The Park (Evenstad Media Presents Book 1) Read online

  Evenstad Media Presents

  THE PARK

  VOSS FOSTER

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons is entirely coincidental or beyond the intent of the author.

  The Park © Voss Foster 2015

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the author.

  Requests to use the material will be considered and may be directed to:

  Voss Foster at: [email protected]

  For my mother, who believed in me when I couldn't.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  12

  11

  10

  09

  08

  07

  06

  05

  04

  03

  02

  01

  AUTHOR'S NOTE

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  12

  Sir or Madam,

  You are receiving this letter because you have been selected by Evenstad Media to fill one of twelve exclusive roles in season one of our new reality show, The Park. You have already been collected, your information processed, and delivered to the set. Please do not attempt to leave the arena without explicit permission.

  Your goal during your engagement at The Park is simple: survive. There is no time limit. Furnishings have been provided, as well as an ample food supply. However, the food supply will not be replenished. Use it wisely.

  Around your neck, you will find a golden medallion. This medallion is a Controlled Energy Storage Unit from Evenstad Technologies. They were created specifically for your usage during your stay at The Park. Depress the button on the side to release the stored energy. When the energy is depleted, the light on the back of the medallion will turn red. When the energy has replenished, the light on the back of the medallion will turn green. The energy from the medallion cannot be released until the light has turned green. There are other Energy Storage Units hidden around the arena to aid you in your survival.

  The arena will be monitored fully at all times in order to capture the true essence of game play for the viewers. Further details of recording and broadcast were explained in your release clauses.

  No criminal charges shall be filed against any action(s) performed during the duration of your participation in The Park. All city, county, state, federal, and/or international laws are to be considered suspended during your time here.

  The arena will remain closed until only a single player remains alive. The winner will receive twenty million (20,000,000) dollars (USD). The families of the losers will be provided for.

  In your pocket, you will find a tablet and detachable keyboard for you to keep a journal. While this is not required by the rules of The Park, it is recommended. Extended periods of time spent in the arena may cause psychological trauma. Our experts believe that writing a journal may help to keep the mind sharp and stave off the possible ill effects of your stay.

  No other information will be provided, so as to protect the integrity of game play.

  We wish you the best of luck,

  Evenstad Media

  Channel 696: THE PARK: 9 p.m. EST: A daring new game show. Twelve contestants. No laws. Only one rule: survive.

  JOURNAL 04JUSTICE

  ENTRY 001

  DATE: 1/1/2074

  Don't know where the hell I am. I remember going to bed last night. When I woke up, I was laying on the grass in a trailer park with a letter pinned to my chest. Apparently I'm playing some kind of fucking game. I know I sure as hell didn't sign up for any reality show. Date on this tablet says January first. Happy fucking New Year to me, I guess.

  If I thought they had the means, I'd have guessed it was Nina and Dan playing another joke on me. Wouldn't have been the first time they'd dragged me out of bed and left me lying around. But one: this wasn't New York and two: the medallion thing around my neck. I did what the letter said and pressed the button. It made fire. Not like a lighter, more like a bonfire in my hand. Couldn't guess how that works.

  But if that was true, can I take any chances second-guessing anything else in that crazy ass letter? So I found somewhere to stay. I found an empty trailer, got inside, and locked the door. There's food, water, and power. I don't see where surviving's going to be all that hard like this. Makes a handheld bonfire pretty fucking useless, though.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 05CRAIG

  ENTRY 001

  DATE: 1/1/2074

  This is big time stuff. I've been kidnapped, best as I can tell. There was a door open on one of the trailer houses and I went inside. I searched and didn't see anyone, so I'm hoping I'm good. Or as good as I can get when I'm being held prisoner.

  But the thing around my neck is the bigger worry for me. There've been rumors online about CESUs, and most people figured Evenstad would be the one to figure out how it worked, if anyone could. Apparently they have. I pressed the button and it lit up the dark all around me. About two yards, if I were guessing. As bright as if the sun was shining. That's when I went inside. Didn't need any attention drawn to me.

  But if mine could do that, and there are at least eleven more in here with me, being used by God knows who… it's just not something I'm ready to face.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 03BLAKE

  ENTRY 001

  DATE: 1/1/2074

  I'm freaking out. I mean, I know I don't need to tell myself that I'm freaking out, but I just did. That's how bad it is. I woke up in the middle of the street and found a letter stuck to my shirt. Apparently I'm in some arena, playing The Park. Whatever The Park is. I've never heard of it. But I've never actually heard of anyone getting drugged up and taken away, either. Not outside, like, the news and movies and shit. But I figure that's what had to have happened, because I don't remember anything. I was at my dad's boss's stupid New Year's party. I went out back for some air, and then I was here. Well, out there. I guess the whole place is a trailer park. An empty trailer park. I went inside one of the trailers. Haven't tried the necklace thing they gave me yet. I don't know if I want to, though. Not if I don't know what it does. Rule of life: find out what it does before you turn it on.

  ENTRY END

  Dear Valued Evenstad Media Customer,

  Thank you for your interest in our newest program, The Park. If you haven't yet seen it, what's stopping you? Last week's episode will be available until next Monday on http://evenstadmedia.com/watch/thepark.

  If you're a fan of the show, we thank you again. Evenstad Media has always been devoted to providing our customers with the best possible entertainment. That's why we're offering you a free month of The Park: 24/7.

  The Park: 24/7 is your full access pass to uncensored, unrated footage from The Park. See what angle you want with one of over 2,000 cameras. Relive your favorite moments and find new ones, all for the low price of $7.95/month. And if you don't like it after the free trial, or you ever become dissatisfied, you can cancel at any time. No fees, fines, or charges.

  For more information, or to sign up for The Park: 24/7, call our Customer Service Hotline at 1-888-003-8000 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. EST

  And again, from us, thank you,

  Evenstad Media

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 001

  DATE: 1/2/2074

  I know you're reading this, Evenstad. Anyone egomaniacal enough to kidnap a dozen people de
finitely wants to see what they have to say after the fact. Guess what? I don't care. I know better than to put down anything I don't want you to know. But here's what you already know: I'm in a house. I'm fed. I've slept. I'm warm. And I tried out the medallion, too. I don't know how you can make this thing do what it does, but I'm grateful for it. I can do good things with this. Always thought telekinesis would be a bitchin' skill. This is probably about as close as I'll ever get. Hardly any effort on my part to use it, too. But you knew that, didn't you?

  Watch away, boys.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 10MANFRED

  ENTRY 001

  DATE: 1/2/2074

  I am not certain of any of this. It seems as though I am dreaming, yet I know that I'm not so creative as to dream something like this. I am just a simple watchmaker.

  I have not yet explored far. All I have seen are mobile homes. So I cannot say for certain if my Natalie is here with me. But I don't believe she is. I would say that she is still safely back home in London. My leaving for the States was her blessing. Rather I lose her than to have her spirited away here into the unknown.

  If the letter speaks the truth, then this game, whatever it may be, is one of survival. And if this is a game of survival, then I fear that I am ill-suited to play. I have been lucky for my eighty-one years. The medications I take are minimal, compared to others my age. I have avoided some of that fate, thankfully. But I will not, I fear, avoid time. Any day now could be my last, even in the best of situations. And now this.

  My fingers ache with arthritis, but I will keep this journal. I served time in the Third War and there, my journaling kept my sanity until I could return to Natalie. So here, I hope, it should preserve it for me once more.

  My only relief is that, should I die here, and should these people keep to their word, Natalie and the children shall be cared for. There is little more that I could ask for but that.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 12DAVID

  ENTRY 001

  DATE: 1/2/2074

  Yesterday was uneventful. I meant to write a journal entry, but nothing seemed important enough to warrant documentation. This might be the wrong idea. The journals are meant to keep us sane, so maybe I should be keeping up on it, eventful day or not. There isn't much else to do, really. I seem to have calmed down today, which is good. Yesterday was nearly too much for me. What is this place? Why me? What game are we playing? I know it must be some fabrication, but from who?

  I need to stop doing that. All the questions were what caused my problems yesterday. I couldn't stop them. And so I didn't move. I still haven't eaten, and I don't remember the last time I did before coming here. A lot of the days leading up to finding myself here are fuzzy.

  But this morning, I left the house. That's when I found the boy. Maybe in his mid-twenties. He was probably more scared than I was. It was good for me, being able to take care of someone. It got me to thinking. No matter what, we're here, at least for the time being.

  The boy shakes. He's been in one of the bedrooms shouting for the past few hours. I don't know if it's a disorder or drugs, but I don't think he'll make it alone. I can take care of him until we figure this out.

  Tomorrow, after food and more rest, we'll go look around outside to see what we can see. Hopefully, we'll find out the punch line to this joke.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 11SUSAN

  ENTRY 001

  DATE: 1/2/2074

  I'm frightened. Must keep the medallion close and keep it charged as much as possible. The recharge is slow. Twenty million dollars is enough to keep you happy for life. If you survive. More than enough to kill for. The others have figured it out or they will. Either way. That's why I need the medallion. Twenty million is enough for me to kill, too. So is my life. I don't understand anything, and I don't care to find out. None of it matters. The goal of this is survival, which means that some won't survive. And I simply don't want that to be me. That's all I need to understand.

  ENTRY END

  TO: Niels Evenstad

  FROM: Kathy Horstmann

  SUBJECT: RE: Project: The Park

  SENT 3/19/2072 AT 4:26 p.m. EST

  Mr. Evenstad,

  We've completed work on the final CESU. That makes forty in all. I realize that we've had the argument before, but I would be foolish not to voice my concerns a final time. The CESUs are incredibly dangerous, even when activated in controlled testing situations like those in the labs here. Putting them in the hands of civilians is even more dangerous. I urge you to reconsider.

  Kathy Horstmann,

  Lead Lab Technician, Evenstad Technologies

  —

  TO: Kathy Horstmann

  FROM: Niels Evenstad

  SUBJECT: RE: Project: The Park

  SENT 3/19/2072 AT 4:58 p.m. EST

  Ms. Horstmann,

  Your concerns have been duly noted and will be considered at the final board meeting tomorrow. While you cannot be present at the meeting, you are welcome to send any and all information on the CESU project that you feel would be pertinent. Please send them in the standard format before 5 p.m. today. Otherwise, they will not be able to be considered.

  Thank you and your team for all your hard work on this project,

  Niels Evenstad,

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Media

  TO: Kathy Horstmann

  FROM: Veronica Daniels

  SUBJECT: Employee Evaluation

  SENT 3/20/2072 AT 8:12 a.m. EST

  Ms. Horstmann,

  You are receiving this message to inform you of an upcoming meeting with Mr. Evenstad regarding a recent employee evaluation. Please arrive at Mr. Evenstad's office by 10:00 a.m.

  Veronica Daniels,

  Administrative Assistant to Frederick Evenstad

  JOURNAL 12DAVID

  ENTRY 002

  DATE: 1/3/2074

  Nathan left bruises on my arms. I can't blame him though, can I? I mean, I about wet my pants anyway, when I heard it. The alarm was so loud, my ears rang for fifteen minutes afterward. And that voice. It filled the whole sky and rattled my bones. I always thought that was just an expression. Even a teacher can learn, though, right?

  "This is your only warning. Step away from the perimeter."

  And then the alarm again. Three blasts of the siren followed by the echo. For a moment or two, I'd even worried about waking people up. It was still dark in here. It was always dark in here, actually. We had to have been fully enclosed, was all I could figure. I mean, there was some light, enough to see. But not enough to see that well unless you have the trailer lights to see by.

  I'd taken Nathan out with me. I didn't feel like I could trust him alone. But I'm paying for it. And the fully stocked house has no pain meds, either. At least he stopped screaming. A blessing of sorts.

  Someone doesn't want us to leave. And I worry, as clear as they made it, what would happen if we tried. Is it an electric fence? Barbed wire? Worse than that? I sit there, wondering, but what good does it do?

  I have to check on Nathan. He's starting to make noises again. Not screaming. Whimpering. Whimpering is bad, but it's different. I'm hoping it means some sort of change in him. Relaxation, maybe. The poor kid.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 001

  DATE: 1/3/2074

  This is unacceptable. The racket today pushed me over the edge. I even fired off a shot with that medallion thing. Have to use the back door to this place from now on. The front is totally useless.

  Apparently, someone didn't read the letter. Perfect. Idiots. I guess I'd rather compete against them than someone intelligent, though. Do not attempt to leave the arena. How hard is that? Basic, English directions. Maybe they didn't speak English. I don't know. Haven't seen anybody else in the two days I've been here
. In fact, the alarm was the first sign of life I've come across, besides grass.

  I'm hoping that no one else tries to emulate the great escape artist today. Or tomorrow. Never again would be preferable. That alarm is too much.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 01NATHAN

  ENTRY 001

  DATE: 1/3/2074

  It's been three days. I haven't had a hit in three days. But right now, I'm able to think. No scratching, no stomach pains. But they'll come back. They always come back. Always until I get another hit. Always.

  It's going to hurt. I can't go through withdrawals. I tried. Everyone knows I tried. Four times, I tried to get off the flick. Rehab, psychiatrists, doctors, interventions.

  Flick, flick, flick, flick.

  Shit. I'm starting to lose my thoughts again. I just… I need a hit.

  ENTRY END

  TO: Marta Evenstad

  FROM: Niels Evenstad

  SUBJECT: Agriculture

  SENT 12/29/2073 AT 11:53 a.m. EST

  Sister,

  Within the next year, your promotion will be official. We will of course have to wait for the best time to announce everything to the public, but I assure you it won't be long. In the meantime, we've opened up applications to fill the necessary positions for your company. Please review them and make the best decisions you can. More than anything else, the success of this venture will assure our family security. If we can provide food for even slightly lower than the other companies in the game, we'll have the advantage, and we'll have the control. From there, we build up our resources. But we need you to get us the land, Marta.