by Voss Foster
Dead
1/11/2074 at 8:18 a.m. EST
Famous journalist, blogger, and internet personality Leah Redmann, better known by the pseudonym Krax, was found dead on the Cynwyd Heritage Trail in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania early this morning. Family and local law enforcement are declining comment. We will update this article as more information is made available to us here at The Cruise.
UPDATE: 1/11/2074 2:22 p.m. EST: Police have released a statement claiming a drug overdose as the cause of death.
UPDATE: 1/11/2074 9:06 p.m. EST: Inside sources reveal that Mrs. Redmann did have a prescription for hydrocodone/APAP (Vicodin). Our source tells us that all of the bottles found in Mrs. Redmann's home were empty.
JOURNAL 09TINA
ENTRY 002
DATE: 1/8/2074
This paranoia is getting the better of me. I had to trek all the way across the trailer park today. I got scared of some sound outside the window. It was probably just a tree or a bush scratching or the walls settling. But I heard it and I freaked and aimed the medallion. So no more wall and no more privacy. It was so loud, my ears rang for a good two hours after the blast. I don't really know what it is this thing does, but I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of it. Got to make sure I don't lose it.
I wish they would turn on some lights. That's all I really need is light. But it's also really the last thing I need. It's enough that I have the lights on in this house. Light is too noticeable to get too attached to it. I hate it, but it's true. If someone finds me, I'd rather they be just as blind as I am. It'll give me a chance to escape.
I'm wondering how big this whole place is, too. I went quite a ways and didn't see another single person. The twelve of us could go a long time and never see each other. I just hope it works out that way.
ENTRY END
JOURNAL 10MANFRED
ENTRY 003
DATE: 1/9/2074
I can tell that David is not fully comfortable with me. I cannot blame him for feeling that way. It is the nature of the situation in which we have been inserted. But to his credit, he has done a wonderful job of making me feel as welcome with him as he can, under the circumstances. We talk, and I feel myself falling into a sense of security. I feel as though he would protect me, and I believe that I would do the same for him, as best I could. Perhaps I am wrong and he only wishes to gain my trust so I do not see his attack coming. I can't worry about those things, now. It would be pointless to focus on such negativity. What I know is that I have someone to share a meal with when we are hungry, and someone to share words with.
We talk about many things. He is a schoolteacher. Grammar school. He is divorced with no children. We do not delve deep into the subject of our lives. I think it is too painful to go into the true joys and the true sorrows, the things that one or both of us shall never know again. So we touch only the very surface. I am content with having things this way.
The two of us have finally broken down. He, like I, had refused to use the strange medallions, even for the purposes of experimentation. But we both agree that we can't afford not to know any longer, with things as they are.
When David pressed his button, the medallion released a gas. I have never been attacked with pepper spray, but I imagine it would be something similar. The burn lasted in my lungs for at least an hour after he used it. My eyes watered, and I failed to choke back vomit.
As for my own, it proved somewhat less subtle. Like lightning, directed forward. The trailer I aimed at is still smoldering, some hours later. I do not like possessing such power, but I will not turn it down. It is too useful for that. I will simply pray that I never need that usefulness.
ENTRY END
JOURNAL 03BLAKE
ENTRY 002
DATE: 1/9/2074
So far, everything's cool. I mean, okay, it's not, because this is all fucked up, but it's cool for being as fucked up as it is. I mean, I know this is totally stupid, and I wouldn't write it if I thought anyone but me would see this journal, but it's kind of exciting. It's like a video game, sort of. They even put powerups around the trailer park, apparently. Not that I've found any, yet, but that's what our letter told us. It's a good thing, because I don't know how useful just mine is going to be. It's better than nothing, but all it does is shoot out a spray of these little energy ball things. Kind of like a shotgun. And it takes probably ten seconds to fully recharge. Those little balls leave decent dents in the ground, but I don't know what it would do to a person.
God, I sound, like, sadistic or sociopathic or some shit. I don't want to hurt anyone. That's not what it's about. But I might have to. If I do, I want to make sure that I hurt them well enough that they don't hurt me back.
When I was a kid, I always kind of liked the idea of living in a video game. Who didn't think about it at some point, really? But it's not like I thought it would be. No one gave me any rules for this game. And it's not fun. It sucks ass.
ENTRY END
JOURNAL 08DESIREE
ENTRY 002
DATE: 1/9/2074
God, You in all Your wisdom have given me another gift. When I went to the windows to look at what was causing that noise, I was using the medallion to make myself invisible, in case anyone wanted to hurt me. And something told me that I should let it go and reveal myself.
Well, when I did, I found him. You sent me a companion to make my time here less lonely. A handsome young man named Justice. He was getting just as lonely as I was, and You made sure that we found each other.
He's a little foul-mouthed, but I accept it as another part of him. You knew all of this about him when You chose to send him to me, and I do not question Your endless wisdom. Perhaps I can even fix that fault.
I have prayed for a man to enter my life for many years, and wondered at times if my prayer was being ignored. But now I see how foolish that was. I should never doubt Your glory. This is never what I expected or even imagined, but I know You have a reason for doing things the way You have.
So I thank You for bringing us together. Together, with Your guidance, we will be able to survive all our trials.
Amen.
ENTRY END
TO: Dr. Matilda Grand
FROM: Niels Evenstad
SUBJECT: RE: Psychology: The Park
SENT 11/12/2071 AT 2:23 p.m. EST
Dr. Grand,
I have looked over your review of the psychological impact of our social experiment, and I am very pleased with your work. It was very thorough. I will be presenting it to the rest of the board here at Evenstad Media this coming Friday, and I would be very appreciative if you would join us. It would lend a certain credence to your conclusions that I alone would not be able to bring to the table.
If you choose to attend this meeting, please let me know as soon as possible. The company would cover your airfare, room, board, and any other expenses you may incur.
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Niels Evenstad
Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Media
—
TO: Niels Evenstad
FROM: Dr. Matilda Grand
SUBJECT: RE: Psychology: The Park
SENT 11/12/2071 AT: 4:03 p.m. EST
Mr. Evenstad,
I would be happy to take part in such a meeting. Although I'm not certain how you intend to make these people believe that they are killing each other, the possibilities are very exciting. This is a part of human nature that psychologists rarely have a chance to delve into.
In fact, I was hoping that I might be able to obtain your permission to release a paper on the experiment, when everything is over and done. We can talk about it in more detail when I see you tomorrow.
&nb
sp;
Dr. Matilda Grand
Head of Psychology, Evenstad University
—
TO: Dr. Matilda Grand
FROM: Niels Evenstad
SUBJECT: RE: Psychology: The Park
SENT: 11/12/2071 AT 4:39 p.m. EST
Dr. Grand,
Your flight will leave at 10 a.m. tomorrow. I hope that's not too short of notice. I doubt I have to tell you, but business attire will be required.
As for the paper, I can see no issue with it. It will, of course, have to pass by the rest of the board members, but approval seems likely.
I will also warn you now that you will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement. We can't have anyone involved with the project in its inception reveal anything before the program has aired. I'm sure you understand.
A driver will be there to pick you up tomorrow morning.
Niels Evenstad
Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Media
JOURNAL 05CRAIG
ENTRY 002
DATE: 1/9/2074
I've been trying to get into this CESU, see what makes it tick. Hell, if I'm being honest, I'm hoping that there's a way to get out of here, if I can just find it. And my Master's in electrical engineering says that, if anyone here can, I can. Unless I'm not the only one here who's qualified. Still haven't met anyone else, yet. I guess it's possible that everyone here could be an electrical engineer. If that's the case, all the more reason to start in on it now, before someone else does the work.
At least, that was the thought. My main hurdle is the lack of any kind of tools. Food, I have. Water, electricity, heat, shelter, light. All of that's good. But there aren't any tools anywhere in this house, or the houses around it. Without tools, I'm kind of at a stopping point. I tried