The Park (Evenstad Media Presents Book 1) Read online

  If he gets in the way, I'll see if I can't get Blake to help me out. Since he's so much better at all of this than I am. I've never hurt anyone, after all. Just ask me. I'll tell you.

  We're into the fifth month of this, you know. I've had relationships that didn't last half this long. I bet you feel pretty special, don't you? If not, you should. Sure, you locked me into a fucking box and surrounded me with armed guards, but I stuck around. Good use of your skills, though. If I didn't think you were the lowest scum on Earth, I might consider taking this to the next level.

  But for now, go fuck yourself.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 011

  DATE: 5/2/2074

  Maybe it is me. It's got to be at this point. It's not just the big black guy I'm seeing. And it's not just outside, either. They're in here with me. And they're not friendly. Not that I thought the big guy was, but these are worse. They aren't here now, thank God, but I know they aren't far. In the kitchen. Under the bed. I sound like some little kid, waiting for Mommy to check the closet.

  That's why I know something's not right. And that's why I told Julia. She just smiled and held me, but I know what she's thinking. No, fuck it, that's bullshit. I know what I would be thinking. What I was thinking when I saw Julia breaking. It wasn't anything bad. I just wanted to make it better. I know that's all she wants.

  But she can't make it better. I know that. And I think she does, too. It sucks. I'm just scared, all the time. Even more than I was before. Hell, I'm halfway looking forward to seeing that big black guy skulking around outside. At least he's the nicest one of them I see. And he doesn't have horns, or extra arms, or red eyes. He's a person, real or not. At least I know what I can probably expect from him.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 03BLAKE

  ENTRY 007

  DATE: 5/2/2074

  I've been starting to get some weird feelings about this whole thing with Rita. She keeps wandering off by herself. At first, yeah, I was just worried because I know she doesn't want to kill anyone if she can help it. Who does? But she's acting all secretive and stuff when she comes back. She won't tell me anything about it, and I just can't help but think that it's not nothing, like she keeps saying. She's hiding something from me. I don't want to believe that. I really, really don't want to believe that. But how can I not think it's true? I mean, eventually one of us is going to end up dead, and I'm pretty sure that her plan is for that one to not be her. Which means that somewhere in this whole plan, she knows she might have to kill me. So I should get on board with that, too. If I'm walking out of here, it's pretty possible that I'm going to have to get rid of Rita.

  God damn it, this all sucks ass. Big, hairy ass. She's been nothing but nice to me. She's kept me sane and kept my head straight through this whole game, right from the first second I met her. I don't know, I probably would have broken down and either killed myself or done something stupid to get myself killed if she hadn't talked me down after I took care of that first guy. But I just can't shake this stupid suspicion that something's not right. Like, at all. Something really deep down in this whole thing is rotten, but I don't know what. Maybe it's not even Rita, and I'm just putting everything on her because she's an easy target. Fuck, maybe being stuck in here for month after month without any light is starting to get to me. That's a thing that happens, right? We need sunlight to stay happy. That's what Mom always told me. I hated hearing it. It meant I had to go outside. But maybe she was right.

  God, I miss her. And Dad. If I get out of here with the money, I'm going to pay everything off for them. The house, the cars, everything. And we can go on a big vacation with everything that's left over. They deserve that. Of course, if I win, I might not.

  ENTRY END

  US AIRCRAFT SIGHTED OVER EGYPT

  5/6/2074 at 11:19 a.m. EST

  Early this morning, three US military drones were supposedly spotted on a flight path over Giza, Egypt. While the actual designation of the aircraft is not confirmed, several members of the Egyptian military believe that the airplanes were on an intelligence gathering mission. The US military has denied comment on the incident.

  According to civilians who witnessed the event, the aircraft were visible for several hours. Information will be released as it is made available to us here at The Cruise.

  JOURNAL 07JULIA

  ENTRY 008

  DATE: 5/7/2074

  I screwed up. I never should have taken Christina outside like that. It didn't help her at all. Now she's seeing demons around here. I just… I think I might take away her medallion. She's been stable enough up until now, but I can't count on that forever. She could hurt me, or hurt herself. Get us found. Too many horrible things could happen if she had a break of some kind. I feel so guilty even considering it, but it's true. I don't want to get hurt, but I really don't want her to get hurt. I don't know quite what to do about it. I'm just going to have to wait before I make any big decisions like that. I trust her, but I know it's not quite her in there right now.

  I hate this whole place for what it's done to her. I've only had Christina in my life for a short time, and damned if I'm going to throw her back out there without a knock-down drag-out.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 05CRAIG

  ENTRY 012

  DATE: 5/7/2074

  I can't believe I'm actually writing this. I'm feeling… good. I mean, not great or anything. I'm still stuck here. But ever since Susan went away, I'm calmer. I guess I maybe just needed sleep? I don't know. I'm not a doctor or anything like that, so I can't say for sure. I just know what I'm feeling. And, compared to how things have been, it's pretty awesome. I even found another CESU. It's not all that useful. At least not directly. It makes it dark. Completely black dark, not the mostly dark it is outside the trailers.

  Which would be a lot more useful if I thought someone else was going to break into the house. I suppose it's possible, but I've done my best to fix my defenses. I've hidden them better, and I don't leave anymore. Not that I really need to. I've got enough CESUs to stay pretty safe as it is. I might find a use for the darkness CESU yet. I don't know.

  It's funny. Ever since I woke up here, I thought I was, like, cursed. Doomed. Screwed. Fucked over. Whatever you want to say. But I'm finding that lately, I haven't felt nearly as hopeless. It all goes back to Susan's death. She was, like, my personal boogeyman from the first second I ran away. Now everything's better. Still sucks, but it's better. I mean, I actually think I might be able to win this thing. Twenty million dollars. Probably less than ten million after taxes, but I can live on that. I can thrive on that. Start up my own business. Or maybe take some time off and work on my own computer. Give Evenstad a run for their money. Assuming that they don't decide I should suddenly lose after they read that. But I don't think they will. I broke into their CESUs and saw all the internal workings. I mucked around with the wiring. I hardly think developing a minor competitor would be worse than that to them. But knowing that I might be able to use the money they give me to rob them of even a fraction of their sales… it's a good feeling. And it wouldn't hurt my pocketbook at all.

  God, I'm so glad no one else reads this. I'd sound like such an egomaniac to an outsider looking in.

  ENTRY END

  TO: Frederick Evenstad

  FROM: Niels Evenstad

  SUBJECT: CESU Order

  SENT 5/9/2074 AT 7:39 a.m. EST

  Frederick,

  I want to tell you how absolutely thrilled I am to hear about the new order. 10,000 more CESUs, and the Secretary of Defense wants a rush on the order. It's fantastic news. I told you this would all work out. I hope you'll trust me more from now on. This is going to make us a lot of money, Brother. Retirement money. Retirement in Hawaii money. Private island money.

  I'm sorry for gushing. It's just that this is what I've been aiming for from the beginning. Once Marta's part in this endeavor is comp
lete, we'll never have to worry again. Or our grandchildren. Or any member of the Evenstad family, even if the business does go under for some insane reason.

  Carry on, Brother,

  Niels Evenstad

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Media

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 009

  DATE: 5/12/2074

  Well, I finally reached a decision on that old man. I guess we both knew that it was already decided, didn't we, Evenstad? I mean, he would have to die. Only one of us can live, and I intend for it to be me. I don't want him to die. Let's get that clear now. As much as you've put me through with this shit, I don't want to kill anyone. I don't want anyone to die. Not even you bastards, if you can buy that.

  I don't think he'll die today. If I can manage it, I don't want to have anything to do with it. Not even through Blake. I don't know if he would do it for me right now, anyway. His faith is shaken, which doesn't work for me. I need to have him firmly obeying me, just in case. I'll have to work on that.

  Talk to you later, jackass.

  ENTRY END

  TO: William Mather

  FROM: Suzanne Young

  SUBJECT: The Park Contestant Selection

  SENT 11/28/2073 AT 10:06 a.m. EST

  Mr. Mather.

  Mr. Evenstad is most pleased with your selection of contestants for The Park. He and I both realize that this is very short notice, and he sends his deepest apologies to you, but he is concerned with the lack of diversity within your choices.

  There is an even split between genders and socioeconomic standing and, although we would prefer to have more than just Craig to represent gay men, so as to have more of a chance for a relationship to form, the rating increase would be minimal enough that it isn't an issue worth your time to fix.

  However, Mr. Evenstad would like to make a replacement. The young, mid-low class female you have chosen fits the necessary criteria. However, Mr. Evenstad is concerned that she is somewhat plain. He would like you to try once more. While you are more than qualified to complete this job on your own, Mr. Evenstad had a small suggestion as to what he think may help. He would like, if it is possible and you believe her to be a good fit, a female in line with the 'alternative' stereotype. A bartender or roller derby girl. Something in that vein.

  Please send the updated list to me as soon as possible. I realize this is very short notice, but Mr. Evenstad has complete confidence in you.

  Regards,

  Suzanne Young

  Administrative Assistant to Niels Evenstad

  JOURNAL 07JULIA

  ENTRY 009

  DATE: 5/12/2074

  I had to take Christina's medallion. She's too hazardous with it, now. All the sudden, it's been going off 'accidentally.' I know she doesn't want me to know what's going on, but I do. She's seeing things, and now she's trying to attack them. It just doesn't work. We're lucky that no one's come looking for us. Christina's medallion isn't the most subtle thing in the world.

  It's just weird, though. She was perfectly capable of controlling herself, even if she was seeing things. I don't know if something changed in the visions, or if she just snapped, or if, somehow, it really was an accident. Three times. I don't think it's an accident. But I just can't explain it. Not at all.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 10MANFRED

  ENTRY 010

  DATE: 5/13/2074

  I am still throwing up. There was blood today. I may not have a medical degree, but I know enough to realize that vomiting blood is not a good sign. I will not make it much longer at this rate. I have written as much in this journal before, however now I feel that the end is imminent, barring a miracle.

  But I still believe that Natalie and the children shall be cared for after my death. That, at least, is a comfort I can take in these final days of mine. And if Evenstad doesn't care for them, I can only hope that ghosts are real, so I might haunt them to their death.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 012

  DATE: 5/15/2074

  He's been too close for too many days. I've taken my medallion back. I have to end this.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 04JUSTICE

  ENTRY 011

  DATE: 5/15/2074

  It's time. It's never going to get any fucking easier, so I just have to do it. I'm going to make that business suit cunt hurt. I've got fire. I've got the poison gas. It's ending. Now. Let's just hope I don't fucking pussy out again.

  ENTRY END

  06

  US Meeting with Allied Military

  5/13/2074 at 11:16 a.m. EST

  Today, US Secretary of Defense Lena Browne and President Victor K. Larson announced a meeting later this week with the leaders of France, China, the United Kingdom, India, and Israel, all former allies of the United States during World War III. Watch us here at The Cruise for updates as this story unfolds.

  UPDATE: 5/18/2074 at 3:01 p.m. EST: With the meeting over, the foreign dignitaries have returned to their homelands. President Larson and Secretary Browne have both declined comment.

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 013

  DATE: 5/15/2074

  I should have let Julia keep my medallion. Maybe this would all be different. Maybe. Or maybe not. Maybe I just should have attacked faster.

  That bastard wasn't after me. He went straight for Julia. What Julia did to him, I don't know. Maybe he knew her beforehand and had some damn grudge. I can't imagine what kind of grudge would justify setting someone on fire, but I'm learning more and more about just how fucked up people can be every day I'm in here.

  Julia's alive, which should be a good thing. But it's not. She's burned half to death. More than half to death. Exposed bone kind of burned. Her breathing is weak. She keeps passing out, and it takes her longer and longer to wake up every time.

  So I'm going to end it. I have to. For her. She made life here just a little more bearable for me. So I'm going to make death more bearable for her.

  I don't know if anyone's going to see this, but I hope someone will. I hope someone finds just this one entry, and they can know how much I loved her. I loved her so much it hurts. I loved her so much I pulled the trigger.

  ENTRY END

  Ch. 696: THE PARK: 9 p.m. EST: As the drama continues, we finally see Justice's plan come to fruition. And it's darker than any ever thought. A darker fate even than death.

  05

  JOURNAL 10MANFRED

  ENTRY 011

  DATE: 5/18/2074

  I do not quite understand how I should feel. I have stopped vomiting, but only by not eating. I don't bother anymore. It holds little purpose to me, anyway. I do not intend to survive long. And yet, with this new conviction, fate has seen fit to assuage my difficulties. I have strength again. Perhaps not the same strength I had when I arrived here, but certainly more than I have in the past weeks and months. I would otherwise think that this would be wonderful news. At my age, an increase in energy, or an increase in anything, to be totally frank about the whole thing, is normally cause for celebration. As I get older, things always seem to be going down. Energy, libido, finances. They go down more and more every year. Everything except cholesterol, it seems. That and the number of pills you end up taking every morning.

  It never occurred to me before, but perhaps the lack of pills are to blame, in the end. I always considered myself lucky. I never had to take half as many medications as others my age. Even a quarter. I even prided myself, being able to skip them without ill effects. But that was one day or two days. It's been almost half a year. I can't see where that would be good. And I can't see where I missed it, either. I can only imagine it was the shock of the situation. I want to believe that. I do not want it to be the fault of my subconscious. I do not want to believe that I have so little control over my own mind that I would choose death like that, even while struggling to survive with David, and with Craig.

&nbs
p; Yet I fear I already believe it. How could I not?

  ENTRY END

  TO: Frederick Evenstad , Niels Evenstad

  FROM: Marta Evenstad

  SUBJECT: Farming Initiative

  SENT 4/18/2074 AT 4:18 p.m. EST

  Brothers,

  We have found several very fertile areas, and they should be very simple to access. Most are in underprivileged countries, which will of course make our resources stretch further than they would in less impoverished areas. Our largest obstacle will be Egypt, but I'm confident that what we have will be more than sufficient.

  I anxiously await your reaction, Brothers,

  Marta Evenstad

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Farms

  —

  TO: Marta Evenstad

  FROM: Frederick Evenstad

  SUBJECT: RE: Farming Initiative

  SENT 4/18/2074 AT 4:22 p.m. EST

  Continue on. You are in charge of this part of things. I trust you implicitly in this matter.