Running Through the Dark

Chapter 25

NIALL'S POINT OF VIEW

I sat on the couch, waiting for Anna to return and ready to go. I heard the light patter of her feet and i rose fro the couch. I turned to see her standing there with her hair combed an parted to the side. she wore a pale pink beanie on top of her head. A tight pale pink t-shirt adorned her upper half and black jeans clung to her long legs. She had her short ankle boots on with the studs on the side. I was to busy checking her out to realize she was staring back at me.

I stuffed my hands in my pockets and cleared my throat before speaking. "Ready to go, Love?"

She nodded her head and grabbed her white purse. She intertwined her fingers with mine and I opened the door for her. We quickly walked out of the building, trying to avoid the paparazzi. We broke into a swift jog towards the red range rover across the street. We heard the constant click of cameras but we managed to make it to the car quickly. I allowed Anna to drive since they were her errands. She started the car and adjusted the radio. Hime by Phillips Phillips rang throughout the car. She sang along and tapped her fingers to the beat on the steering wheel as we rode through the streets of LA. We drove through the downtown of LA and about 20 minutes past LA. I didn't know where we were going and when I asked she just responded with 'errands'. I nodded and just let her drive. We pulled up to a small shack blackened in the outside with age. There appeared to be an attic where a small light flickered but was barely noticeable in the midday sun. Anna parked the car and jumped out.

I quickly followed, "Anna, are you crazy this place doesn't look very safe."

"It's fine. It's where I get all my tattoos."

"Oh, okay," Wait tattoos?

She continued walking and pushed open the door. I followed her quickly desperate to get off of the dusty dirt road. Inside this creepy shack was a cool little establishment. The first thing I noticed was a big brown desk in the front of the store. Anna was talking with the man sitting there. I glanced around to see old posters hanging on the wall. Playbills from old broadway shows hung in delicate frames along with signed pictures of Marilyn Monroe and John Lennon. The white tiled floor was neat and clean which was surprising due to the outside of the building. Anna turned and sat on a purple velvet couch. I sat next to her and interrogate her about what she was doing.

"Don't worry. It's just a nose piercing, and three little tattoos."

"The boys are gunna kill me for letting you do this."

"There's nothing bad about a lightning bolt and the words courage an hope. Think of it this way, the words 'Courage' and 'Hope' will be on my wrists so if I get the need to cut I'll remember that I have something to hope for and courage to get me there."

I nodded, "But what about the lightning bolt?"

"It won't even be seen by most people."

"Then why get it?"

"Niall, I already have tattoos, it's okay."

I nodded as they called her name and she stood up, I followed her to the chair and watched as a guy pulled out a big piece of machinery. I cleared my throat and the guy looked up. He had tattoos up his arms that leaked out of his rubber gloves and natural orange hair. He smiled at me as Anna introduced us.

"Niall, this is Ed, my usual tattoo artist. Ed, this is," she hesitated for a second as if unsure what to say, "my friend Niall."