STool problem- var keeps returning 'nil'

[MysteryPancake]

Can someone tell me why HitNorm keeps returning 'nil' no matter if it should have a value or not? I just want this STool to pull the player towards wherever they shoot... continuously.

local HitNorm = nil

function TOOL:LeftClick( trace )

HitNorm = trace.HitNormal

//print(trace.HitNormal) returns a vector?

return true

end

function TOOL:Think()

if ( HitNorm == nil ) then return end //It's always nil?
self:GetOwner():SetVelocity( HitNorm * -1000 )

end

[_Divine]

TOOL.HitNorm = nil


function TOOL:LeftClick( trace )


self.HitNorm = trace.HitNormal


//print(trace.HitNormal) returns a vector?


return true


end


function TOOL:Think()


if ( self.HitNorm == nil ) then return end //It's always nil?
self:GetOwner():SetVelocity( self.HitNorm * -1000 )


end