The Park (Evenstad Media Presents Book 1) Read online

  Frederick Evenstad

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Technologies

  —

  TO: Marta Evenstad

  FROM: Niels Evenstad

  SUBJECT: RE: Farming Initiative

  SENT 4/18/2074 AT 4:31 p.m. EST

  Sister,

  I knew from the beginning that you would be the right choice for this. I am so very proud of you. Words can hardly suffice. Carry on. We will support you in any way necessary. I will see to that personally. You know I would never let you down, dear sister. And I know that you will do what you think is best to see this plan to fruition.

  Niels Evenstad

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Media

  JOURNAL 05CRAIG

  ENTRY 013

  DATE: 5/19/2074

  It's time, I think. I'm armed, I've killed. And I'm okay with that. As okay as I can be with that. The house will be safe. I doubt Susan made it through the first time, so even if someone chases me, they'll either get caught in a trap when I get here or have to stop and figure it out. Unless they just kill me from afar. But I don't see that happening. I'll take the darkness medallion out with me. That should be ample camouflage.

  Yeah. I'm going out. It's against everything I've worked for so far in this game, but I've also changed my focus. I don't just have my own survival in mind, now. It's that money. I know I can get my hands on it. I just have to be the last one.

  I'm really ensuring my own safety, anyway, taking the others out of the picture. I just hope Manfred's dead. I don't think I could do anything so vile to him. Of course, I could just wait him out, if we're the last two. I don't like to think about it, but he's not a young man, and he wasn't well last time I saw him. Chances are good he's dead or dying. And if he's already dead, the only way I can keep my promise is to get the money and give some of it to his family, or make them shareholders in the computer business, or name them as my beneficiaries when I die. Which means I have to make it out of here. Which means I have to be the last one. Or Manfred does. I could die and let him leave. Which is another reason I kind of hope I don't have to take part in him dying. I don't think that the best thing for him could be a hole in the head. I think leaving might be better, if he's alive. I know I'd prefer it. Just thinking about it, my promise is at odds with the idea of that money.

  But I can't focus on that now, anyway. He's probably dead already. Poor guy. So I have to get the money. I'm taking a few of the CESUs with me, but not my work laser, or that damn heat gun thing. That still doesn't need to be in anyone's hands. Not even mine. I can just hope that it rots away in here after this is all over.

  And so I go.

  ENTRY END

  THE PARK: REALITY SHOW OR WAR MACHINE?

  5/16/2074 at 6:59 a.m. EST

  If you've had access to TV, radio, internet, or snail mail in the past five and a half months, you've most likely heard of The Park, the newest brain baby from Evenstad Media. A dozen 'random' strangers thrown into a locked down trailer park and ordered to be the last one standing. But not unarmed. They're given CESUs, little medallions that, for lack of any better example, work like magic. This one makes fire, this one makes lightning, this one shoots a laser.

  But now, we're starting to see CESUs outside of the realm of entertainment. First, the US military bought an unspecified number of CESUs directly from Evenstad Technologies. Now, other countries, former US allies, have announced the same things. Suddenly, the world is flooded with tens of thousands of these devil machines, all put in the hands of trained soldiers.

  And then came Evenstad Farms. Out of the blue, from a conglomerate that has never before shown any interest in agriculture, we see this new project. They want to not only help poor farmers in other countries, they want to increase food production to try and keep the world fed. A wonderful, noble cause, undertaken by what is arguably the largest corporate giant in existence today.

  Personally, I just don't buy it. It's all too convenient. All the sudden, as soon as the announcement was made about Evenstad Farms, we start seeing US military aircraft around the Nile Delta. The most fertile land since the Garden of Eden.

  The Park was just a commercial. They wanted important figures to see exactly what the CESUs could do. They wanted to work a deal. Evenstad Enterprises, as a whole, has enough influence to get its way, and they've done so in grand fashion, not even trying to hide what's happening. I'd put down good money that we're going to see one of the first Evenstad Farms popping up somewhere in Egypt, and not too long from now. And when that day comes, I can only hope that the farm gets burned to the ground. People have to send a message to companies like Evenstad. We can't be caught up by them, become their puppets. If we do, we're no better than lab mice. They'll keep us around until we're no longer necessary. You can call me crazy all you like, but human beings are already a valuable commodity in certain circles. If Evenstad is willing to start a war to make some profits, or whatever else they might be after in this new scheme, what's going to make them stop there if no one stands against them? What's to stop them making Evenstad Escorts, or Evenstad Medical Test Subjects, or Evenstad Soylent Green? Not a damn thing but time and opportunity.

  Be wary, friends,

  Lars Krane

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 014

  DATE: 5/19/2074

  Evenstad is going to pay dearly for what they've done to everyone here. For what happened to Julia. For what happened to me. I'm going to get that money, and I'm going to sink every last penny of it they give me into ruining them, once I get out. For years, I worried about them. They're the main competition for us in the TV broadcasting business. It's probably why I was 'randomly' selected in the first place. Good fucking outcome for them either way. Even if I survive, how will we ever compete with the ratings and new subscriptions they've gotten out of this show?

  But now, in the middle of their stupid game, I'm not all that concerned. I can win this, and then I can end them. Michaels-Clark Broadcasting might not be as big as Evenstad Media, but we certainly never did anything like this show. We're not murderers. And I'll play the angle. I'll play it as hard as I have to to get them gone.

  But I have to win first. Which means I have to start playing the way Evenstad wants me to. I'll feed into their ratings for now. I'll kill. I'll hunt. And I'll live on pure fucking rage until they let me out of this hell. But once I'm out, that rage is all theirs. Hope they're ready for it.

  Actually, I don't.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 010

  DATE: 5/19/2074

  Well, I've done it again. I've played out my best game, and it's going to raise your ratings. If I'm going to keep Blake here with me, I'm going to have to show him the old man. Not just show him. We're going to have to make a trip down there and see him. Face to face. I have to make a pretty damn big move if I'm going to keep his loyalty. Plus it'll give me a good chance to see exactly what kind of old man you decided could actually compete in this ridiculous game of yours.

  Sad thing is, I almost wish this whole damn thing wouldn't work. Almost. I mean, if this is enough to convince him that he can totally trust me again, he's got to be a dumb fuck. You know, it really works for me, but it feels a bit like cheating. I found an easy to manipulate boy who knows how to work this stupid game way better than I do. You made it way too easy. So thanks for that, I guess. But next time around, since I might accidentally skim across this show flipping channels, could you really try to make the cute one smarter? I know I asked before, but I'm just giving you a nice little reminder. Cute and smart. You have nearly unlimited resources, right? You can find cute and smart. So do it for me, kay?

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 03BLAKE

  ENTRY 008

  DATE: 5/20/2074

  I shouldn't have doubted Rita. She's never led me wrong yet. I feel like I need to make it up for her, giving in to my own fear and paranoia like
that. I thought she was up to something, running off by herself and not willing to tell me what's going on. But she was just scoping things out. She was keeping me safe, this time. She said she felt bad, with me basically being her bodyguard, and didn't want me to feel obligated to tag along.

  I told her she was being ridiculous about the whole thing. She's kept me sane and kept me going. A little bit of risk on my part is hardly enough to pay her back. She understood once everything was out in the open, of course.

  I don't necessarily like the idea of going down there and talking to this guy. She says that we could take him for sure. He's old. Like really old, according to her. But she says that going down there and acting nice and peaceful to him is the best way to get in and really gather information. It makes sense. But I don't have to like it. Old people can be dangerous long enough to kill one or two people. Which is all we've got between us. I'll definitely be on guard. I'd like to see him do a lot once he's taken a shotgun to the chest.

  ENTRY END

  US TROOPS DEPLOY FOR AID IN EGYPT

  5/20/2074 at 8:17 a.m. EST

  This morning, the first US troops have landed in Cairo, Egypt. As we have previously reported, the Egyptian government made a request for aid. No more details were given at that time, but more information has been made available since our first report. A terrorist group has overthrown the Egyptian Government and taken control. We here at The Cruise feel it is safe to assume that the troops have been deployed to handle this issue. We will keep you updated as we receive more information.

  Obituary of Lars Michael Krane (2016-2074)

  Lars Krane (2016-2074) was found dead in his home in Milford, Pennsylvania early this morning. A valued member of the community, and a devoted husband and father, he is succeeded by his daughters, Cynthia Krane and Margaret Blake, and his son, Michael Krane. He was an avid reader and writer, and even contributed to the well-known news and opinion blog, RealTalk. Services will be held at Stroyan Funeral Home on Friday, May 25th, beginning at 10 a.m.

  JOURNAL 05CRAIG

  ENTRY 014

  DATE: 5/22/2074

  It took a couple of days, but I found someone. Or at least where someone was and left the lights on. Either way, it's a sign of another person out here. I can't say that I'm getting closer, because that's a ridiculous assumption. But it's heartening. It's a reminder, if nothing else, that I'm not totally alone. I was starting to forget a little bit, wandering around. I even considered the possibility that everyone else was dead. There's still a chance that they are, and I'm just waiting for someone to retrieve me. Or they really don't intend to let me out of here after all. A tomb for the winner so I can't go out and hack their CESUs in the real world, or do anything to ruin their good name.

  I'm going to go up to that house. Part of me hopes it's empty. Part of me hopes that I find one final person and I can kill them when their back is turned. Honestly, the only thing I really don't want is to find Manfred in there. God willing, I won't.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 10MANFRED

  ENTRY 012

  DATE: 5/23/2074

  Once more, fate plays to my favor. I do not fully understand, still, but I know better than to raise pointless questions of such a nature. Craig has come back. I do not know how he found me. I do not know what happened to him since last I saw him. I have apologized, of course. He deserved a much better goodbye than I was able to offer him. I always knew that, but I stand by my decision. A quick and non-distracting break.

  He is welcome to stay, of course, but I can no longer hide my illness. It is simply too much energy to put forth. I haven't vomited lately, but I am not such a fool as to think that I will not throw up again while he is here. I have already found myself fighting back the urge to puke twice since he arrived. It can't have been more than twelve hours.

  Craig can tell something is wrong. I know that just from watching and listening to him. He has been so cautious around me since he arrived. He always offers to help me, fetch water and such. He acts like I am so fragile, as though I would break apart at the slightest gust or breeze from his arm passing by too fast. It's sweet, but I hate that I'm doing this to him.

  Perhaps I look worse than I feel. I must. There's no other explanation that I can come to. And if that is truly the case, then my chances of seeing my Natalie again are lower, perhaps, than I thought before.

  I shall miss her.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 015

  DATE: 5/23/2074

  Well, I guess that someone here thinks they're something big. Something real big. I found this house with all sorts of different booby traps and shit. Of course, there was no one in there, but whoever put this together had good damn reason to protect it, though. Four medallions, all in the same building. Hell, I almost would have thought those Evenstad jackasses put the whole thing together, if I hadn't found two of the medallions broken apart and wired up to something outside. I didn't touch either of those. I have no proof that they're safe to work with. For all I know, screwing around with them got whoever it was killed and that's why the place is empty. But the other two are totally untouched, as far as I can tell. When I tried them out, they both worked without knocking me dead. Or I'm a fucking ghost, now.

  One of the medallions was a laser kind of thing. Really weak, but it could probably slow someone down. I'm not above injuring someone before they die, as long as things get done. But the other one… it's more than a little useful to me, I think. A big destructive ball of light. I don't need to know more than that. I just know that it does some good damage, it's not subtle, and I can't think of a God damn thing that's going to stop it. Except probably the walls around this place. I can't imagine they'd give us something that could help us bust out. It won't stop me from trying, given the chance. But it's not going to get in my way. I'll find whoever's left alive, and I'll fix that little affliction.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 03BLAKE

  ENTRY 009

  DATE: 5/24/2074

  Well, we're leaving today. Rita wanted to do one more check over things, and I'm taking the chance to update this. After all, I don't know if I'll get the chance to update again after we go down there to see the old man. Since I could die… I guess I don't need to talk about anything else in here. It's mine, and I already know what's going on. And if anyone does end up reading this, I trust that they're smart enough to figure out what I'm talking about. I just really don't want to write it. It's like that makes it actually be real. I know it's completely ridiculous, but I just don't want to fucking write it down.

  Just, you know, to anyone out there who knows me and might care, or even if you don't know me and you're just reading this, goodbye. I'm hoping that it's not really goodbye. I want to have the chance to say it in person. I guess for now, I just have to write it again.

  Goodbye.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 10MANFRED

  ENTRY 013

  DATE: 5/24/2074

  I never, not even once, thought I would find myself in this situation. The young man and woman who killed David came to my door today. What is perhaps even stranger is that I allowed them in. But what more could I do? I would much rather have them in sight than waiting around for me outside, I suppose. It is the only rationale I can come up with to explain what I have done.

  I have not told Craig the history between us, but he is a smart lad. I'm certain that he's at least suspicious of things. As for the two of them, I don't believe they realize who I am. Either that, or they are acting far better than I could ever manage.

  I must be brief. They believe I am fetching water, and I can only make that last so long before their suspicions will be a sure thing.

  ENTRY END

  TO: Frederick Evenstad

  FROM: Kathy Horstmann

  SUBJECT: The Park

  SENT 5/21/2074 AT 12:15 p.m. EST

  I realize that I have no
say in anything, but I can't keep my conscience clear and not bring this up again. Things are escalating too far. It was bad enough when you had us build CESUs for your brother's ridiculous game show, but now they're out in the world. It's too much. If you have anything left in you that's moderately human, you'll find a way to put an end to all this.

  I know this was all so you could get your war and get your farmland and get your money. I didn't go to Yale on a sports scholarship, after all. I can put these things together, Frederick. You plan to conveniently take over the land, somehow. Don't bother denying any of it, either. You can't convince me I'm wrong. Not this time. But I'm appealing to your better parts. I'm begging you: don't do this. Don't let this war happen. You don't need it, I don't need it, your family doesn't need it, and the world certainly doesn't need it.

  —

  TO: Kathy Horstmann

  FROM: Frederick Evenstad

  SUBJECT: RE: The Park

  SENT 5/21/2074 AT 4:56 p.m. EST

  Ms. Horstmann,

  I realize that your life underwent something of an upheaval when we had to part ways. Such financial distress can be hard on anyone. I realize that it might be difficult to believe, given my current situation, but I am not a stranger to monetary troubles. In my younger days, I went through quite a number of jobs, myself.