The Park (Evenstad Media Presents Book 1) (6 page)

JOURNAL 04JUSTICE

ENTRY 004

DATE: 2/08/2074

Well, the decision got fucking made for me, I guess. I've
got to leave this place and head out into the park. It's for Desiree. Logic be
damned, I guess. I'm attached to her, as much as I don't want to be. And she's
not doing very fucking well. The last few days, she's been really quiet. Not
that she ever talked too much, but it's been almost silent. When she does talk,
it's very slow. Sometimes she doesn't even respond when I ask a direct
question. It's fucking scary, and it doesn't bode very well for her. She's not
going to be able to fend for herself. She wasn't all that capable before,
really, but now she doesn't have a hope. Which means that I'm responsible for
her. At least that's how it goes in my head. I know I shouldn't give two shits
about this girl, but here I am, fixing to leave my safety behind just so I can
try to ensure that she stays alive. I'm telling you. Fucking damaged women.
They're my downfall.

According to that letter I got when I woke up here, there's
more of these weird-ass medallion things out in the park. I don't know, maybe
they're not worth it. Maybe I won't even be able to find one of them. I doubt
that these people just left them lying on the fucking ground. I know I haven't
seen one yet. I'm taking Desiree's with me when I leave, too. Being invisible can't
hurt. I don't know for sure how long it lasts, but I'd rather have it than not.
I don't have any kind of watch, but I'm going to try and keep the trips short.
I'm worried about leaving her alone too long. Damn me. Damn her. Damn this
whole fucking thing. But mostly damn me and my pathological need to help a
damsel in distress. Cause I tell you what, Desiree is damn sure distressed.

ENTRY END

JOURNAL 10MANFRED

ENTRY 005

DATE: 2/06/2074

It has been too long since I have felt safe enough to write
a journal. I know that I should do it daily. I know that. But I have been
otherwise occupied. I knew that I could not stay in the same house. It was a
risk that I was unwilling to take. As much as David's death affected me, my
survival is now of more importance than my mourning. I'm certain I won't be
able to hold back my grief much longer. Not now that I have assured a relative
measure of safety for myself.

I can thank the military for one thing, at least. The
training I received is now proving useful. I have managed to cover my own
trail, I believe. At least, I have not yet been found. I could not move
quickly, nor far, but I was able to find a new house to stay in. I do not move
much. I keep the curtains drawn. There is little point to having them open,
anyway. No sunlight to let in. I still stay below the windows as much as
possible, and the lights are only on when I absolutely cannot avoid it.

I am concerned over my health, however. Much more than
before. While I still do not expect to survive this ordeal, I would hope for a
faster death than starvation. I can only force myself to eat small amounts. Too
much and I throw it all up. I can feel the weakness, a shiver and ache in my
limbs any time I dare try to move. I have considered strongly ending it myself.
It would be kinder to me and it might save someone the trouble of dirtying
their soul. But, at least today, I have not been able to make the final leap
over that line. The idea however, is there. I cannot honestly believe that, at
some point, it will not become more prevalent, the voice more powerful. One day
soon, it may even sound reasonable. But for now, such a death seems too
terrifying.

ENTRY END

JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

ENTRY 003

DATE: 2/09/2074

So, I've had a moment of self-discovery. It's not as great
as that makes it sound, though. I've realized that even though Julia's a bit of
an idiot, I might rival her in that regard. I realized that I might be sticking
around for more than the food. That's all I thought it was. I don't know about
that, I guess. If I'm being honest, since it's just me here, I think I knew
that there was something else going on. Not just the food. But I either didn't
want to admit it to myself or I didn’t quite understand it. I would hardly
think I would be the type to fall for someone as totally useless as her,
especially not with everything being so important as it is right now. She can't
afford to ignore what's going on, and I can't afford to be saddled with someone
intentionally ignorant like her. But I also can't afford to be missing as much
work as I have. The company needs me and I've been gone for a month. But that's
happening. And apparently this is happening, too.

I don't notice it when I'm with her, though. Which is pretty
scary as it is, not noticing everything that's going on around me. But I don't.
All we do is talk and laugh and eat. Damn it, her food is good. But I think I
could go without it and still be just fine, sitting there with her every night.
I've already moved in, and that's a huge step.

I try to talk about this whole situation with her at least
once a day, but she doesn't want to hear it. She doesn't want any reminders
that she isn't just living her normal life. That's why all the blinds and
everything stay closed, so she doesn't have to see what's outside. The emptiness.
She just stays in the house and cooks and cleans and talks. And honestly, I've
started doing the same. I find myself bringing up the real reason we're here
just as much to remind myself as to try and jog her out of her denial. Which
might be the scariest thing of all. I'm beginning to buy into her delusion, and
it's a fatal delusion.

ENTRY END

JOURNAL 06RITA

ENTRY 004

DATE: 2/14/2074

Well, looks like things are working out. I told you I'd be
trying to raise your ratings. I bet there's all kinds of fan speculation now,
wondering if Blake and I were together from the beginning, right? And then
you'll have the people who think I just jumped on an opportune situation.
They're right. I didn't know that the kid was actually going to kill that guy.
I should have realized it, the way he was hanging around the house, throwing
rocks at the windows. Clever kid. But I had him in my sights, didn't I? I even
got him halfway convinced that he's not even killing anyone. I wasn’t sure that
one would work, but damn it, I'm glad it did. It means he's good and gullible.
Just the way I need him to be.

Make sure you keep those camera lenses nice and shiny clean,
boys. I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on this. I bet it'll be damn good
television. I'm sure the kiss will be enough to pique your audience's interest,
right? What more could they really expect, though? It is Valentine's Day. It
would just be a sin not to kiss my new beau on Valentine's Day, don't you
agree?

ENTRY END

TO: Matthieu Moreau

FROM: Suzanne Young

SUBJECT: CESUs

SENT 8/19/2073 AT 11:16 a.m. EST

Matthieu,

This is just to confirm the plan on the setup for The Park.
Namely, the placement of the CESUs. Mr. Evenstad has some basic guidelines, but
he has specifically requested that a single individual take charge of the
official placement. You will, of course, not be allowed to tell anyone else any
details of this. You've worked with the company long enough that I hardly need
to point that out, but it bears repeating nonetheless.

There will be twenty-eight CESUs in the form of golden
medallions. Each will be individually packaged and labeled with a number from
one to four. The numbers indicate a specific strategy Mr. Evenstad would like
applied to the CESUs thusly labeled. Those strategies are detailed below.
Within the confines of Mr. Evenstad's instructions, you have free reign to
place the CESUs as you see fit.

1: 9 in total; these are to be put more or less in plain
sight or with minimal attempts at camouflage.

2: 11 in total; these are to be hidden, but not particularly
difficult for the contestants to locate; should not be visible upon first
glance.

3: 5 in total; these are to remain out of sight; should be
very difficult to locate; will preferably require physical effort to reach.

4: 3 in total; no specific instructions are attached to
CESUs labeled with a 4; it is of note that these CESUs are considered to be
either particularly volatile or otherwise dangerous; these should be placed
with attention to viewer intrigue above all else.

If you have any questions in relation to this, please
respond to this email. Do not create any other information trails dealing with
this subject. I will be in touch with you at a later date with further
information.

Suzanne Young

Administrative Assistant to Niels Evenstad

Dear Valued Evenstad Media Customer,

You've watched The Park. Now how would you like to be a part
of it? How would you like to live it? Now you can participate in all the game
play you love to watch without leaving the comfort of your computer chair.

Say hello to The Park: Live and Breathe. Design your own
character, pick a random CESU, and do your best to survive in our all new MMO.
The game map is an exact replica of the arena from The Park. All of this, the
full Park experience, can be yours for the low, fixed price of $11.95/month.
Your price will never increase, but this is a limited offer. If you want these
kind of savings, you need to subscribe before the end of this month. As always,
if you are dissatisfied with the service for any reason, you are free to cancel
at any time. No fees, fines, or charges.

For more information, or to sign up for The Park: Live and
Breathe, call our Customer Service Hotline at 1-888-003-8000 Monday-Friday, 8
a.m.-8 p.m. EST.

From us, thank you,

Evenstad Media

JOURNAL 09TINA

ENTRY 005

DATE: 2/15/2074

I'm not safe here. I never really thought I was, but I just
had to have some people around me. And staying here seemed to me like a much
better option than getting murdered by Susan. She's a whole different kind of
nuts. Like, the kind you hear about in the newspapers. Soccer mom kills six but
shows no remorse. That kind of nuts. I don't spend any time with her I don't
have to, and she pretty much ignores me. Which is good, I guess. I'd rather her
ignore me than to be constantly on her radar. But there's a part of me that
wants her to give me something more than that, too. So I could see into her a
little better, try and gauge what she actually thinks about me.

I guess it doesn't really matter. I'm pretty confident I
have a good enough idea of what she thinks about me. She wouldn't have any
issue throttling me on the spot, if she got tired enough with me. Same thing
with Craig, too, I think. Both of us are expendable to her, I wouldn't doubt.
Me, at least.

That's why Craig and I have been talking about maybe
leaving. Probably leaving. I want to leave, let's put it that way. Craig wants
to leave, too, but he wants to wait. I really, really don't agree with the
whole thing, but I don't see myself taking off without him. He wants to stick
around long enough to get a little closer to Susan. He still wants some tools,
and she keeps a pretty tight hold on whatever she's been able to cobble
together, but he thinks he can get to some more, if she has them. We just have
to stick around a little longer.

That's his theory. Mine is still get away from the psychotic
nutjob lady. But I'll stick with Craig as long as I can. If things get too much
tenser around here with Susan and I, I'll probably be forced to leave for my
own safety.

ENTRY END

JOURNAL 07JULIA

ENTRY 004

DATE: 2/15/2074

I can hardly contain my excitement! I don't have any chance
of getting to sleep, so I had to write it down. I don't want to forget any of
it.

Christina moved into my bedroom tonight. It's silly and
stupid and I just love the way it feels. I haven't had anyone in my bed with me
for a long time. Not just to sleep. She didn't say very much, but what she said
mattered. She wanted to get in my bed just to be close to me. She said it
quietly, but I heard it. I can still hear it in my head. She wanted to be close
to me.

I know I won't be able to sleep, still, but I don't want the
light to wake her up, so I have to sign off on this. But someone actually wants
me. Christina wants me. I finally see a chink in that wall.

ENTRY END

JOURNAL 11SUSAN

ENTRY 004

DATE: 2/17/2074

Craig and Tina are planning to leave. They don't think I pay
attention. They don't think I know. I let them believe that. But I know. And I
know he wants tools. I don't have any. None better than I let him use. I keep a
hold on them to make him wonder. Otherwise, he'd already be gone. Rather have
him here. Once he's not useful, he'll be easier to deal with if I have him on
hand. Tina's alive temporarily. Probably not much longer. Puts too many ideas
out there.

ENTRY END

TO: Evenstad Media

FROM: Natalie Klein

SUBJECT: The Park Query

SENT 2/17/2074 AT 3:16 a.m. EST

Hello.

I am sorry to bother you. I realize that you and your
company are very busy and probably don't have much time to deal with questions.
I just need an answer, if you can provide me with one.

My husband, Manfred Klein, is currently a contestant on The
Park. My feelings for this program aside, I hope that you can answer a simple
question. Do you by chance know why my husband agreed to participate in this
program? I realize that there are legal reasons you likely cannot reveal this
information to me, but I beg that you will find some ounce of kindness to
overlook those policies. I need to know why. And I need to know why he didn't
tell me about this. Please

Regards,

Natalie Klein

—

TO: Natalie Klein

FROM: Evenstad Media

SUBJECT: RE: The Park Query

SENT 2/17/2074 AT 10:46 a.m. EST

Mrs. Klein,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We here at
Evenstad Media are devoted to customer service above all else.

Your husband Manfred signed a contract with us shortly
before we began recording. While you are correct in thinking that some details
may not be revealed, as to avoid legal repercussions, we will of course help
you in any way possible.

Manfred's decision was based on you and your children. As
you may know, the winner of The Park will receive twenty million US Dollars,
which works out to over twelve million pounds, after conversion. That would be
enough to live on for some time. And, in the unfortunate event of his death
during filming, you and your children would receive a biannual stipend to cover
all of your living costs. Manfred thought only of his family, I assure you. I
was present during contract negotiations personally.

As for why he didn't inform you, we can only guess. The most
logical answer, of course, would be that he simply didn't want you to worry
about him. However, beyond mere speculation, we can't offer anything on that
front.

Hopefully, this answered your questions. And again, we here
at Evenstad Media thank you.

Evenstad Media