Dear readers, tonight wit us is a young man who was kidnapped at an early age for experimentation, and then rescued. He’s here to tell us about a world with angels and shape-shifting demons.

Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up and what was it like there?

I was born in Kiringham and lived there until I was about seven or eight. That’s about when things started to go bad—my dad died in action, my mom passed away, and then there was the experiment… Yeah, no need to dwell on that. Mr. Archibald found me—all messed up—and saved my life. He decided I wouldn’t be safe in Kiringham anymore, so he took me all the way to North Scarlot (which sits across the ocean from Kiringham).

Since then, I’ve lived with my aunt’s family in a quiet neighborhood called Aredene. It was a swell place. Well, my aunt and uncle were kind of strict, and I was annoyed by them, but my cousins and I got along well. Chris is like my best friend, my brother, and we’re there for each other. And of course, Agnes is really sweet too. As for my aunt and uncle… I don’t know, man. After everything that happened, I kind of feel… Okay, I feel that I was in the wrong, and I was the one being mean and annoying. They loved me and they cared for me, but I just didn’t understand that. I do now.

There I said it. I hope you’re happy, Chris.

You mentioned your birth parents. Do you have any cherished memories that you would like to share?

My mom was the best. What I remember best about her are her stories. Stories of angels battling demons—or Fallen, as we call them. The angels were beautiful and fierce, and even when they lost battles, they never gave up. That’s what my mom said. She made me believe in hope. I miss her.

As for my dad… I don’t remember him much. He was always gone, fighting in Orelia or whatever other country it was. He was supposed to be there when Mom got sick. Instead, he had to go off and got himself killed. Mom died almost right after.

I heard that you’ve recently been named a commander for the Missionseekers. How does that feel?

I’m honored. Mr. Archibald says I earned it after Castellum Island—fighting the Cassowary, stealing the antidote, and all that. Honestly, I’m just glad we made it out of there alive.

Now, I lead small Missionseeker squads. We’ve had a lot of new recruits—mostly the kids we rescued from the South Venez mines. But, since the Cassowary disappeared after Castellum, things have calmed down a bit. We’re mostly just tracking down leftover Sicariuses and Fallen. I love being on the move every day, fighting bad guys and demons. That’s when I’m in my element.

What is the worst thing about being a Missionseeker?

Knowing that no adults are coming to help. Aside from Mr. Archibald, all the Missionseekers are kids. We’re the only ones who even believe the Cassowary and the demons are real. Sometimes it feels special, like you’re in on a big secret. But when things go bad (like it did last year), you wish someone stronger, more experienced would show up. Expect they don’t.

What did you think when you met Jens and the other Missionseekers for the first time?

I thought Jens was an arrogant idiot. Bro, that guy literally kidnapped me. And he never stops smirking. Same for the other Missionseekers. They were not much older than me, so I assumed they weren’t—you know—competent. Boy was I wrong. They’re all extremely brave and talented. And Jens was one of a kind… even if he drove everyone crazy.

So, what can you tell us about your latest adventure?

It all started when Mr. Archibald got kidnapped. I wouldn’t have done half of what I did if it weren’t for him. I definitely wasn’t trying to save the world. Everything we did was dangerous, insane. The South Venez mines, for instance, and the Alkade jungle.

Still, I made a lot of new friends along the way. That was worth it.

What was the scariest thing in your adventure?

What went down on the cruise ship. I don’t like to think about it. That was when I realized people can really get hurt, and friends can die. The mines were pretty damn scary too. Oh, and that Fallen I met outside headquarters. Jeez, talk about creepy demons…

Whom (or what) do you really hate?

The Cassowary for starting this; General Evancreek for helping him and hurting Mr. Archibald; and George for what he did to us. And Gehenna. He’s the worst of them all.

What about your friends?

Well, I already mentioned Chris… There’s also Margaret and her brother Luis. They’re brave, kind, and loyal right down to the soul. Lily too—she’s amazing. She does fire tricks and knows everything there is to know about angels and demons. Then there’s Jens, Tayla, Gary, Scott, and Paul—the founding members of the Missionseekers. And the Lorann family. They’re the most incredible and unique people I know.

And of course, Mr. Archibald. He’s been there since the beginning. He feels like a father sometimes—gives me advice I don’t always want, but always need. Everything I’ve done… it was because of him. He saved my life.

Any romantic involvement with anyone?

Um, no, ha-ha…

Really? What about Lily?

Lily? Uh…we’re just friends. I think that’s what she thinks of me. We’re not dating or anything.
Not that I don’t like her—she’s smart, pretty, and a great fighter. And she gets me in a way no one else does.

Okay, fine. I might have a crush on her.

Don’t tell her I said that.

Favorite drink, color, relaxing pastime…?

Orange juice, green, and sketching.

Finally, would you like to share a secret with us, which you’ve never told anyone else?

I’m a Stain. That means I’m possessed by a Fallen—even though I’m also an Elevan. It’s all because of the damned experiment with the Pearl. I lost control and transformed once…

Some of my friends know, but not all of them. And I’m definitely not telling Lily. Because she’s an Elevan too.


En Hui Ye is a teen author from the Island of Montreal, Canada. She started writing at an early age and it is her favorite pastime to this day. She also enjoys reading, skating and spending time with her four brothers. The Longest Journey, which is the first book of a series called The Seven Pearls, is her first novel.

You can find Tom on the pages of The Longest Journey.

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