[ WP ] The human soul is a confirmed , measurable entity that enters everyone after birth . You have finally come to the realization that yours never showed up .

`` Here's the thing. We still do n't understand what a soul *is. * Richard Dawkins put out the theory that it's just some kind of anomaly and the tests are all flawed. I think you're just putting too much stock into this, you know?'' 
 
 `` I know, I just... I do n't really know, I guess. Ever since I went into the electroscope, nothing makes sense.'' 
 
 `` Maybe it was broken?'' 
 
 `` No. Nana went in with me. So did little Cici. And Margeret is pregnant, and you could see her little boy in her stomach. And when it got to me...'' Thom could n't put what he saw into words. The emptiness. That blank spot, where there was n't a soul. He felt empty and cold when he pictured that screen. 
 
 `` I still think you're a good person. Regardless of whether you have a soul.'' 
 
 `` Nothing makes sense anymore. The entire world has gone crazy. Did you see that riot downtown, at the abortion clinic? All those people throwing rocks and screaming. We used to be able to discount them as religious nuts, shut them down. Now, everyone is an agnostic. And while other people have to look for God, I have to wonder if I ever even came from Him.'' 
 
 There was a knock at the door. Sam went to go answer it, leaving Thom with his thoughts. He returned a moment later with a tall stranger. `` Thom, this is Father Stern.'' 
 
 `` Hello, Thom.'' the father said. He was an older gentlemen with a ramrod spine, in a meticulously clean black suit. `` I spoke with your mother, and she directed me here. I hope you do n't mind if I speak with you for awhile.'' 
 
 `` No, that's fine.'' 
 
 `` I understand you did n't see your soul on the electroscope.'' 
 
 Thom nodded, wondering where this was going. 
 
 `` And I also understand that your father left your family fairly early on.'' 
 
 `` When I was three. Why?'' 
 
 Father Stern reached into his coat and pulled out a large iron coin. `` Would you mind holding this for a moment?'' 
 
 Thom reached out for it, and Father Stern placed it in his hand. Thom immediately yelped and let it drop. It seared his skin with a hiss. `` What was that?'' he yelled. 
 
 `` Iron. Pure iron. Thom, I believe your father was a demon.''
