I don't exactly know when, how or why this happened... it just happened... (for me at least)
The wind caught silky strands of honey-colored hair and playfully teased them into golden ringlets, circling Lyra' s head. The sun's last rays shone gently at the horizon and echoed across the restless sea as the palette of deep reds, blues and greens darkened in the sky.
Lyra looked across the lapping waves of blue out to sea. Somewhere, Will was seeing the same sunset. (Author's Note: I know what you're thinking... here we go again, another mushy one about Will/Lyra...) But was he thinking the same thoughts as her? She stood still as the foam curled around her ankles. He's coming back soon, she whispered to herself, almost a reassurance.
She turned and the deserted beach and started back the way she had come.
* * *
Will rubbed his temples. It was a long journey. But he'd be home soon. To the peacefulness he'd been waiting six months for. To the quiet little beach that was theirs alone. To her.
* * *
The door opened lightly and Will stepped through. The house was empty. He put down his bags, worry creasing his brow.
He noticed a piece of white paper on the table. I'm on our beach, it simply stated in Lyra's flowing hand. Will pulled off his jacket and ran out the back door. He jumped over the fence and raced across the grass and onto the beach. But there was no one there. Where could she be? he wondered. He heard a sound behind him and jumped and turned at the same time. It was Lyra.
Will smiled. "Lyra." he murmured joyfully, and pulled her into an embrace. "I've been wanting to hold you for so long."
"Will," she said, and hugged him back. She pulled away a little and kissed him.
Will jerked back only a second after their lips met. "Lyra." He said in a confused tone. "Your kiss! It's...different."
She laughed without looking in his eyes. "Don't be silly, Will." She went towards him again.
But Will was persistent. "No. What's wrong, Lyra?" he asked in an almost desperate voice.
"Nothing."
"Then why won't you look at me?"
"I...I will." she looked up at him and smiled.
Will looked in her eyes. He felt himself start. They weren't Lyra's eyes at all. "Lyra, tell me what's going on. Your eyes...they aren't..." Then, in a sudden movement, he hit her in the stomach, hard. Lyra fell backwards, but got up so quickly that Will knew his suspicions were right.
"Will!" she said, still holding her voice at an amiable level. "What was that?"
"Tell me where Lyra is." Will said in a low, cold voice.
"What do you mean? I'm right here."
"Where is Lyra?" Will asked again, his voice hardly audible.
Lyra turned away for a second. Then, with abrupt swing she knocked Will down.
What Will heard next was said in a voice tinged with Lyra yet unmistakably not her, for it was singed with a torrent of hate. It said, "Where is Lyra? A good question, Will. She's where she should have been a long time ago, the world of the dead."
Ugh ugh ugh! That was so bad. I'm sorry. I'm just trying to avoid homework.