"...Immune? Sorry... immune to what, exactly?" Ashlyn questioned.
Phil smiled more, and Ashlyn could tell he was growing extremely giddy. For what reason, she had no idea.
Ignoring Ashlyn's question, Phil turned to Dustin and said, "Contact base. Tell them we've found an Immune!"
Dustin nodded sharply and immediately ran out of the room. He was obviously excited as well.
"Sir... please... Can you tell me what's going on?" Ashlyn asked, her anxiety rising.
"Of course! Sorry, my dear, I got quite distracted! I haven't been this thrilled in a very long time," Phil explained, his smile still wide.
Phil sat down on the bed across from the one Ashlyn was sitting on, and Ashlyn quickly sat normally, facing Phil and giving him her full attention.
"Miss Carr... what's happened to you could be rather shocking to hear. Do... you still wish for me to proceed with telling you?" Phil asked cautiously, looking rather grim.
Ashlyn gulped slightly, but said, "Yes, sir."
"Alright, young one. And you can call me Phil, you know!"
"...Okay, Phil."
"Excellent. Ashlyn, my dear... where you are right now... is a city by the name of Mortopolis. Everyone here in Mortopolis... prospers. This is one but many of the cities in this realm, but... this one is the largest. This realm... is referred to as 'The Land of Soul.' You may know of the realm known as the Milky Way Galaxy... is that correct?"
"Uh... y-yes."
"The Milky Way Galaxy and The Land of Souls are two of the millions of realms. In normal circumstances, one is not able to travel from realm to realm, but... you, along with everyone here, were able to come here."
"...Why?"
"The Land of Souls... is exactly what it sounds like. It is a home to souls. Specifically, fallen souls. More specifically... the fallen souls of young people. Children. Everyone under the age of twenty-one years old."
"Phil... what's a fallen soul? I'm sorry... I'm a little confused..."
"Fallen souls are the souls of people who have died, Ashlyn."
"Died? I'm dead?"
"I'm afraid so. I'm sorry, young one. I'm sure this hurts to hear, but all of us here in Mortopolis have had to go through the same thing. Although... most people don't remember their death, unlike you."
"Why do I remember?"
"Here's the thing, Ashlyn. The Land of Souls, more specifically Mortopolis, is extremely corrupt. But not everyone knows that, my dear. Our ruler, Emperor Staayo, has taken over the land. He has ruled for over thirty years. As soon as he overthrew his father, who was a good ruler, everyone rioted. So... he and his followers developed a serum to wipe the memories of anyone who is injected with it. But, my dear... one out of about one hundred-thousand people... is Immune to this serum. You are one of those people, as well as me.
"...You are?"
"Yes, Ashlyn. I am. I have been in Mortopolis since before Emperor Staayo took over, so that is the only reason I know all this information. There is a group of people who are just like us; people who remember. They call themselves... The Rebels of Restoration. They track down and rescue Immunes and take care of them, but they also take in children who have had unfortunate pasts, to give them a better life. I am a part of that group, but at the moment I am positioned here as a spy. You see... I work at the palace as a servant. As a result... I hear many things. But in the meantime... I've adopted children who have experienced bad pasts, and I take care of them and act as their guardian. Like you, Ashlyn."
"You... adopted me?"
"Yes, I did. Don't worry, you do not have to call me your father or anything. None of the other kids do. They all just call me Phil. But anyways, I am positioned here in Mortopolis for the moment, but... as soon as Dustin gets the message to our home base of operations... they will ask me to return. And... I will need to take you, along with the other kids, out of Mortopolis, to the outside lands. It is very dangerous and risky, but it is completely necessary, to keep you safe."
"...K-keep me safe? Am... I in danger?"
"Unfortunately you are, Ashlyn. Every single Immune is at risk. The Emperor does not want anyone to remember, because he wants to remain in control. He is aware that people are Immune, and he and his scientists have tried everything they can to concoct a serum that works on everyone, but... he has been unsuccessful. So, instead, he hunts down Immunes, captures them, experiments on them... and tortures them."
Ashlyn felt a wave of panic overcome her, feeling as if someone had just dumped a bucket of ice water on her.
"Oh! I didn't mean to scare you, Ashlyn! You don't need to fear! You are safe here! You are especially safe now that Dustin is contacting our base of operations. You will be protected. You will never be captured under my watch. I promise you, Ashlyn," Phil said sincerely.
Ashlyn nodded, suddenly feeling much more calm. She was starting to get used to Phil's presence and she was starting to really enjoy his company. He was very calming.
"...Thank you, Phil..." Ashlyn said softly, in a shaky voice.
"It's no problem at all, young one. Are you... about to cry, my dear?" Phil asked worriedly.
Ashlyn hadn't realized it until he said that, but her eyes were welling up with tears and her lip was quivering ever so slightly. She was so overwhelmed with emotions. Ashlyn hesitated, then nodded, which spilled tears onto her cheeks.
"Oh, it's okay to cry. You don't need to be ashamed. This is a very overwhelming situation, isn't it?" Phil said soothingly, coming to sit next to her.
"Yeah..." Ashlyn whimpered quietly.
"Everything will be okay, alright Ashlyn?" Phil said gently, putting his arm around the girl's shoulders in comfort.
"...Okay."