Note: This is my first HDM fic. In fact, It's my first fic ever. I'd like reviews. Mainly because I'm pretty much a perfectionist, and I'd like CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. And yes, the title is bad English. But it sounds better than Lost in the Past.

Disclaimer: I am Philip Pullman; fear me! MUAHAHAHA/sarcasm

No seriously, I don't own Will. Or Lyra. Or Dr. Malone, or anyone else in HDM.

I do own the characters I made myself. No, honestly. There'll be a list at the bottom.

This Fic is dedicated to everyone out there who has ever picked up a pen, or (in my case) pulled out a keyboard and began to write for their own pleasure, NOT for an essay. Also dedicated to everyone out there who likes reading. And dedicated to YOU as well, whoever or wherever you are. That's you.

Lost in Past Chapter 1 Lyra

Lyra sat, with Pan by her side, but otherwise alone on the bench she had come to know so very, very well. Four years since she had made her promise to Will, and left him. She still remembered their time together as if it were yesterday, no, even as if they had only parted two minutes ago. Pan sat on her lap, and Lyra stroked his ermine fur.

Lyra sighed, as in the distance a bell tolled midnight.

" We'd better go, Lyra. Dame Hannah will be wondering where we are."

" Oh, Pan. I've worked with her for ages, and I still can't read the alethiometer as well as she can."

" Lyra, you know half the symbols and their meanings already! Look, I know Will and Kirjava. He already said that he'd hate it if you were depressed all the time! Please, Lyra."

Dame Hannah opened the door of the Botanic Garden.

She knew that Lyra stayed out here on this day every year, but she didn't know why. Lyra didn't talk much about Will. She ushered Lyra inside.

If someone had been looking closely, they would have seen Lyra wipe a tear from her eye.

Will

Will walked along the tarmac, his bag weighing him down, but his conscious was heavier by far. He set off down the drive to Mary's flat, where he and his mother now lived. He still couldn't even begin to move on. He'd never forget Lyra. He hadn't told anyone about what had happened, unless you count Mary. They wouldn't believe him, anyway. More likely take him in for examination and lock him in Bedlam or something.

" Hello Mum!" He called as he came in through the door.

His mum had been slowly getting better, and she didn't need Will's help everywhere. She was even safe shopping on her own.

" Hi Will, how was school?"

Fine, he thought, except for the hundreds of children who have no idea what I had done … where I had been…

" It was good."

But Kirjava knew better.

After Will had gone into his room, Kirjava asked him what had really happened.

" … Kirjava … That girl asked me out … AGAIN …"

"And you said no? Maybe you could try it. One little date. Lyra wouldn't want you to be upset, she said herself."

" And since when did you know Lyra!"

Will yelled furiously.

Kirjava knew Lyra better than Will thought. After 5 years she still hadn't told Will anything about her and Pan's conversation.

Slowly, Kirjava walked away, as Mary opened the door, attracted by the noise.

" I know you miss her. We all do. Just … try to move on. Just try."

She quietly closed the door, leaving Will with his thoughts.

Lyra

Lyra sat with the alethiometer in her hands, slowly turning the hands and studying the book for directions. She still couldn't ask complex questions, but she could ask simple ones. So far she could tell that Will was living with Dr. Malone, but the rest was hazy, and she couldn't understand it.

She was sitting in a small bedroom in Jordan with her roommate, Katie.

They had both been invited to a huge oxford party, to celebrate Dame Hannah's Birthday.

She was getting ready, and she couldn't help taking the alethiometer. She took it all over the place, everywhere she went. The truth was, every atom of her missed Will. She had tried to move on. But she couldn't. There was no way she could ever forget. His soft kiss. The way when they were together, it felt so good and so … so right. With Will, she belonged.

So she thought, this is love.

Will

Will was walking, walking through Oxford with Katie, his date, next to him. Kirjava was walking a little way behind, trying not to get involved.

They had just seen a movie, and Will… Will hadn't enjoyed it. After being with Lyra, movies were the most boring thing in any world in comparison.

Katie looked at Will.

" Aren't you going to kiss me then?"

Will was taken aback. He knew in his head, he'd never love anyone as much as he loved Lyra. They were like person and daemon. Inseparable.

And here came this, this stupid girl who he could never love, asking for a kiss. Holding back his feelings, Will sighed.

Katie looked a little hurt.

" Isn't that what people do when they're in love?"

How can this be love…

" Go on then," Katie urged.

Will began to walk away. Slowly at first, then faster and faster until he broke into a run.

" What's wrong?" Katie called.

Everything was wrong. It would always be wrong as long as he was away from his one true love, his soul mate, his other half. She felt like more than half. More like his whole being. They were symbiotic. One couldn't live without the other.

Through the battle of thoughts in his head, Will could make out the words:why are you running?

That was easy enough. He was running, running as fast as he could, running and running and running out of the street, out of the city, out of the country, out of the world.

Out of the world.

Out of his world.