The Park (Evenstad Media Presents Book 1) Read online

  When I think about it, I still can't believe I doubted her. She was the one who told us about the fire so we could get out in time. Sure, I'm not thrilled we still have Craig here with us, but I'll take it over dead any day.

  Rita's still being awesome. Even more awesome than usual. And she's getting kind of… handsy? I guess there's no other way to put it. I mean, we always sleep next to each other, for safety if nothing else, I suppose. But she's been touching and grabbing and… yeah. I don’t know what it means, exactly, but I'm okay with it. Like really, really okay with it. Sticky sheets kind of okay with it. And she always makes me breakfast. Not Craig, just me.

  When it comes around to time, I'll get Craig out of the way. I hope I don’t have to, but it's all got to be fake, right? No matter what happened with Manfred. He was old. A fluke, that's all. God, I'm rambling. And I'm trying to talk myself out of this.

  But once Craig is out of the picture, we can finally have some real alone time. No worries. Just the two of us.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 018

  DATE: 6/6/2074

  I tracked them down, again. It wasn't that hard. I went to the other house with lights. And it was the same one that I got the medallions from before. Same traps and all that, but now there's light and noise and shadows moving around inside. And I can smell the food. It's not as good as Julia's. None of it is, and none of it probably ever will be.

  I shouldn't focus on that part of this whole thing. I've got them in a trap, and they probably don't think I can get to them. But I did it once and came out in one piece. Chances are high I can do it again. And then they'll burn. But I want to catch a little sleep, first. Just enough that I'm together so I can pick off any stragglers who might survive. I can wait another hour or two.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 013

  DATE: 6/6/2074

  Evenstad, let me ask you something. Among all your mighty, dominating corporations, do you have a dating service or a matchmaker or a hookup site or something? If not, you might want to consider it. It's a million dollar idea, and you don’t have to ruin anyone's lives to pull it off. Maybe if you're extra super nice to me, I'll give you a good testimonial. 'It's been six months since I got the shit fucked out of me. But then, when Evenstad tossed me into an arena and made me fight to the death, I finally found the satisfaction I'd been missing in my womanhood. Thanks, Evenstad.'

  Right. Like I'd ever give you a review that glowing. But I guess some small thanks are in order. Blake was good. Really good. G spot good. Multiple orgasms good. Which also makes me hate you just a little bit more, too. How am I supposed to kill him now? I kept putting off sex with the kid because I knew it would change things. But he was so sweet, and I was just so horny, I couldn't. See, I can give head and handjobs and that good happy shit without any attachment. But not sex. Now, I don't know how to get this done.

  Can you believe it, Evenstad? After all this, you may have actually beaten me. I guess we'll see when everything's laid out in the end.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 019

  DATE: 6/6/2074

  I've been watching since I woke up. I don’t think I was out very long. It's the same date at the top of the journal, anyway. They all finally stopped moving over at the house. See, last time they were awake, so they could run. I don't want to make that mistake again. No fire, either. I'll just get in and get personal with them. Nice and quiet. Julia's will work. It's nice and simple. Quiet.

  ENTRY END

  POLL: THE FINAL FOUR

  1: Christina (36%)

  2: Rita (24%)

  3: Blake (22%)

  4: Craig (18%)

  (Information Collected by The Cruise)

  03

  JOURNAL 03BLAKE

  ENTRY 012

  DATE: 6/6/2074

  Oh my God! I can't believe Rita could do something like that. It's just not like her. Or I guess it is. It's not like how I thought she was this whole damn time. Someone came in when we were asleep and tripped over something. Thank God she did, too. Otherwise, it would have been game over. But she tripped and everyone woke up. Rita just hauled off and used that weird invisible fist medallion thing I gave her and crushed the lady's head. I… I don't even want to remember it, and I sure as hell ain't recording it here. It was just so much blood and so much everything and her face was just… I'm describing it.

  I just ran the fuck away. I can't stay with someone like that. How the hell am I supposed to think that she won't haul off and do the exact same thing to me? That lady was a stranger. I'm sure I've annoyed her more than enough times already. I mean, I could probably kill her if she tried to turn on me, but I also couldn't. I can't hurt her. I know that already. I wouldn't be able to bring myself to do it. Not after everything she's done for me. So I just ran. I don't think I can hide from her forever, and maybe by the time I have to see her again, I won't be so attached. I've got to try, because I know she won't have any troubles killing me, now.

  I just want to go home. More than ever, that's what I want. I want to be out of this stupid game and back with Mom and Dad and everyone else back home. I just want to wake up and find out that this never happened and then go get a shrink, because I know this shit ain't your average nightmare. Which is pretty much how I know it's not a nightmare at all.

  And I know for sure that she lied to me, now. I've decided. This death? It's all fucking real.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 014

  DATE: 6/6/2074

  The little peckerhead up and ran off on me. Did you know he'd be so fucking flighty, Evenstad? Did you? I bet you did, you bastards. Probably had a good laugh at my expense, too. After everything, and after I've been such a snarky little cuntbag to you, I get what I deserve.

  Guess what? That just makes it all so much easier. I don't need him, I don't want him. And you know I'm just spouting meaningless shit right now. If not, you know now. It fucking hurt, let me tell you. But I'm working on that anger. That anger's going to fuck you up when it comes time. All I have to do is get pissed enough at him. Just pissed enough to make it easier.

  I saved his ass, and how does he repay me? Abandonment. Fucking pussy.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 05CRAIG

  ENTRY 018

  DATE: 6/7/2074

  I'm stuck here with Rita. She said if I run, she'll kill me. Which isn't much better than the alternative, really. I don’t run and she still kills me. Just a little bit later. Either way, I'm dead. But if I can stay, maybe I can have that much more of a chance to figure something out. Anything. If there is anything to figure out. I don't even know at this point. I just know that running is 100% death. Maybe staying is only 98.5.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 015

  DATE: 6/10/2074

  Evenstad, tell me something, because I've got a theory. How close are we to the end of this whole thing? It's been almost half a year, now. I just don't think we can be that far from finishing at this point. And I think that means I have to do something I don’t want to do.

  Craig's a nice enough guy. But, for the most part, you seem to pick nice enough guys. The only one who ever really did anything dickish was Blake. Yeah, I'm still working on hating him. But don't give up on me yet. I'll get there.

  I don't want Craig to pay for things he didn't do. Not any more than he probably already has. But if I kill him, I'm one step closer to getting out of your sick little trap, and back to a normal life.

  I know you won't tell the audience, but I'll still put it, just in case I'm wrong: I don't want to kill him. You assholes are making me.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 05CRAIG

  ENTRY 019

  DATE: 6/10/2074

  This is it. I won't leave. I won't help Manfred's family or start a business or any of that. Rita's going to kill me. She told me as
much, and this is my chance to say goodbye. She was crying, which I guess is some consolation. Not much, though. Even if she feels remorse, I don’t have any reason to believe that it's going to stop her. But she's giving me the chance to say goodbye. I don't want to waste a lot of time, especially since it's likely that no one will ever see this.

  I'll miss everyone. Grandma, I'm sorry about the vase. Jimmy, I'm sorry I blamed you for the vase. Mom, I love you. You too, Dad, even though we had our falling out. And to whoever might have ended up loving me and living with me and growing old with me: I never met you, but I'm sorry that the chance was robbed from you.

  G2G. The last time I'll ever get to type that.

  ENTRY END

  02

  TUNE INTO THE PARK

  We only have two competitors left.

  Rita Needles, age 27, a bartender from Portland, OR, and Blake Ross, the 19 year old gamer from Broadview Heights, OH. We're sure that you, just like millions of others, have been watching these two young lovers' relationship unfold across the playfield of The Park. Now, with Craig's death, only the two of them remain. Like Romeo and Juliet, these two youths are destined for tragedy. But how will it end, and who will end it?

  The only way to find out is to watch The Park, every Monday at 9 p.m. EST. Only on Evenstad TV, Channel 696.

  JOURNAL 03BLAKE

  ENTRY 013

  DATE: 6/12/2074

  It's official. I'm a dumbfuck. Here I have this whole trailer park. It's probably, what, a square mile or more? I don’t know, just guessing And it's not often you find that much room to screw around in, anymore. But I've got a square mile, and here I am, sticking close enough that I can see Rita's house. Craig's house. The house. Rita. Whatever it is, I'm here, just a couple trailers down. I'm keeping her in sight, right? Right. Totally. If I don't know where she is, then she could be anywhere. And that doesn't work for me. Not now. Not now that I know she's actually capable of killing.

  I really don't know how this is going to work. Somehow, I never thought out to the end of all this. I mostly avoided thinking about it, either Rita or I dying. Or both of us, even.

  I don't have a damn clue how many people are left. But I can't really worry about all that. I know Rita's here. I know she's two houses down and across the path, surrounded by booby traps. I don't have high hopes for Craig, not stuck with Rita in there. If he's not dead already, he will be soon. She won't let him get in her way, that's for damn sure. And I'll be the next one in her path.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 016

  DATE: 6/12/2074

  I'm an idiot, Evenstad, and this time I can't even blame you. I know, it's probably pretty hard for you to believe that you didn't have a hand in this latest tragedy in my life, but it's true. And I'm working on it, which I bet is really going to help you here. And if I'm right, this has to be pretty close to the final stretch of this damn show. An increase in ratings can't hurt, can it? Maybe not the best time to increase viewership, but I doubt you'll complain. A finale's almost as good as a premiere, right?

  And I also want to thank you. You know, I think every single woman out there's wanted to kill her boyfriend or her fuckbuddy or whatever she has going on for her. At least once, anyway. But here, you do me a wonderful service. Not only did you give me the opportunity to finally get my chance at my man, but you're actually encouraging me to do it. So thanks for that, I guess. Kisses.

  Still working on that whole rage thing.

  ENTRY END

  BREAKING NEWS: Egyptian Terrorist Group has International Ties

  Posted 6/13/2074 at 9:27 a.m. EST

  Today, US Secretary of Defense Lena Browne announced that the insurgent group, the Egyptian Restoration Movement, has links to other powerful terrorist groups across the world. The United States and allies are currently arranging for troops to be deployed to India, China, Iraq, and other as yet undisclosed countries. This article will be updated as more information is made available to us here at The Cruise.

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 017

  DATE: 6/13/2074

  I think it's about time for all this silliness to be done. Don't you agree? I'm done being here. I'm done waiting around. I'm done keeping death as company. I never did manage to get all of Craig's blood off the walls here. That'll be a job for your cleanup crew, right? Can't resell anything with human blood splattered around, can you?

  But you know what I'm the most tired of? Absolutely, completely done with? I'm done talking to you assholes. And after I take care of Blake, god willing, I don’t have to waste another single second I don't want to on you. I think that's the only thing that's going to make killing him doable. That and just not looking.

  Ciao. Bastard.

  ENTRY END

  01

  'THE PARK' VICTOR RITA NEEDLES' SIZABLE DONATION

  7/19/2074 at 4:15 p.m. EST

  While the twenty million dollar grand prize Rita Needles received for her victory in 'The Park' would be life-changing money to just about anyone, the 27 year old bartender felt that someone else could benefit better from her windfall. She donated every dollar of her winnings to Bead for Life, a charity that helps improve the quality of life for women in Uganda. Ms. Needles plans to make a trip to Uganda, when funds allow. For the time being, she has returned to work at Exodus in her home town of Portland, Oregon. She has declined any other comment.

  TO: Rita Needles

  FROM: Niels Evenstad

  SUBJECT: Job Offer

  SENT 7/24/2074 AT 10:36 a.m. EST

  Ms. Needles.

  I realize that we have not spoken in some months. First of all, I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to you once more. Myself and everyone else here at Evenstad Media are absolutely thrilled. We couldn't be happier about the way things turned out. And, on top of everything else, we have a very exciting offer for you. We hope you will, at the very least, consider it.

  We can discuss this all in greater detail in person, of course, but in general, we hope that you will aid us in spreading the good word about Evenstad and our current and future projects. We feel that you would be uniquely trusted, given your situation.

  If you are interested, please reply at your soonest convenience. I hope that this will be a fruitful partnership between us.

  Regards,

  Niels Evenstad

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Media

  —

  TO: Niels Evenstad

  FROM: Rita Needles

  SUBJECT: RE: Job Offer

  SENT 7/25/2074 AT 2:28 a.m. EST

  I thought I told you I was done talking to you. Doesn't that fucking preclude then working with you assholes? I'm pretty sure it does. But, if I didn't make this all clear enough or, if for whatever reason, you weren't reading my journals like I thought you were the whole time, let me fucking clarify.

  No.

  Fuck off.

  Suck a dick.

  Lick my god damn cunt and die.

  Like I'd let you eat me out. You should be so fucking lucky.

  You already stole six God damn months of my life, then two more where I had to play the pretty, preening little winner for your cameras. And I did it. I don't know if you drugged me or forged my signature or what happened, but as far as the legal side is concerned, you got me. But I did my time, and I don't plan to give you another fucking second.

  Ciao.

  Valued Evenstad Media Customer.

  Since you showed such interest in The Park during its first run, we are so excited to share this news with you first.

  The Park is being brought back for a second season. For your wonderful support of this project, we will keep you informed of the premiere date and any other pertinent information.

  Thank you for your devotion to Evenstad Media. We hope that you will remain among our valued customers.
r />   Evenstad Media

  Enjoyed The Park?

  Check out Evenstad Media Presents: The Mall

  Last year, Evenstad Media's hit reality show, The Park, rocked the world. Death, subterfuge, sex: it had it all, and the public begged for more. Evenstad came back with a second season: The Mall. Twelve more strangers, eleven more murders, and one more opportunity to rake in money.

  But as the show airs, there's something more going on. Evenstad Media's Chief Operating Officer is getting harder and harder to reach, and nobody knows why. The company's computer systems are being hacked, and nobody knows how. There's an uprising against the violence Evenstad is putting into the world, but nobody knows who.

  What will happen to The Mall, and to Evenstad Media? Who will make it out alive? And what happens when the destruction falls on both sides of the arena walls?

  Buy Now on Amazon!

  AUTHOR'S NOTE

  Thank you for reading The Park. If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review, so others can find and enjoy it as well.