Running Through the Dark

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

ANNA'S POINT OF VIEW

"Niall, this is Ed, my usual tattoo artist. Ed, this is my," I hesitated, "friend Niall."

They shook hands and Ed turned back to me with the piercing gun. Niall gripped my hand tightly. It was like he was afraid it would hurt. "Niall, its okay,"

"Its gunna hurt,"

"I've felt worse,"

He nodded nervously and Ed put the gun in position and as Ed pushed the lever, Niall squeezed my hand. I giggled at his childness.

"You can open your eyes, Niall. Its okay, he's done."

Niall slowly opened his eyes and his cheeks flushed red.

"Niall, don't you have a tattoo? All the boys do."

"I.... I just don't like tattoo's"

"Oh," my face dropped, "Okay".

"No, its not that I don't like how they look, I just, I don't like needles or pointy things,"

I nodded as Ed handed me a mirrorr.

I lifted it up and wasn't expecting what I saw.

This girl had brown hair and dull blue eyes that looked almost grey. They aren't the same bright blue they once were. A small silver ring stuck out of my nose. And I had a smile but it wasn't the same innocent smile 18 year old Hannah had. But, I was happy. For once, I realized I was happy. I handed back the mirror and Ed carefully tattooed 'hope' in script on one wrist and 'courage' on the other. Next he tattooed a small lightning bolt behind my ear. I thanked Ed and payed Jack at the front desk and walked out of the shop. Niall followed me silently. We climbed back into the car and I drove us a little farther out of town. I pulled up to a small pink house. I parked outside of the house and Niall quickly grabbed my hand he gave a weird look but I just ignored it. I walked up ad knocked on the door. Alice immediately opened it and allowed me and Niall in the house. She had a big chair sitting in their kitchen. Alice quickly pulled me in a hug.

"Babe, you haven't been in awhile, I was so happy to hear from you!"

"I know we haven't seen each other in awhile" I pulled away and Niall introduced himself.

They shook hands and Alice turned to me, "Is He your boyfriend?"

I blushed and Niall spoke up,

"No...just friends," Alice nodded and grabbed ny hand but I heard Niall mutter, "Not yet," I turned around to see his eyebrows knitted together and a stern frown. He noticed me staring and immediately flashed me a bright smile. I bit my lip as I sat in the chair. Alice stood behind me and faced a mirror. I explained to her how I wanted to die my hair to a maroon-ish red. And just trim my tips. She nodded shaking her blonde hair. I've known Alice for awhile She's studying for beauty school so I always come to her to get my hair done. She always is redoing her hair so I was surprised to see her natural blonde hair. But as she laughed, her hair shook exposing her bright pink tips. She wore a gold halo across her forehead. She began my hair as Niall asked her questions,

"Do you live here alone?"

"No, I actually take care of my mom. She has breast cancer and all of my siblings live in New York City with jobs, so I stay and take care of her,"

Niall nodded, "I'm sorry to here she's in poor health,"

"Yeah it's too bad, she's just such an inspiration to everyone who meets her. If you'd like you can neet her when I'm done here with Anna,"

"I'd like that,"

Alice nodded and continued to rinse my hair. Once she finished, my hair was dark red with even waves throughout my locks. I stood up and thanked Alice. I handed her my money and she led us into a back room. She quietly opened the door letting in subtle light into the dark room,

"Mom,"

"Mhhm?"

"I have some people here to meet you. I'm gunna turn the light on, okay"

"Mhhm"

A dull light turned on and I was welcomed into the familiar room. Niall and I walked up to the bed and sat on the edge while Alice helped her mom sit up. She handed a small cup of water and her mom took it in her shaky hands before placing it to her wrinkle lips. She handed it back and turned to us.

"Mom, this is my friend Anna who you've met before, and her friend Niall,"

A small smile twitched at her lips but she winced in pain. and her lips went limp.

"And guys, this is my mom, Johanne."

I could see the sadness on Alice's face that I have seen all too many times. I spoke up,

"Hi, Jo! How are you feeling?"

"I don't feel much pain anymore, mostly just love which I'd say is pretty good. So to answer your question, I feel the best I have in years," Her small, raspy voice whispered.

I chuckled, "Well you look amazing too!"

"Mhhm"

Then Niall spoke up, "It's really nice to meet you,"

"You too, I always enjoy having visitors, especially the cute ones, although Alice doesn't bring me many of them,"

Alice cut her off, "Mom!"

Jo began to chuckle but it quickly turned into a deep cough full of pain. The smile on Alice's face dropped and Jo closed her eyes but continued talking,

"Well Neil," I silently laughed, he always hated it when fans called him that but with Jo's deteriorating health, it was kind of cute, "You have a good one. Anna is a very kind girl with a kind heart. I sure am gunna miss her when my time comes," Niall nodded and I spoke up,

"Hey, don't say that, You could still have a good five years in you,"

Tears started to sting in my eyes,

Jo spoke again, "Or maybe I have a week," She said and erupted into another coughing fit and closed her eyes, causing silence in the room.

Niall looked worried but I whispered, "Its okay, shes weak and tired, she just fell asleep,"

He nodded and Alice led us out of the room and back to the kitchen. I thanked her an Niall and I left the little pink house and headed home.

AUTHOR NOTE

hey guys I just wanted to say that im proud i updated on time for once and its not a short wimpy chappie. Also I pictured Anna'a hair to look like Cat Valentines (from Victorious) how did u picture it? Also Jo is short for Johanne if you were confused. Also since school started today im gunna update on Sundays instead of Mondays. kk biiiii!!!

Kailey xx