tried to kill you, man. I planned to get free and kill you. You can tell Mom and Dad that’s why I’m doing this -- guilt. It wasn’t even just the Yeerk. I was hurting so much, and I wanted to stop the hurt so bad, that I actually agreed to help kill you. I am so sorry. I tried to kill you and you freed me.

Then I was free. You explained everything to me. You made me one of you, gave me weird powers so I could help fight. I wish I could. I would just be a problem for you. Always running, hiding, fighting. I’m too valuable to them. I know too much. I’m a big threat to you and a bigger threat to them.

I’M JUST A KID!!!! I wish I didn’t have to do this. I have to. It’s the only way. Tell Mom and Dad I love them. I do. I love you, Jake. Thanks for your help. I wish it had been worth it. Don’t tell anyone any of this; not Marco or Cassie or anyone. Don’t even tell Mom and Dad until you know for sure that you can. You’ll know when the time is right. I’m free now. I always will be. No one will take this away from me.

Goodbye, Jake. I better not see you again for a long time.

Love, Tom