Damn Chapter 9 took long enough didn't it. Lol well anyway hear it is. And I'm so sorry for some of this. She kinda did it though :P. Anyhow this is like the same time placement as Chapter 8. Hope you enjoy. Leave a review it's help more then you know.

Chapter 9- The small hours

Look hard at the darkness, And you will see, Just call my name and I'll be there.
You cannot touch me, You would not dare, I am the chill that's in the air.

Dark rivers are flowing, Back into the past, You are the fish for which I cast.
And what of the future, What is to be, As the rivers flow into the sea. - Metallica

Sully watched Angel, almost hypnotized as she turned her back on him and fled out the metal door, slamming it shut behind her. He turned back to the water that grazed down his skin, feeling like small razor blades as it touched his wound stabbing down deeper past the stitches. That didn't register though, his mind was still wrapped around Angel; the wings, the scars, but most of all that small cross still lace around her neck after all the years that pushed them both farther down into their self misery she had kept it.

He closed his eyes faintly remembering that smile on her face when he laced that necklace around her neck. He feared he never see that smile again, feared he never get to see that same girl again. The image of the bare scars and wings on her back made him reach out to touch them but his fingers met the cold stonewall in front of him. He opened his eyes snatching his hands away. His heart stretched out in an unnamed feeling that ate at his emotions.

"It's my fault," he mumbled clenching his hands in fists. "I abandoned her and she got cold out in the rain." He turned the shower off and snatched up his bag. He pulled out a change of clothes and stuffed his old dirty ones in. He dressed quickly and strapped his pistol and hunting knife back on his belt without any thoughts.

He fell against the wall sliding all the way down to the cold floor. He wasn't ready to go back to reality. In all honesty he didn't want to go back, ever again. He pulled his bag in front of him ripping it open. He pulled out a small syringe and turned it over in his hands.

He starred at the needle full of heroin for a long time. Before the outbreak, doing any drug he could was his favorite pass time. He was always looking for a way to escape the world, escape the present and feel the way he used to before everyone he loved either left or didn't need him anymore.

He grabbed a piece of the remains of Angel's shirt and tied it around his muscle, tying it tight with his teeth. He ripped the cap off that was protecting the needle before he started searching for a willing vein. When he found one he squirted some of the drug out of the needle tapping it lightly with his finger.

He then slowly pushed it into his vein squirting it all in. He pulled it out and less then a moment his head felt light and his eyes rolled back. He rested his head against the wall closing his eyes. Everything ceased to exist. The dead wasn't walking around, his feelings were never a thing, and most importantly Angel was gone. A smile fell on his lips before he opened his eyes. He pulled away the tie around his arm tossing it on the floor and hid the syringe in his bag. He pulled out a crumbled pack of cigarettes.

He quickly pulled one out lighting it up drawing the chemicals deep. "Now that's what I'm fucking talkin' about!" he said happily closing his bag and standing up, throwing it over his shoulder. He wanted music and he wanted it right then. He fled out the door making his way back. He slung the last door open that led outside. He smiled as he starred at Angel's car. He quickly jumped in turning the key on. He pulled the Cd case from beside the seat throwing his bag into the back seat.

He flipped through the various discs, deciding on a Static X Cd. He shoved it into the player and the speakers came to life with distorted guitars and loud, heavy singing. Their infamous song 'Push It' blasted. He tapped his foot to the beat singing along with a wide grin. He swiped up the bottle of alcohol left from his and Angel's conversation before they got shot and took a swig. He was happy for the first time in days.

However, like all good things there's an end. It didn't take the drugs long to fade away and with it the effects did as well. He was left in a state of misery. The fact the dead he watched banging on the fence minutes ago were real, the feelings he had were real, and Angel was still around and she was someone different then he remembered. Then there was the fact he couldn't change any of it settled in.

He snatched up the bottle again remembering what Angel's theory was on the bottle. In the end it was the only friend that would never let you down. Maybe she was right. He took a big swig listening to 'Tera-fied' play loudly. He watched the dead that tried desperately to get in just to end him. He laughed at them before it turned to sadness. He wished he was back with Sammy and Jewel; they made him forget just how fucked up life was.

Jewel's innocence made him believe that there was still hope left for the world. Being here though with Angel and these people killed it. To him Angel was living proof that he couldn't help anyone. Jewel would end up like her if she was left in his hands. Instead of being there when Angel needed him so long ago he ran away from his problems just like he was trying to do at the moment.

That was it, he couldn't take it. He turned the key off jumping out and slammed the door behind him. He turned to the walkway above him realizing that Glen and Maggie had both been watching him. "Hey Glen!" he called up.

"Yea?" the man called back down.

"Will you let me out so I can go get something?" Glen paused a bit confused.

"What do you need to get?" Sully paused not wanting to admit what he was going to go get.

"I umm . . . I wanna go get some flowers." He scratched the back of his neck with a crooked smile.

"What? Why?"

"God damn it! Can't I get some flowers for someone?" Maggie laughed beside Glen as he starred confused.

"I don't think it's a good idea," Glen said in an almost hushed voice. Sully glared up at them both. The look could make a grown man run away. He turned back to the car cradling his head in his hand.

"Fuck it," he growled going back inside. He fell against the nearest wall. The drugs had left the effects of misery and fatigue. He was tired. The shadows consumed him as he laid against the wall.

His breathing swallowed as he heard someone fiddling with the lock on the door that led to the cellblock. He pulled his legs in tighter to be completely hidden from the light. He watched silently as Angel and Daryl fled out and up a set of steps. He glared after them the whole way.

Moments later Glen and Maggie came back and went into the cellblock. The thought hit him hard when he realized that Angel and Daryl were alone somewhere now. The lightest hint of sadness hit his heart before his mind laid waist to the purest form of rage. He rocked on his heels for a moment picture the asshole cradling Angel in his arms.

That did it he pushed himself up taking the steps one at a time. Slowly he made it to the top. He paused at the door picturing what was behind it. Praying there was nothing going on between the two. Then again a part of him was hoping so he'd have a reason to pack up his things and leave. He didn't want to be there anymore. He wanted to be with his brother.

With one more deep breath he slung the door open. His heart dropped to the seemingly bottomless pit that was his stomach. His eyes nearly teared over at the sight of Angel in Daryl's arm. He had her pressed against the fence taking her as his own. Feeding off of her warmth like a leech.

Sully almost fell back. It was the same moment he pictured only minutes before except this was real. His gaze fell to the ground and a pitiful laugh escaped his lips. It was all he could do from tearing into Daryl.

"What?" Angel yelled out at him letting her red eyes fall into his gray. The look on her face made him smile disgustingly at her. He crossed his arms trying to build up a wall so she couldn't see the hurt that consumed his heart.

He could see that she was trying to get away from Daryl. It made him angry that the man couldn't even look at him; no instead he continued to stare at Angel with a hunger he knew all too well.

Sully started to shake inside as his emotions got the better of him. "I get it," he said calmly letting a crooked smile scar his features. Though as calm as he seemed he felt like he was falling apart. "You're a big girl now. Gotta make your own decisions and what not . . . heh . . . if you get burned though . . . you get burned. Ain't no one gonna be there to lick your wounds for you." When he saw that Angel had nothing to say and had no more intentions of getting away from Daryl, he fled slamming the door shut behind him.

After the door shut behind him he slowly slid to the floor. Tears almost fell as his mind tried to wrap around the fact Angel would rather have Daryl's comfort then his own. He finally picked himself and what was left of his heart off the ground.

That was the final reason he needed to leave. In his mind Angel didn't give a shit about anyone except herself. Feeding off of people's pity for herself. He made up his mind that he wasn't going to give her anymore, he was done with this place and her. He wanted to go home with Sammy, Jewel, and yes even Aylen.

He took his time reaching the cell block door. He waited patiently for someone to notice him. After a few minutes when no one even noticed he was there he lost it. "God damn it!" He yelled angrily clenching his fists tightly around the bars. "Let me in!" Glen came running and let him in.

His anger hadn't faded as he made his way to his cell. He charged up the stairs not acknowledging the stares thrown at him. He didn't even notice the hushed tones full of confusion pointed at him. He charged into his cell and started slinging things around grabbing what few belongings he had in the small room.

"Sully," a small feminine voice said from behind him. He turned around starring daggers.

"What Beth?" he asked trying to be calm but the anger he felt penetrated his words.

"What are you doing?" she asked again in that soft caring voice.

"I am leaving! And you people are going to let me! I'm going back to my brother." He still flung things around looking for his other gun as one hand clung to a small shell necklace that had fell out of his pocket.

He froze as Beth placed a hand on his shoulder he dropped the necklace and pillow he was currently holding. His hard expression soften as he turned around slowly to meet her gaze. "Don't leave," she said lightly giving him a look that'd make a full-grown man buckle in two. She still kept her hand placed on his shoulder.

He grabbed her shoulder roughly and starred down at her. "Beth . . . you're one of the only people here that has tried to be nice to me or tried to help me . . . so you'd understand why I gotta go. She rubbed my face in the dirt and I'm done. I don't have a reason to be here. My brother and that lil' girl need me."

"Please Sully . . . don't go . . . we do need you. Your brother and her will be ok, if they weren't you would've never left them in the first place."

He had to stop and think about that one. He pulled his hand away chuckling lightly. "You're a smart little bitch aren't you," he mused not meaning to offend her. She slapped him and he grinned wider. "Didn't mean anything by it."

"Are you going to leave?"

"Well excuse me mam I thought that slap was your way of saying to get the hell out of here." He turned picking his necklace back up and stuffed it in his pocket. As he turned to leave Beth caught his hand.

"Don't go," she begged looking up at him like she wanted to kiss him but didn't have enough courage to do so. He starred down at her for a long moment. He grabbed both of her shoulder and pushed her against the wall closing whatever gap was between them. His whole attitude and personality changed in a split second.

"Beth you're treading on some mighty thin ice right now . . . Starting to get the feeling you wanna fuck me." She blushed brightly and pushed on his chest before bringing her hand up to slap him. He grabbed her hand before she had the chance to make contact with his face. "It's true isn't it?" He gave a devilish smile. "That look you gave me . . . the way you act when I come around." Her cheeks were bright red then.

She was speechless. Her legs throbbed as he pressed his body tighter against hers.

"Heh! You'll probably turn around and fuck that redneck too." His smile disappeared and turned into a sneer. He pushed away from her and proceeded out the door.

"Wait!" she called out with a shaky voice. He stopped and leaned against the wall waited for her next words. He wouldn't look at her. "You're right . . . And honestly . . . I think Daryl is nasty."

"You a virgin?" Sully asked out of the blue. Beth cheeks never lost their color as she starred at his back. She felt like a fool but truth was she thought Sully was hot, everything about him attracted her and she thought Angel was stupid for ignoring him.

"Y-yes . . . I am." He chuckled upon those words.

"I'd hurt you. Best you stay that way."

"I just don't want you to leave though." He finally turned around to meet her, his gaze emotionless.

"Don't try to bribe me with pussy. I'm leaving . . . you get attached to your first . . . I'd hurt you in a lot of ways. I ain't doing that." His frown soften a little as he starred at her. He gave a loud sigh. "I'll stay another night . . . just because I'm a little tired." He pushed past her lying down on the mattress.

Beth almost smiled but she held it until she was outside of the cell. She went to Glen. She approached with confidence. "Glen I need you to do something for me," she said with a smile. He starred at her confused.

"Ok?"

The sun had left and only darkness lay waist to the cell block. Sully felt cold and alone. He felt like crawling in a hole and dieing. He was mad for staying now that it was too late to leave. It just the way that girl had looked at him it reminded him of Angel's innocence when she was younger, it had soften his scared heart. He starred into the endless darkness feeling tears threaten his eyes as a Metallica song (The Unforgiven) played in his head softly.

Fairy tales don't exist he kept telling himself. After all the heart break he knew in his life he should've known Angel would hurt him. He should've known she'd turn her back on him. Then again what hurt the most is that he had done it to her first and he deserved every minute of the hurt he felt.

When he first laid his eyes on Angel as she laid by that gutted deer he thought everything would be better. Thought life could be good again. He was wrong. Then he would look at Beth and see that innocence, this world was going to take it away from her just like it had Angel. He was all too sure about that.

He left his thoughts as a small candle came into view. He watched silently as Beth came in carrying it and something else in her hand. "What Beth?" he asked lowly not to wake anyone else up.

"I thought you could use this," she replied taking a seat on the bed beside him and handed him the bottle of alcohol. He smiled taking it. She set the candle down and watched him. He quickly took the cap off and slung the bottle back taking a big shallow. The thought of being able to get drunk and forget Angel was a wonderful one.

"Thank you," he said bringing the bottle away from his lips.

"Enjoy it." She smiled at him.

A few drinks in Sully was feeling good. Especially with the pretty girl beside him smiling at his jokes. He felt good and had forgotten about the girl that slept downstairs that had ruined his day. He was in the middle of a joke when a new problem spawned and the alcohol left him oblivious to the possibilities of what would happen after.

Beth kissed him roughly. He could feel her shaking under his hands as he grabbed her waist. He pulled away swaying a bit. His hand didn't leave her. "Sweetie you're shaking," he said a bit concerned.

She pulled away from his pulling her shirt off, then her bra. Sully starred at her body as the candle left her skin covered in swaying shadows. He was speechless even more so when she pulled her pants and underwear off.

He gave a small grin. "Wow you're really pretty," he said in a slurred tone making no attempt to touch her. She threw herself at him kissing him once again. He didn't deny her tongue or the feel of her breast against his bare chest.

He closed his eyes pretending it was Angel kissing him, touching him, loving him. He actually believed it was her after a few moments. He bit down into Beth's neck harder then he meant to. She cried out lowly ranking her nails against his chest.

He got hard feeling her soft skin under his rough fingertips, her tongue playing with his. He pushed her over and off of him before he pushed himself up and undid his belt and ripped his jeans off.

He pulled her legs apart, never opening his eyes. He kissed her again before his lips trailed down to one of her breasts. He pulled away a little. "You want me to fuck you beautiful?" he asked with a small grin.

"Yes," Beth replied lowly shaking inside. Sully still swore he was rubbing Angel's breast as he rubbed the tip against her clit. He pushed in slowly surprised at the tightness. Beth bit her lip as a pain shot through her legs and everywhere else. She grasped the covers trying not try cry out as Sully pushed harder. He wasn't gentle at all. Then again he thought he was with a familiar body. Beth finally cried out painfully begging Sully to stop. He was deaf to them he finished pulling out and cummed on her stomach.

"I love you," he said in between pants. Beth said nothing as tears rolled down her face.

He fell beside her against the wall. She got up slowly and put her clothes back on leaving without saying anything.

"Angel you gonna tell me you love me?" Sully opened his eyes finally seeing no one was there. He looked down seeing the blood around his thighs and dieing bulge. Then it dawned upon him even in his drunken haze.

He slapped his forehead. "Fuck!" he yelled out loudly. He picked up the bottle slinging it back and finishing it off. "I fucked up again," he admitted to the air. His voice full of regret. If he had actually realized at the time who he was screwing it would've either never happened or her would've been gentle.

He pulled his jeans on and laid back in the bed trying to go to sleep. He couldn't . . . he had to say sorry. . . had to do something . . .