The Park Read online

glimpse of them running past. Nothing else. But that means that there definitely are other people here. It's no longer a theory. Which means the danger is no longer a theory, either. I'm not the kind of person who gets paranoid and jumpy, but every little sound out there is definitely someone. That's what my brain keeps telling me, anyway. Even the sounds that I know and recognize must be someone.

   

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 12DAVID

  ENTRY 003

  DATE: 1/5/2074

   

  I've lost Nathan. I don't know what the issue was, but when I woke up this morning, he was gone and his window left open. The poor kid probably doesn't even know what's going on. I assume he read the letter, since it wasn't on his shirt when I found him. But I can't say that with any level of certainty.

  I have to go look for him. I'm still determined to keep this kid safe, if I can. And right now I can. I hope I can, anyway.

   

  ENTRY END

  TO: Richard Appleby

  FROM: Suzanne Young

  SUBJECT: Welcome

  SENT 10/23/2073 AT 9:17 a.m. EST

   

  First of all, congratulations on your new position with Evenstad Media. I'm sure you will enjoy yourself.

  Mr. Niels Evenstad, our COO, has asked me to remind you of the privacy policy attached to your position. You are to speak to no one of your work, as it could compromise the integrity of the project. The full privacy policy will be attached below to ensure you have a copy.

  After your initial training, you will be sent to the undisclosed filming location. Room and board will be provided for the duration of your stay. Please make any and all necessary preparations between then and now, as the length of your stay is as yet undetermined. No Internet access will be provided while there, and only limited phone calls, monitored by the head of security.

  As a special caveat of your particular position, your marksmanship will be tested monthly. Should you fall below the eighty-fifth percentile in accuracy, you will be granted a one month grace period. If, after that month, your marksmanship still ranks below the required accuracy, your employment will be terminated and you will have no chance for rehiring.

  If you have any questions before you leave, please email the pertinent department. If you don't know which department to ask, send the email to me and I will forward it to the appropriate party. I will also attach a list of email addresses for your ease.

  I hope you enjoy working for Evenstad Media as much as I have,

   

  Suzanne Young

  Administrative Assistant to Niels Evenstad

  JOURNAL 10MANFRED

  ENTRY 002

  DATE: 1/5/2074

   

  The alarm went off again today. I was close enough to the edge to watch. Whoever was approaching the wall was just a boy, and he ran as though something vile was after him. He seemed so desperate, I chose not to follow for fear of attracting his attacker. But now, how I wish I had followed. Perhaps I could have stopped him. Instead, I watched, waiting for whatever or whoever to strike. He ran, ignoring the final three blasts of the siren.

  I heard the cocking of guns from above as he got closer.

  I tried to shout a warning after him. He didn't hear me. A muzzle flare sparked at the top of the wall. I expected the boy to crumple at any moment, but instead, the bullet pounded into the ground. The boy himself was gone.

  A few feet closer to the wall, he reappeared. Two more muzzle flashes. That time, he fell. I felt like the third shot was unnecessary, but it, too, hit its mark. Not a difficult shot. He couldn't move to avoid it.

   

  ENTRY END

  11

  Supporting the Grim Reaper: The Reality Behind Evenstad Media's 'The Park.'

  1/9/2074 at 7:26 a.m. EST

   

  Twelve contestants locked in a trailer park and outfitted with strange technology. Only one can leave alive. It sound like something you'd hear in a preview before watching this summer's next explosive, blood and gore blockbuster. But it's not. It's currently the second highest rated show on television, and the numbers suggest that it could take the top spot by next week.

  But, after last week's episode, can we, as a nation, continue to watch? Should we encourage a company who just broadcast the murder of a twenty-four year old kid into millions of American homes? This blogger thinks not. I, for one, am already looking into alternate television providers. I can hope that others will join me.

  'The Park' is only going to continue taking lives if we allow it. That's the premise, isn't it? Eleven will die. And what of the twelfth, the single survivor? I'll eat my own cat if their 'winner' doesn't come out of this with severe psychological trauma, at the very least.

  But what disturbs me most of all isn't even the fact that the show exists. We've always known that the bourgeoisie have depraved tastes. That should surprise no one. No, what disturbs me is how many people, how many members of the proletariat, have chosen to watch this. How many have chosen to buy extra products that Evenstad Media offers to enhance the experience for fans of their meat grinder. What does it say of us if we continue to watch this? With all of our technology, all of the great minds of the modern era, we find ourselves no better than the Romans, watching gleefully as victims are sent into the Colosseum for our pleasure.

  I pray that my words won't fall on deaf ears. For my sake, for the sake of our country, but more than anything, for the sake of the eleven poor souls trapped in that hellish trailer park.

  I don't know how they got these people to volunteer, or even if they did, but I will guarantee they weren't given much of a choice. Evenstad Media needs to be stopped dead, right now. And if we choose to, we can. We have the numbers. Rise up now, or fiddle as Rome burns.

   

  Krax

  JOURNAL 12DAVID

  ENTRY 004

  DATE: 1/7/2074

   

  It's been two days since Nathan was shot. I wasn't sure if I would be able to go get him to bury him without being the next target, but I managed. Well, we managed. Manfred has been nothing but helpful this whole time. He's a sweet old man. Not the sort of person that should be here. But then again, neither am I. At least I don't think I am.

  I looked through Nathan's journals after we buried him. It was flick withdrawals. Poor kid. I can't even start to imagine what detoxing must feel like. He was going through it on top of being in this place. If I was ever going to use the word torture and really mean it, I think now would be the time. It must have been real, honest torture.

  As for Manfred, he and I are getting along decently. He didn't know Nathan, but he said some beautiful words over his grave. "Death is not hard for the dead. It is only the living who suffer. And today, with the loss of this young soul, all our world will suffer."

  I don’t know why it struck me so hard, but it did.

  I tried to find his medallion, too, but it was missing. It was hard to see in the dark, though. I probably just missed it. I don't dare go back over there. I'm pretty certain that we were only granted that single bit of amnesty to move Nathan's body. Going back would probably get me shot, too.

  Manfred and I will be staying in the house as much as possible. We both agree that it's for the best. But I'm still keeping my distance. I hate that I even have the thought, but it's possible that Manfred had a hand in Nathan's death. I wasn't there for it. I only came in on the end. And if he was willing to kill the kid, I hardly think his remorse would kick in over me.

   

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 002

  DATE: 1/7/2074

   

  Hello again, you lovely Evenstad Media people. How are the ratings on the new show? They should have gone up after that kid got shot, right? I admit, despite my intense belief that the wealthy have unlimited capacity for evil, I wasn't entirely sure you would go through and actually kill someone, if it came down to it. Kudos, I suppose. I have to
admire your commitment to this project. But you've also confirmed to me that you are indeed horrible people. That kid wasn't even thirty, and you just shot him down dead.

  But I guess it's all about horrible people for you. That's what this show will make us all into, by the end. Horrible murderous people, or the victims of horrible murderous people.

  And, if you ever wanted a review in writing, I'll be nice: your little medallion energy things are wonderful. I managed to filch the kid's medallion when those two guys weren't paying attention. It seems like it might come in pretty handy.

  Here I am, playing into your hands, stealing from the dead to get ahead in your twisted little competition. I just hope you got that on footage. Lord only knows what that could do to your ratings. Juicy shit, there. You're welcome.

   

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 04JUSTICE

  ENTRY 002

  DATE: 1/7/2074

   

  I'm fucking tired of being all alone. So I'm out. I'm looking around for someone. I know it's a God damn idiot move, but they can't all be ready to gut me. Even I don't believe that shit. People are generally good, in spite of what it looks like ninety percent of the time. Probably the only time I'll ever admit to it, and no one's going to be seeing it. That doesn't mean I'm not ready to defend myself, though. My fire medallion thing may be useless as long as I have shelter and electricity, but I can sure as hell use it to put some fear in anyone who tries to mess with me. Not what I necessarily want to do. I mean, I'd be pretty fucking happy if I didn't have to touch the thing the whole rest of the time I'm here. But I doubt any of us will get that lucky.

   

  ENTRY END

  Famous Blogger Krax