The Park Page 17
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
JOURNAL 10MANFRED
ENTRY 010
DATE: 5/13/2074
I am still throwing up. There was blood today. I may not have a medical degree, but I know enough to realize that vomiting blood is not a good sign. I will not make it much longer at this rate. I have written as much in this journal before, however now I feel that the end is imminent, barring a miracle.
But I still believe that Natalie and the children shall be cared for after my death. That, at least, is a comfort I can take in these final days of mine. And if Evenstad doesn't care for them, I can only hope that ghosts are real, so I might haunt them to their death.
ENTRY END
JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA
ENTRY 012
DATE: 5/15/2074
He's been too close for too many days. I've taken my medallion back. I have to end this.
ENTRY END
JOURNAL 04JUSTICE
ENTRY 011
DATE: 5/15/2074
It's time. It's never going to get any fucking easier, so I just have to do it. I'm going to make that business suit cunt hurt. I've got fire. I've got the poison gas. It's ending. Now. Let's just hope I don't fucking pussy out again.
ENTRY END
06
US Meeting with Allied Military
5/13/2074 at 11:16 a.m. EST
Today, US Secretary of Defense Lena Browne and President Victor K. Larson announced a meeting later this week with the leaders of France, China, the United Kingdom, India, and Israel, all former allies of the United States
during World War III. Watch us here at The Cruise for updates as this story unfolds.
UPDATE: 5/18/2074 at 3:01 p.m. EST: With the meeting over, the foreign dignitaries have returned to their homelands. President Larson and Secretary Browne have both declined comment.
JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA
ENTRY 013
DATE: 5/15/2074
I should have let Julia keep my medallion. Maybe this would all be different. Maybe. Or maybe not. Maybe I just should have attacked faster.
That bastard wasn't after me. He went straight for Julia. What Julia did to him, I don't know. Maybe he knew her beforehand and had some damn grudge. I can't imagine what kind of grudge would justify setting someone on fire, but I'm learning more and more about just how fucked up people can be every day I'm in here.
Julia's alive, which should be a good thing. But it's not. She's burned half to death. More than half to death. Exposed bone kind of burned. Her breathing is weak. She keeps passing out, and it takes her longer and longer to wake up every time.
So I'm going to end it. I have to. For her. She made life here just a little more bearable for me. So I'm going to make death more bearable for her.
I don't know if anyone's going to see this, but I hope someone will. I hope someone finds just this one entry, and they can know how much I loved her. I loved her so much it hurts. I loved her so much I pulled the trigger.
ENTRY END
Ch. 696: THE PARK: 9 p.m. EST: As the drama continues, we finally see Justice's plan come to fruition. And it's darker than any ever thought. A darker fate even than death.
05
JOURNAL 10MANFRED
ENTRY 011
DATE: 5/18/2074
I do not quite understand how I should feel. I have stopped vomiting, but only by not eating. I don't bother anymore. It holds little purpose to me, anyway. I do not intend to survive long. And yet, with