Somewhere Out There

Chapter Two - The Knife Revisits

A/N: Thanks for the reviews. :)

Will was walking along quietly with Cynthia. He was nervous, more than he ever had been, and had nothing to say either. The moon shone on her dark hair and eyes, and he had to admit she was very beautiful.

He felt a small pang in his heart as he thought of Cynthia's appearance. You're not betraying her… He looked behind him at Kirjava, padding along pretending to be an alley cat, for reassurance anyway. You're not--

"Is everything okay?"

Will whipped around, startled by Cynthia's voice. "Um… yeah, I-I'm fine."

Cynthia laughed and touched his arm slightly, causing butterflies to erupt in his stomach. "Don't be so tense," she told him, with a brilliant white smile. "I really like you Will."

She leaned forward and kissed him gently on the cheek, and for the first time since he was separated from Lyra, Will considered having feelings for another girl.

Will gasped, sitting straight up in bed, a light blanket of sweat on his face. Kirjava was awake beside him and she placed herself on his lap, licking his hand as he panted and tried to calm himself; it was like that every time he dreamt of such memories. It had been over eight years ago since he finally started dating again, and even though he was presently fine with it, he was still haunted by his decision.

Lying back down, the recollections consumed him again, only this time of another girl. A girl with tawny hair and bright blue eyes, and a kiss that always reminded him of little red fruit…

"You look gorgeous, darling!"

Lyra stared at herself uncertainly in the mirror. The wedding dress she wore was white with a pale blue trim, so pallid the color was barely noticeable, and that made it all the more beautiful. The skirt was bell shaped and swished around her ankles, and she smiled at the feel.

"I like this one," she agreed turning to her company. Lilith, her closest friend from St. Sophia's, nodded fervently, a wide smile on her face.

"I told you! And it matches beautifully with your eyes."

Lyra looked back at her reflection. Her blond hair had grown waist-length since the night she parted with Will forever, and she kept it tied in a long French braid; her eyes were still brilliant and a clear blue, and the features of her face were as soft as ever. Next to her on the platform she stood on was her pine marten dæ mon, looking content and fulsome.

"I think Will will like this one," she said absentmindedly.

"What?" Lilith inquired, puzzled.

"Hm?" Lyra turned towards her friend again, unaware of her mistake.

"You said 'Will' would like that dress… who's Will?"

Lyra blushed and had to twist the other way to hide her tears. I can't believe I just said that! she thought incredulously, and almost laughed at herself. Will has surely moved on… don't cry over a boy you'll never see again. "I… I don't know. I just made a mistake, that's all."

"Uh huh," said Lilith slowly, with an uncertain look.

"Anyway," Lyra added quickly, "yes, I think I'll get this one."

She stepped off the stand and with one more look towards her mirrored image, she headed towards the dressing room with a smile.

"Hello, beautiful," said Collin, standing and kissing Lyra gently on the cheek. He helped her into her seat before sitting back down in his own. "How was your day?"

"Fine. I picked out my dress, finally," she added with a grin. "But you can't see it until I walk down the aisle. Bad luck, you know."

Collin laughed. "If you say so. Are you having the regular for dinner?"

Lyra looked over the menu, though it really made no difference. Every time they went to Gillian's Café (which was often, because it reminded them of their first date) she always ordered the same thing: an omelet and baked beans, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Collin didn't know why; coming from Jordan College, she was accustomed to much fancier meals, but the simple food of the café seemed to give her pleasure. He didn't ask about why she ordered it, knowing it was private, but he always did notice the slight glaze of tears in her eyes as she ate.

"I'll just have an omelet and baked beans," she told the attendant, not in the least surprising Collin.

"I'll have a cup of tea and some tomato soup." After Collin ordered, he turned to Lyra again with a loving smile. "So, all the wedding plans are finally finished."

"Just about. The invitations must be sent, and then everything is finished."

"You are happy, aren't you?"

"Of course. I've never been happier in all my twenty-four years," she said with a laugh.

Pantalaimon stirred in her lap and she had to put her hand on his reddish-gold head. He, as well as Lyra, knew that was an absolute lie.

***

"Hey, Will! Telephone!"

Will's head appeared from the doorway, looking confusedly at his roommate, John. He wasn't expecting a phone call. "Who is it?"

"Says she's Mary Malone."

Will smiled, walking into the room and reaching for the phone. It had been at least a month since he had last heard from his good friend. "Hi, Mary, it's great to hear from you!"

But the voice on the other end didn't sound happy; it may have even been choked with tears, Will couldn't tell.

"Hello, Will. How have you been?"

"I'm fine," he responded quickly, his straight brows furrowing. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes, of course. But… do you think you could stop by later? There are some things here that belong to you, and I know you would want them."

"Today isn't good, actually. I have plans. How about tomorrow?"

Mary sighed. "Well… yes, I suppose tomorrow is fine. Come around two."

"I could cancel my date, if you want me to--"

"No, no, don't do that. Go out. Have fun."

The dial tone rang in his ear and Will placed the phone on the receiver, a confused look grazing his face. Kirjava entered the room, sensing that something was wrong.

"Mary," Will answered on instinct. "Mary called. Said something about some things I need to pick up."

He rubbed his forehead, the curiosity biting strongly. And why had she sounded so sad? It didn't occur to him at that moment that she could possible be upset because in one week it would be Midsummer's Eve, exactly ten years since the separation.

Mary hung up the phone and stared at the broken shards of the Subtle Knife on the table in front of her. The once shadow-colored blade was right side up but the swirling mists of colors were gone, instead replaced with what was frighteningly similar to the aurora. Blues, pinks, purples, oranges, yellows--they formed the Northern Light's curtains and shimmied across the silver surface.

Mary was terrified, there was no doubt about it. Her hands were shaking and her heart beat loudly in her ears; what alarmed her most of all, was how she seemed deathly afraid of something that supposedly had lost its abilities.

Her dæ mon fluttered up to her shoulder. "We shouldn't assume anything," he chirped in her ear, "not until we talk to Will."

Mary nodded, closing her eyes tightly. Don't worry about it, she thought fiercely, just don't worry about it.

A/N: If it seems like Lyra is speaking more properly than before, I figured she probably would had she decided to go to St. Sophia's… so… yeah, that's it. Next chapter'll be up soon.