1942 - Emmett

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A clang came from my celldoor as somebody unlocked it. The sound echoed loudly in the quiet, empty room.

"Emmett." I heard Charlie say.

"Yeah, Chief?" I opened my eyes and saw him poking his head through the door. He was frowning at me in concern.

"You okay son?"

I coughed a little as I tried to sit up.

"Uhh, not really." I tried to joke, but it came out awefull.

Charlie grimaced. "You're old man is here to see you." He said. "I'll bring him in here in a minute. Do you want anything?"

"Nah, don't bother."

"I'll just make some tea."

I nodded.

Charlie disappeared and soon the door opened and my father entered.

"How are you feeling son?" He came walking over to me.

"Not too well, but could have been worse."

"Are they still interrogating you?" He asked as he came sitting down next to me.

"No. Not since a couple of days ago. I haven't seen any of them actually. Only Charlie comes in a couple of times a day."

Dad frowned. "That's odd."

"I try not to think about it." I shook my head. "How's Mom? And Alice?"

"Oh, they're all right. They're doing the best they can. Alice has a new teacher."

"Is he any good?"

Dad smiled softly. "She complains about him constantly."

I grinned. "Well, I am the best teacher anyone could get."

Dad smiled fully now, his eyes crinkling. "Don't get too full of yourself." He clapped me lightly on the back. I winced.

"Sorry," Dad mumbled, looking down. "I try so hard not to think about what they are putting you through during those interrogations, that I almost forget. Of course that's just hope playing foolish tricks on the mind."

I wanted to tell him not to worry. To tell him that I would survive, that I was strong enough. But I didn't know if I really was, I didn't know anything. So I just said nothing at all.

Charlie came in and handed over the mugs. With a nod to the both of us, he left the room again.

We were both quiet, my Dad and I.

We looked so much alike and then at the same time so different from each other. My father was tall, lean with narrow features. I was tall and had a broad built. His hair was blonde, mine a dark brown. His nature was calm and serious, while I liked to joke around. But, even with our differences, you could tell I was my father's son.

"So, uh-" Dad coughed, "Rosalie is having a hard time with this."

My heart clenched.

Rose.

"How is she?" I asked quietly. She never tried to show any of her emotions when she came to visit me, other than affection.

"In general, she's okay. But she really misses you. She keeps Esme company almost every day after work."

I nodded.

"Hey Dad," I asked him after a couple of minutes.

"Yes?"

"Have you seen Jacob around town?"

"Jacob?", he asked with wonder.

"Yeah, Billy's son. Jacob."

"I can't say that I have." My father mused.

I froze. Did they get him too?

"Oh,wait, I did see him. I saw him on Wednesday at the market, I believe. Why are you asking?" He turned to me curiously.

I released the breath I was holding.

"Oh, it's just that he's a good friend of mine."

"Really? I never knew."

"Yeah, well, only recently. He helped me out a couple of times, and we became good friends. I was just wondering how he's doing."

"He seemed fine." Dad shrugged.

We didn't talk much after that. We just enjoyed the opportunity to be around each other, something that I've come to appreciate very much, lately.

My father couldn't stay too long.

"Son, I have to go now. Your mother is waiting."

"Yeah. Give her my love, and Alice too. And tell Rose, when you see her, that I love her." I said to my father as I hugged him goodbye.

"Sure. I'll tell them." He hugged me back. "And here, I almost forgot." He added. He reached into his pocket and handed me an envelope.

It didn't have any writing on it, but I could guess who it was from.

"Take care son." My Dad gave me a soft, sad smile. "I'll be back tomorrow." He squeezed my hand and left.

I lied down on my bed and opened the envelope. Inside, I found Rose's neat writing on a sheet of white paper.

"Emmett, my love,

How are you feeling today, my darling? I haven't gotten any chance to visit you this week, I'm so sorry for that. Work has been horribly busy these past few days. There were lots of wounded men, women, children… I'm counting the days until there will be peace again. Until we will be free. Until you will be free.

I love you Emmett. I'll come for you as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

Forever yours,

Rose."

I squeezed my eyes shut and exhaled before I read the letter again, and again.

Suddenly my door opened with a loud bang. I looked up from the letter and saw Royce König standing in the door way. He marched over to me and snatched the piece of paper out of my hands. I sat up with clenched fists, trying to hold my tongue. I knew he wanted a reaction, so I gave him none.

His eyes flew over the lines, a smirk growing on his face.

"Rose… Rosalie Hale? Isn't she that blonde that comes in here every week?"

I didn't answer, but he read it of my face.

"She's a real beauty." Royce smirked down on me. "Maybe I should go talk to her sometime. She's coming down here this week?"

Fucker.

"Nevermind. Get up." He kicked against my shin, and then grabbed me by my shoulder and hauled me up.

"You've got a long journey ahead."

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