The Park (Evenstad Media Presents Book 1) (12 page)

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 real 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.

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 complete,
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