The Park (Evenstad Media Presents Book 1) Read online

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 07JULIA

  ENTRY 006

  DATE: 4/17/2074

  I have to write this journal while Christina's asleep. Of course, she sleeps most of the time nowadays, anyway. Poor thing. She just hasn't been right since that attack. But I have. That's why she can't see this.

  I know it's wrong, but I liked it. I liked being that close to death. It wasn’t my death, and maybe that's the big difference. It probably is, I suppose. I'd be even worse off than she is if that woman had been coming after me. I bet she would have, after she took care of Christina, but I don't know. In her place… well, I can't say. I don’t think I can put myself in that state of mind, really.

  I know it's not right for Christina. She's been acting so weird lately. Not herself at all. When I met her, she looked like power. Plain and simple power and control, and nothing else about her. Now… I don't know. She's cracking, I guess. Things are starting to get to her. She's told me a couple times now that it would be best for me to just leave her, since she's a weak link. But I cracked too. A lot more than she did, and for a lot less. But she was there. I'm hardly just going to leave her to fend for herself now. It wouldn't be right. And I'd miss her. A lot. Really a lot.

  But I have an idea, too. I think I can get her to snap back together. At least well enough for her to keep playing this game. Or it could really wreck her up. Like, a lot worse than she is right now. A lot. But she always tried to do the right thing with me. That meant letting me figure out my own stupidity without a lot of interference. I don't think letting her sit and go stale is good. I've got to take an active role in getting her put back together. And I'm hoping that a trip outside is the right thing.

  But I worry that it's just me wanting to go out, too. Because I do want to. It was so exciting… I just have to think about it and trust my instincts. What else is there?

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 11SUSAN

  ENTRY 009

  DATE: 4/21/2074

  Found Craig. Moved in close by for now. He's good. Managed to set up traps. Obvious traps. Probably has others. Smart kid. Won't be too easy. I can manage. A lot of money when I do. Going to watch him move for a while. Find where he doesn't step. It won't be long. He's smart, not sneaky. Not too sneaky, at least.

  Considered shooting a hole through the house. Be easier. But too noticeable. Could see that golden ball almost anywhere. Not worth the risk, now. Not if I don't have to. Have to get a clean shot. Every shot I make is worth almost two million. Twenty million divided by twelve. I'll take my time.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 07JULIA

  ENTRY 007

  DATE: 4/21/2074

  I already hate myself for what I'm going to do. It makes me want to puke just thinking about it. But I have to. I'm going to take Christina outside today. Back to where we were when that woman tried to kill her. Or nearby. As long as she realizes that's where we are, it'll work just fine.

  And I have to scare her. I don't know how, yet. I can figure that out later. But it has to happen. It's the only way I can think to maybe jog her back into herself. Maybe. Or ruin her. Or… I need to stop. I can't keep worrying about it. But I should. But I can't.

  I hate this.

  ENTRY END

  NOTICE FOR ALL RESIDENTS

  Fort Lewis will be hosting military training exercises from Sunday, April 22nd to Saturday, April 28th. All non-military personnel are banned from the premises, barring special permit. Dangerous weapons will be present. For the safety of all involved, a 50 foot perimeter will be maintained around the airport. Any persons attempting to cross will be arrested and fined a maximum penalty of $100,000 and serve a minimum six-month prison sentence.

  The training may produce strange lights and sounds. Please do not be alarmed by these. Everything is well under control. In the event of a disaster, all citizens within a one-mile radius will be immediately evacuated. While we do not anticipate any such failures, please be prepared for any eventuality.

  Lena Browne, United States Secretary of Defense

  JOURNAL 04JUSTICE

  ENTRY 009

  DATE: 4/23/2074

  I haven't fucking left, yet. I found those two ladies, but I can't make myself fucking go over there and just do it. Or even try to do it. It wouldn't be difficult. Just set the fucking house on fire. If she runs, I could get her. I only need to take out the business suit, after all.

  But I don't want to. I ain't a fucking killer. I know I need to be. I need to be for Desiree's sake. Fuck, it's for my sake just as much. Probably more. Desiree don't fucking know what's going on. Not anymore. She won't fucking know anything ever again. Just thinking about it makes me so mad, I can't hardly fucking think. Which is probably how I need to feel to get this done.

  The bitch in the business suit. She's the one who has to suffer. For all the pain she caused. She deserves the absolute worst. I think I can do it. I hope I can. I ain't a killer. But this ain't real life, so I don't have to be me. Ain't that just fucking wonderful?

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 009

  DATE: 4/23/2074

  I went out with Julia. Back to that spot where the crazy psycho lady tried to kill me. I knew what she was doing. She's not stealthy at all. But I played along. Her little trick didn't scare me, pretending to see someone. I attacked them and acted, for her.

  What scared me was what I did see. There was someone out there. A real someone. I couldn’t get a good look. They weren't wanting to be seen, and no matter how used to the dim lights I was, it wasn't hard to hide yourself. But there was definitely someone. I saw them a few times, following along with us. I didn't tell Julia. She thinks I'm breaking. Maybe I am. But she's still fragile, too. Can't worry her, and I didn't want her to think I was just seeing things. That wouldn't make her feel better about any of this.

  Of course, maybe I am seeing things. I don’t like it at all, though. Real or not, there's someone. I'm not looking outside. I might see whoever this bastard is. If he's real. Or she. Or it. I don't know. I just don't fucking know.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 05CRAIG

  ENTRY 010

  DATE: 4/24/2074

  The house isn't right. Everything looks right… but nothing looks right. Like someone was in here. Which worries me. I checked through every room and didn't see anyone. But one of the traps got tripped. A net I made from bed linens. But it's been cut through. Or burned through, judging by the marks.

  I shouldn't worry. I'm just paranoid, and I know that. It doesn't help that I didn't find anything to help fight anyone who might show up. No luck at all. Which sucks ass.

  I still can't shake the feeling that I'm not safe here. But I'd be a lot less safe if I tried to move. Definitely. I just… I'll have to get over it. I'm writing it here: at this exact moment, I'm going to pull myself together. Doesn't do me any good to worry about the things that could be happening, or that could happen at some point in the future.

  I sure do make a lot of affirmations in this damn journal.

  While I'm being unrealistically positive, I may as well write about how they're bound to let us all out. And about how Tina's not really dead. I'd throw in how it might all be a dream, but I don't think that would be all that good. What the hell would it say about me if my brain could come up with this kind of shit?

  ENTRY END

  Evenstad Enterprises Expands to Include New Agricultural Arm, Evenstad Farms

  4/24/2074 at 2:19 p.m. EST

  Today, Evenstad Enterprises, parent company of Evenstad Technologies, Evenstad Media, Evenstad Foods, and over a dozen other companies, announced yet another member to their family: Evenstad Farms. According to newly appointed COO of Evenstad Farms, Marta Evenstad, their goal will be to 'acquire new, fertile farmland, then ensure it is properly tended so as to avoid the past mistakes of the human race.'

  For the past several decades, viable farmland has been scarce. If Evenstad Farms' plans work o
ut, it could be a new beginning. While no more information is available at this time, we will keep you up to date as news reaches us here at The Cruise.

  JOURNAL 11SUSAN

  ENTRY 010

  DATE: 4/26/2074

  Kid's good. Got me in a net. Burned my leg cutting my way out with that laser. But I'm alive. Good news. All I need.

  Know the layout. Electric wire. Been watching. Craig will come back soon. I'll be there. Then I can have his house. Two million dollar headshot. Just like a pretty model boy.

  ENTRY END

  07

  JOURNAL 05CRAIG

  ENTRY 011

  DATE: 4/27/2074

  It's over. I don't have to worry about Susan at all, now. Not even in my dreams. After I killed her, it all stopped. I was so relieved, I sobbed when I woke up.

  Honestly, I don't remember that much of it. I'd gone out looking for a CESU to help protect myself. When I got back, she ambushed me. I sprained my ankle getting away, but I'm still here to feel the pain. Not too much complaint. All I had to work with was the little laser I'd been using to bust into the CESUs. Hell, it could have been useless. But I took my shot when it presented itself. Clean through her forehead and out the other side. And that was it. No more Susan. No more nightmares.

  I searched her body right after I was sure she was dead. If I'd let her go cold, I just don't know if I could have done it. She had a nasty burn on her calf. I would bet she was the one that tripped the net. Caught herself with a CESU cutting her way out.

  And she had three CESUs. Tina's, her little laser, and a third one. I can't believe that they would actually leave that last one around for just anyone to find. It was a big, golden ball of heat. Or hot light. It was ridiculous, though. I fired it and it just kept going. Don't know what ended up happening to it after it got out of sight, but the fact that it was powerful enough to even go out of sight before dissipating proves how ridiculous it is. I'm glad I have it. I can keep it locked away from everyone else. Nobody needs that kind of power. The other two, I'll figure out something for. I'll probably keep Susan's original medallion just the way it is. Tina's would make a decent booby trap. Doesn't look like it had a whole lot of range, but it's definitely got some power. And it's loud, too. Good alarm. I just have to figure out how to work it to make it as effective as possible.

  It's not all good, though. I don't have nightmares about Susan, but I can't get her out of my head. I killed her. I killed another human being. I keep telling myself that she was a psychopath or a sociopath or something, and that she would have killed me just as dead as I killed her, but it doesn't help. I didn't feel remorse. Or not enough remorse, at least. I know it's stupid, but I feel like I should feel worse. Instead, all I think about is how good it all is. No more Susan to worry about. It's so damn nice… but I don't think it should be nice.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 010

  DATE: 4/27/2074

  I see him all the time. Everywhere. Never head on. He's always outside. I can see his shadow out of the corner of my eye. Behind the curtains, shadowed footsteps passing by the door. I see them in the tiny space above the kick plate. He'll stop. If I'm quiet, I can hear him breathing. I know he's real. Julia doesn't believe me when I talk about him, but I'm not crazy enough to hear things that aren't there. I refuse to believe that. I'm not that creative. He's out there, just waiting for me. If I hold still, and I have the windows open and the lights off, he'll come closer. Close enough to see some of his features, although I don't get much in the darkness. He's tall and he's broad and I can't tell for certain, but I think he's black. It doesn't matter. He's already here. It's not like I'm going to go looking for him. No need to pick him out of a lineup or anything. I just know that he's big and the idea of running into him scares the shit out of me.

  I don't know why he's just waiting around and stalking me. He's probably had lots of clear chances to take me down. Then again, why the hell haven't I done the same thing? That one, I know how to answer. As much as I want to be sure of everything, and as much as I think I'm not imagining this, there's enough doubt in there that I can't. What would Julia think if I just melted out the window because… well, because of nothing? For no reason? I don't think she'd abandon me for it, but she'd see me in a less flattering light. We'd have to move to a new house again, too. This one's relatively safe. If I'm just nuts and seeing things, it's really safe. Completely safe. I can't be sure one way or another. So I just have to sit here and hear him and see him stalking around the house and try to pretend that I'm fine when Julia's around.

  That'll work.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 10MANFRED

  ENTRY 009

  DATE: 4/28/2074

  I have neglected my journaling, and this time I have no good reason for doing so. I was already moving out in the open. The light would not have given me away any more than my walking about. I know better than this. Or I should.

  I have finally found a new home, for the time being. I passed it by several times in my search, but I have finally settled back here. I was hoping for another suitable place, but this is the safest, even though I have neighbors. Neighbors I certainly don't want. A boy and a young woman. I fear they must be the same two who killed David. Fate would be so cruel.

  There is a home between us, but I hardly think that is enough of a barrier between myself and Death. It seems I won't escape, no matter how hard I try to escape. Or perhaps I am simply reading too much into all of this. It is coincidence. There are only so many homes, and I am sure several of them have been compromised during this competition. We are bound to find one another at some point. Yes, we can all pretend that there are no walls, but they are there, and they hold us here. We will meet. It is simply the way things are, and I have found myself once more in the company of murderers.

  If we are bound by some sort of fate or destiny, I am glad I left. More than glad. If we would have met no matter what, I would rather we meet here than put Craig or anyone else in danger for the sake of my fate.

  I throw up every day, now. I tell myself it's from nerves, which is possible. It is likely part of the issue. But not entirely. I know that. I am unwell, and have been for some time. I struggle to keep food in my stomach.

  So it's not a question of if I shall survive, but rather what will kill me. Will it be the boy? The woman? Or myself? I find I no longer contemplate suicide. At first, it seemed a good thing. But now I wonder if it is not simply my body signaling how close to death I truly stand.

  ENTRY END

  WHO IS GOING TO WIN THE PARK?

  POLL 3

  1: Justice (20%)

  2: Rita (15%)

  3: Blake (13%)

  4: Christina (12%)

  5: Craig (11%)

  6: Julia (9%)

  7: Manfred (8%)

  8: Susan (7%)

  9: Tina (2%)

  10: David (1%)

  11: Desiree (1%)

  12: Nathan (1%)

  (Information Collected by The Cruise)

  JOURNAL 04JUSTICE

  ENTRY 010

  DATE: 5/1/2074

  I'm fucking exhausted. I just can't manage to make myself sleep anymore. It seems like I pop back up as soon as I close my fucking eyes. My arms and legs are always sore, which just makes everything that much fucking harder.

  I know why I can't sleep, and I know what I need to do to make it better. I just… I just don't think I fucking can, still. I'm watching and I'm waiting for the right time, but the right time's come three dozen fucking times over and I still just stalk around her house. I see her moving, I see straight in there when the curtains are drawn.

  That bitch in the business suit, she has to pay. And she will. I already swore that. It's just… it's a lot fucking harder than they make it look in the movies and on TV and shit. If I could do it without looking, maybe. But I might miss. And I'm not willing to do that. Sure, it would give one of them a chance to kill me first, but that's not the re
al problem. No, I just don't want the death to spread any further than it has to. This is between the two of us. No one else needs to be caught in the fucking crossfire. One death. Then, as far as I'm concerned, I can fucking drop dead right there. Just so long as I know I've done my duty for Desiree. Let her lady take me down, then.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 008

  DATE: 5/2/2074

  Well, well, it's been a while, hasn't it Evenstad? I didn't mean to leave you like this for so long. I'm sure you've missed hearing from me. But, of course, you can just watch your little recordings and find out what I'm up to. I'm sure you do that with all of us anyway. And I'm sure you've seen the little gift Blake gave me. I didn’t even solicit that from him. He just wanted to give it to me to try and keep me safe. Which is just so sweet. I couldn't very well tell him that I was well armed enough anyway, could I? It would have crushed his poor little heart.

  It might come in handy, though. We just got a new neighbor. I haven't told Blake about it yet. I might not. It's an old guy. Probably not a threat. I've been keeping an eye on him, though. And I hardly need to point out how it's probably keeping your viewers interested. We've already pretty well established how wonderful I must be for ratings. But damn it if I don't just love reminding you.