The Inn (Evenstad Media Presents Book 3)

by Voss Foster

  Magnus Evenstad,

  Chief Executive Officer, Evenstad Media

  JOURNAL 06RAY

  ENTRY 008

  DATE: 1/23/2076

  Man, I don’t know. The lights probably haven’t been off that long, but it feels like hours. Maybe it is hours. It’s starting to get really cold in here, too, like somebody turned on the air conditioner. Or like somebody turned off the heater. It’s still January. It’s cold as hell outside, I bet. Unless we’re in California or some shit.

  I think this dark is starting to get to me, like really bad. I haven’t heard any footsteps out there in a while, but I keep thinking there’s got to be someone out there. It’s like I’m losing it, and no matter what I tell myself, I can’t get past the idea that someone’s on the other side of the door, waiting for me to do something stupid.

  And I think I might just have to do something stupid. It’s, like, the only chance I have, I think. I need to slip out there and see what’s going on and hope that I’m wrong and there really isn’t anyone out there. If I’m not wrong, I’ve got that knife ready. I don’t want it to come to that, but I’ll defend myself. I mean shit, I already saw that down there. I defended myself, even when there wasn’t a real threat. At least I don’t think there was, and I don’t really think there is this time. I definitely hope there isn’t.

  But I’m about to find out.

  ENTRY END

  06

  TO: Niels Evenstad

  FROM: Celia Devine

  SUBJECT: Employee Evaluation

  SENT 1/25/2076 AT 8:19 a.m. EST

  Mr. Evenstad,

  Your presence is requested by Mr. Magnus Evenstad at an employee evaluation this afternoon at 1 p.m. in his office.

  Regards,

  Celia Devine,

  Administrative Assistant to Magnus Evenstad

  TO: Magnus Evenstad

  FROM: Niels Evenstad

  SUBJECT: Employee Evaluation

  SENT 1/25/2076 AT 8:31 a.m. EST

  Uncle Magnus,

  I sincerely hope this is a mistake on the part of Ms. Devine. Otherwise, I’m afraid there’s a much larger problem. An employee evaluation? Even if this was necessary, which there’s no reason to believe that it is, the fact you went through your secretary is a personal insult to me, as well as a professional one. If there’s anything you wish to tell me about my work, you are more than welcome to do so directly.

  I hope this can be resolved swiftly,

  Niels Evenstad,

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Media

  —

  TO: Niels Evenstad

  FROM: Magnus Evenstad

  SUBJECT: Employee Evaluation

  SENT 1/25/2076 AT 9:47 a.m. EST

  I believe the matter will be handled swiftly. And I do not appreciate this response. It’s unbecoming of a man in your position to throw a tantrum, and I expect better of you.

  Any issues will be handled at your evaluation this afternoon. Should you choose to ignore the request, you forfeit any chance to defend your actions before I reach a final decision regarding your continuing employment. Of course, I trust that you are aware of this already. It’s all the standard procedure.

  Magnus Evenstad,

  Chief Executive Officer, Evenstad Enterprises

  JOURNAL 09HIKARU

  ENTRY 007

  DATE: 1/23/2076

  I’ve done something I didn’t plan on, but it doesn’t hinder me. In fact, it might be a positive. Now I’ve killed. I’ve done it up close, and my resolve didn’t break. It’s a problem, perhaps. Indicative of something worse about myself than I really want to admit. But I accepted unwanted revelations might happen traveling down this path. I expected them, and now I’m facing one.

  I didn’t know the man I killed, but I’d seen him briefly down in the lobby. He had blood on his clothing, but I didn’t see any wounds on his body. I can only assume that he attacked another one of the people in here. Maybe that eased my conscience, knowing that he’d already hurt someone else before I stabbed him.

  I was surprised by how easy it actually was. My stomach was turning because his blood was hot on my hands, but once I washed it off, everything calmed down. It’s been about an hour, now, and I seem to be mostly settled. A personal problem that I likely need to look into, but not now.

  Right now, I need to continue. If I’m going to commit to this, I’d like it all to be over as quickly as I can manage. I don’t know if I’m right, but it seems like murdering so many people would be easier to deal with if I did it in a short span of time instead of stretching it out. Less time to realize exactly what I’ve done.

  Of course, I’m likely wrong about that. I’m not a psychologist or anything of the sort. It could do much more damage to me than even twenty-million dollars of therapy could fix. But to get through right now and actually make it out alive, I need to do whatever makes it easier. Not down the road, but in this current moment. And for me, that’s hurrying. I have a flash grenade ready, and I’m steady and stable. It’s time to move down into the lobby.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 12TERRENCE

  ENTRY 007

  DATE: 1/23/2076

  I have that feeling again. Something’s going to happen soon, and this isn’t the time for anything to happen. Max still isn’t right in the head, which means Joy is worried. I don’t have any desire to abandon them here, but I have even less desire to die myself. If that makes me selfish, then that makes me selfish. It’s something I’ll just have to accept, but I can’t accept anything about myself if I’m dead. And I’m worried that’s exactly what could be waiting. It’s that kind of feeling. Something big and dangerous. Maybe it’s just something big, though. It’s still totally dark, and this place lends itself well to feeling like you’re in danger.

  But on the same token, anything big or important that happens in here is pretty likely to be dangerous. Dangerous for all of us stuck in here playing, at least. The bigwigs at Evenstad are perfectly fine, just sitting out there, watching us run around and panic. Amusing for them, amusing for the public.

  There’s definitely something in the air. I feel it, and it’s not going to be long before we all find out exactly what this whole thing is about.

  I suppose there are worse things. Whenever this comes to pass, whatever it is, we’ll at least be able to get away from these bodies. Even stuffed away, having them around isn’t healthy. Dead bodies let off all manner of harmful things when they decompose. Rotting flesh, microbes, whatever weird chemicals come from flesh breaking down. I’m not a scientist. I don’t have names or effects, but you hear things. You pick up things after enough time living on this planet, and death is one of the biggest parts of life. The great equalizer. Decay isn’t healthy for anyone.

  I can tell I’m nervous about this. I’m spouting a lot of nonsense and losing my head. I need to stay focused on what’s happening around here. I suppose it’s better that I got at least some of my panic out in the journal. Unless of course it just gave me time to dwell on everything and blow it out of proportion. I’d like to think that isn’t what happened, that I’m clearer and more able to function, respond. I don’t want anything wrecking my mental ability more than this place is by itself. I need to be able to work and run and react.

  And if this place is screwing with my head, then there’s really no way I can believe my feelings at all. I can’t trust that I’m not just being paranoid, and I don’t honestly know that I could get along without that kind of intuition. I’ve relied on it so long. Even if I knew there was an issue with my head, I’m not sure that I would accept it. That’s scary all on its own, to think that I’m really that reliant on anything. Maybe it’s not true. That would be the most welcome answer.

  In the end, I don’t know much, I guess. But I’m preparing. And if I have to leave Joy and
Max, I hope they can make it all right, and that they don’t resent me too much for running off.

  ENTRY END

  TO: Niels Evenstad

  FROM: Frederick Evenstad

  SUBJECT: Uncle Magnus

  SENT 1/27/2076 AT 10:06 a.m. EST

  Brother,

  I’d hoped that the news I’d gotten wasn’t true, but as the day continues on, I worry that it must be. Perhaps you can assuage my concerns. They’re saying that Uncle Magnus is looking to find someone to replace you. For your sake, and for the sake of the company, I want you to tell me that isn’t true. As much as you don’t want to discuss it, your health is at risk, and paying for that is expensive. For you to be out of work, I just can’t imagine it. And I can’t imagine that Uncle Magnus would really be so heartless as to throw you out on the street that way. After all you’ve done?

  Yet unfortunately, I believe it enough to come to you, hoping for a positive answer. Please give me the answer I want to hear. This has me wrapped up in knots. I’m so nervous.

  I hope you respond quickly, Brother. And I hope, maybe more than ever, that you are well.

  Frederick Evenstad,

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Technologies

  —

  TO: Frederick Evenstad

  FROM: Niels Evenstad

  SUBJECT: Uncle Magnus

  SENT 1/27/2076 AT 10:51 a.m. EST

  I wish I could give you the news you want, Brother. The best I can offer is that it’s not immediately as bad as all that. I still have my job, but it was decided at my employee evaluation that I’ll need to be monitored, in case my health deteriorates any further. Uncle Magnus has volunteered for the position of my watcher

  Candidly, I think he wants to take back Evenstad Media. I don’t understand why he would want it back, when he’s in the position he’s in, but things just seem to be pointing that way. It makes me feel like I’m some sort of insane conspiracy theorist. I know I’m not that sort of person. If I am, I would certainly hope that you would tell me. I’d much rather hear about it than continue to run on any sort of false assumptions. But I don’t believe that I’m wrong.

  I will continue on in my current position for the foreseeable future, and I’ve been assured that, if my health takes a turn for the worse and I can no longer continue on in this position, my health care will be managed.

  I’m not yet at that point, and I will continue to defend my right to this job. I created these shows and I’ve worked to make this company what it is. I did this for the family, and until I’m no longer able, I’ll continue. I want you to understand that, and when Marta inevitably comes to me with these same concerns, I’ll tell her the same.

  I hope you two will both remain by me during this, however much longer it might last. I know I don’t need to ask. I know that you two won’t leave me, and that helps support me through this. Whatever Uncle Magnus has planned, I know I can rely on both of you. Perhaps too much. If things go wrong for whatever reason, I hope you don’t sacrifice yourself. It’s not worth that sort of trouble.

  There’s not much in the way of positive news or answers for you, but it could be much worse. As far as is possible, at this current moment, I am well.

  Niels Evenstad,

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Media

  JOURNAL 09HIKARU

  ENTRY 008

  DATE: 1/23/2076

  I’ve waited more than long enough. Far longer than I should have, but I still have my reservations over taking this final step. Unfortunately, there’s no way to remove those issues. I can’t completely abandon my morals. That was the problem from the beginning. Thoroughly impossible to do, no matter how much simpler it would make things.

  I didn’t have this hard of a time with the one upstairs. I think it’s because there are more people, here. This feels more like an ambush. I’m trying to cause chaos among them, and they don’t need more worry and danger than they already have in this hotel. None of them do. They thought they might have found a bit of peace. As misguided as that notion is, I don’t have any desire to take that away from them. Seeking that in a situation like this is perfectly normal, perfectly expected.

  But I’ve spent too long thinking on this, and I’m wasting even more time, now. I’m making the commitment at this moment. I’m just around the corner from the lobby. There are only four people. I have the flash grenade, and I have my knife. It’s just a matter of using the grenade and doing what I need to do.

  I don’t think it matters who I kill here. It just matters that I do it.

  ENTRY END

  The Inn: Shortest Season Ever?

  Posted 1/23/2076 at 4:28 p.m. EST

  We’re officially three weeks into The Inn, and already nearly half of the competitors have been taken out. I’m sure by the time the next episode airs, we’ll have at least one more gone. Maybe two if things continue on this way.

  The first season took half a year, and people followed along with it, but there were some strong opinions out and about dealing with the length of The Park. No one was ever certain, of course, but the general consensus was that they tried to fix those issues with The Mall. Mixed reviews on that. They learned something about their viewership, I can say that much, and they didn’t try anything as heavy-handed as they did with the robot guards in The Mall. Well, I can’t claim that entirely. The usage of the room hazards has been a bit noticeable throughout, but forgivable in my opinion. At least they were trying to accomplish something.

  I think they might have accomplished it too well, in some respects. It’s a very enjoyable season. Better than The Mall, for certain. I don’t want you to judge that on your own. I consider that to be an incontrovertible fact (I kid, of course.). But I think we’ll see the end of this very soon. Even if the group down in the lobby breaks up, they’ll end up near each other again. We don’t know for a fact that Evenstad was manipulating the alarms and the hazards to flood them all downstairs, but the evidence is quite strong to support that theory. Look into it and see.

  If they did, in fact, manipulate the players that way, there’s no reason to think they wouldn’t do the same thing again, if the action slowed down too much. There isn’t really a way for them to avoid each other, which means something will eventually happen. And that ‘eventually’ would probably come fairly quickly, if the game up until now can be used as any kind of benchmark. The people in charge of this aren’t looking for any wasted time.

  We might see The Inn slip into the last half of February, but just barely. Unless the pacing changes drastically, there’s no real way I can see where it’s going to stretch further out than that. Of course, I’m just going off the information I have available. The things I’ve found around the internet, watching the show. If you think otherwise, let me know. I’d be interested in seeing your arguments. But for the time being, I would put my money down on The Inn being the shortest installment in Evenstad Media’s newest baby we’ve seen yet.

  And I don’t necessarily think that’s going to be a bad thing.

  Peace out, chickadees,

  Vale

  JOURNAL 03MAX

  ENTRY 008

  DATE: 1/23/2076

  I feel something in the air. Maybe it’s forcing myself to be on guard this way, or maybe I’m getting paranoid staying in here. I don’t know. Terrence was talking about feeling something coming. Maybe I put too much stock in that and it’s starting to get to me. But there’s definitely some tension around here, and I don’t like it. I think there’s a big issue coming in around here, but I ain’t sure what it is. And that means there’s nothing I can even try to do about it.

  All I have in my plan is sit and wait and I guess just hope that I’m losing it. Otherwise, something bad is probably about to happen.

  ENTRY END

  05

  JOURNAL 02JOY

  ENTRY 007

  DATE: 1/24/2076
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br />   This whole damn place is evil, I tell you, and it makes people do evil things. Or they just snatched up one sick bastard who likes to fuck with people. I don’t know. Could be either or at this point.

  Someone threw in one of those little black flash grenades. Landed right in the middle of the lobby. It went off as soon as I noticed it, and I didn’t have time to do a damn thing about it. Nobody did, and we all ended up blinded. Somebody screamed, there was somebody running, and then that scream got cut short. More footsteps running away.

  I followed Terrence’s voice into one of the meeting rooms. I don’t know if he could see or if he just prepared for something like this, but I’m sure he saved my life. Max’s too. He didn’t run when things got out of hand. He stayed. That’s some damn loyalty, and it means my brother made the right choice hooking up with him early. I sure as hell feel the fool for doubting him now.