CHAPTER 5

My fingers type furiously away at the keyboard, converting what I am seeing into digital format, my frustration expelling through my fingers.

"What ya doin'?" My criminal roomy asks as he enters the living room.

"Converting old books with no copyright into digital format so the world can enjoy classical literature, for free," I reply idly, my focus mostly on my work.

"The work of introverts?"

"I know work may be an unfamiliar term to someone such as yourself, but yes, work," I reply as bitchy as I can.

He barks out a laugh, "you have a lot of opinions about me for someone who knows nothing about me."

"Then enlighten me, have you found a way to get paid for sitting on the couch?" My fingers type furiously away, finishing the last of the chapter, where I still my hand. It is just too difficult to concentrate on working and conversing with criminals.

"Up until my arrest, I worked full time, and then some. I've been employed since I was fourteen in fact, and I am starting a new job on Thursday."

I raise my eyebrows at him, not shocked, but confused. "If you were employed, why on Earth did you go knock over a bunch of places?"

He smirks at me, a dimple showing up on his cheek. "Because Bella, the world isn't as clean-cut as you like to believe. Let me ask you this, if Rose got into trouble, and needed money fast, far more than you are able to provide… what would you do? Let her die as a consequence of her silly actions, or do all you can to protect her."

"So you're saying you rolled all of them places to get money to save a family member."

"Now you're getting it."

"I can understand your predicament… but I can't sympathise with your decision. I've never been in a situation like that, so I can't answer truthfully."

"Oh, this came for you today," he offers a small brown envelope.

My stomach flutters at the sight of it. It has been eleven days since Emmett moved in and eleven days since my last letter from Jasper. I press command and s to save my file and place a strip of scrap paper into the book. "Thanks," I say, and walk upstairs to my room.

I lock the door behind me and flop onto my bed, gently opening the envelope when I still.

03/17/2016

To Isabella,

I'm sorry for my belated reply, I was put into solitary for 7 days which strips me of my 'luxuries' such as correspondence. The head of the Mexican gang in here, Mario can't take no for an answer, and as a result, he had ordered me to be shanked. I managed to defeat my attacker, but the gang retrieved the shiv before the guards got there and the attack was pinned on me. I'm sorry if I am sharing too much too soon, please just tell me to stop if it makes you uncomfortable.

I've started anger management classes today too, as a result of the incident. I almost wasn't going to go, but it gives me something to do to kill time.

Time… that word is depressing.

I must say, that I am please you find yourself unable to stop from writing to me, but I understand if you wish to cease our correspondence, not that I won't be sad about it.

So, you have my file, I have no idea where Emmett got it, but it shouldn't have even been in the state. It doesn't matter though, and you have my full permission to read any part of it you desire, I have nothing to hide… just don't ask me to tell you about the blacked-out stuff.

And as far as you returning the file to me, well… that isn't a meeting I want to miss, but my sentence isn't mere months or years… Aro really did a number on me, so unless miracles happen, that I daresay is an exchange that isn't likely to happen.

And thank you for your gratitude, serving to keep even just you safe was worth it.

I hope to hear from you soon,

Waiting patiently,

Jasper Whitlock

I refold the letter, leave it on my desk, and head down stairs where I find Emmett and Rose in the kitchen.

"I dare you to… eat a mouthful of soap," Emmett says to my sister across the small dining table.

I roll my eyes at the pair, they have been doing this for days now, trying to out-do each other. I look in the fridge, and pull out a banana and some greek yoghurt, this will do.

"Please, I thought you had something hard for me," Rose replies and leaves the kitchen, returning moments later with a cake of soap. She bites a sizeable chunk off and downs it without making a face.

"That was really gross," Emmett comments, face aghast.

"When we were younger, our dad forced us to go stay with our mother for some visitations they had worked out. Anyway, I hated her and I'd repeatedly told her that. Well, she repeatedly said that potty mouths need to be washed out. Needless to say, I ate soap on a regular basis while in her presence." She pauses for a beat, then a cheshire cat grin morphs her face into something more sinister. "I dare you to snort a line of freezer ice."

He stares blankly for a beat, "I thought you were going to give me something hard."

I jump up and seat myself on the bench, giving me a good vantage point for what is about to go down. I pull a straw from the cupboard behind me and cut it down with a close by pair of scissors, then offer it to Rose who had already set up a line of ice.

Emmett takes the item with a smile, and makes quick work of the line. He jerks up quickly, a stunned look on his face. I can't help the smile his torment brings me, so I watch closely, waiting for something to happen.

He raises his right arm and jerks it up and down, then touches the right side of his face, then slaps his right leg. He shoots a horrified look to Rose, "the entire left side of my body is numb!"

She barks out a laugh, and pats his shoulder in comfort. "It will wear off soon. Bella, I'm going to Seattle this weekend to move our stuff out of the apartment, Emmett can't come, so would you like to come and help me?"

"Sure… I'd really like that."