Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction piece based on the TV series Kyle XY. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, producers or anyone else holding any sort of rights to this or any other media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
A blond teenager entered the confessional across from him, only barely interrupting his meditation. He recognized her by her voice but pretended not to, because she'd been crying. A lump threatened to form at his throat when he thought of the many things this particular girl had gone through. The loss of her father, the betrayal of a previous boyfriend, a family financial crisis; the list went on.
"Father, I am torn." Fresh tears fell, but she continued resolutely. "The greatest love of my life – my boyfriend – is a c…" A great sob is wrenched from her before she can finish the sentence. "… a clone."
The pastor had heard myriad things in his long life, even confessions to the greatest of sins, the seven cardinal sins, but never had he heard anything so outlandish in his life. He supposed it was bound to happen in the next 50 years, but not in his lap, so to speak. As the poor girl fought with her emotions, he thought long and hard about the situation. He'd heard her speak of him and had even met the boy. It was over two dozen seconds before he spoke. "Child, do you love him?" He saw her nod, as sobs continued unabated. He suppressed a sigh as best he could. He whispered back, "And I trust he loves you as well." He paused a moment, "Please child, tell me how you learned of this."
Over one hundred minutes later, he had pieced together a sordid tale of scientific debauchery so terrible, he felt it had to be fiction. The problem was the teller of this fiction. She was a bright star in his congregation; she and her mother were quite involved in the parish. The fact that her telling of the tale had gone so deeply into detail was particularly unnerving.
He'd even met the young man once at her confirmation and he seemed kind and good natured. A devil in sheep's clothing, then? Perhaps, but he'd certainly taken his time corrupting this girl – indeed had yet to do so – despite having the strength and undoubtedly the abilities. It was shocking he could levitate in the air, jump from the roof of a house only to land effortlessly, manipulate electrical currents in his immediate surroundings, and had incredible talents besides.
She had repeatedly stated her tale to be nothing but the truth, and that her boyfriend himself also preferred to only tell the truth. He decided to tackle this area first. "You've known Kyle for well over two years now, and he's known about his past for over a year and never once did he tell you any of these things?"
She had recovered somewhat and only the occasional tear fell from her bright blue eyes. "His creators are not to be trusted. They kidnapped me on my prom night only to test his abilities. Although they'd never supposedly meant me any harm," she added with derision. "He told me it was his way of protecting me, but now that they've shown him their intentions, or at least a glimpse of them, he told me I had to know the truth."
It was common practice to look primarily ahead when in a confessional, but just then she turned toward him. She tried to ask her short question but her voice cracked. Several moments later, "Does he have a soul?" He had no answer.
Another hour passed. He would soon have to leave her to prepare for mass that evening, but he sensed some inspiration. Having questioned her about Kyle and his story, he felt he knew the young man better than many. He'd been extremely candid with the poor girl. It was absolutely clear to him that he meant well but there was so much danger in even being associated with him as well.
"Is this boy a living, breathing, and loving human being?" He knew the answer from their long discourse but wanted her to respond. "Do you think it possible he is hiding more from you, that he may not be telling you everything?"
At this she smirked. "How can I know if he's told everything? I can't know for sure, but I also know he loves me and has promised me to keep nothing from me."
"You believe him." More statement than question, meant primarily to facilitate further elaboration.
Her voice was somber, her face lowered. "In my heart, I do. I still do. He is the kindest, most trustworthy and selfless person I have ever met."
He sighed audibly. "You are right to have grieved so much over this issue, over the lies, the half-truths. But he certainly seems kind and gentle and worthy of love. He seems human to me; maybe too human." He caught her rapid glance toward him. He had raised his hand specifically to halt any budding questions. "He was probably misguided in keeping those secrets from you. Know this though: your life with him will be fraught with nothing but peril and anguish should the secret come out before the world is ready to hear it. I refuse to judge a man, and an extraordinary man he appears to be. But let me ask you this, and think hard about your answer. Sleep on it, meditate upon it, pray about it. Where will the truth end, and where will the lies have to begin to keep him a secret? Are you prepared to willfully break Holy Commandments and lie to your mother or your extended family about him?" She nodded, saying not a word, knowing he likely had a little more to give. She certainly listened to his sermons, as he often had a very tough spiritual issue presented before offering an enlightening parting thought. Life was not all fire and brimstone. "Although quite likely against the official policy the Church will take as a whole, if you are committed to doing what is best for the world, not only yourselves, then you have my personal blessing on the matter." Her eyes turned directly to his. "Let your heart guide you my child."