The Secret Place: A Boy’S Journey into the Woods

By John Chipley

.So, at about the age of twelve, when most boys do what they are told NOT to do, B. J. went into the woods. From that day on his life was never the same. This is more than just another book. This is our sons secret journal that we found years after, well, years after he disappeared. These are his words. This is his story. The following was written on the first page of his journal, As I start my story, I cannot tell you my name, or where I live, or anything that might disclose who I am. I can, however, tell you one thing; when I was a baby my grandpa called me B.J..

When our son was growing up none of the children were allowed to go into the woods behind our house. Two boys disappeared in the woods over ten years ago and were never found, not a trace. I think this is why B.J. had to go into the woods. He had to see for myself what was there. What he found was another world. It was a world that he writes about in his journal. He writes about an old lady called Mowmow. He writes about his best friends LaCharles and Lizzy. He writes about a pond that is deep in the woods, and what he discovered on the other side of the pond. He writes about love, fear, death, and God.

I left the pages of this book basically untouched; (so, you will find some misspelled words and incorrect grammar). However, I didnt want to change one word of what B.J. wrote. Every word is a clue as to what happened to him, or where he might be. When you finish reading his journal entries, maybe you will understand? Maybe you can help us find B.J.?

The sketches in this book have been redrawn. However, the original sketches made by B.J. are in the cold case file in the basement of the Charlotte, North Carolina courthouse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456745943

John Chipley

Shirley Nelson Kersey, Ph.D. Readers of the books of fiction featuring Little A, a boy living in the projects of Memphis, are instantly aware that the writer is eminently qualified to focus on this young hero. Only a person who has taught in the inner city schools is able to create a fictional, yet realistic account of the life of a youngster struggling to find himself in this environment. John Chipley, whom the boys fondly have dubbed Mr. Chip, taught in Memphis inner-city schools for over fifteen years. In retirement he offers weekly volunteer sessions that focus on encouraging boys to read. This is a lofty goal, for the boys live in homes and neighborhood environments not structured to develop reading skills or dreams of career advancement. Mr. Chip’s goal surpasses development of reading ability to encourage the boys to enjoy this privilege. Chipley is formally prepared to teach, for he holds both Bachelor and Master of Education degrees. However, the most memorable aspect of his classroom presence is his heart. He cares deeply about each one of his students and is there for them both now and in the future. Through the persona of Little A, Chipley gives the boys a fictional character with whom they can identify. Little A’s life style echoes theirs. While reading this series of books, the boys witness someone they can relate to. Little A is a wonderful fictional character full of wisdom, character, adventure, and confidence.

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AuthorHouse™ LLC

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© 2011, 2014 John Chipley. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse   03/28/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4567-4593-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-4594-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011903257

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CONTENTS

Journal Entry #1

Journal Entry #2

Journal Entry #3

Journal Entry # 4

Journal Entry #5

Journal Entry #6

Journal Entry #7

Journal Entry #8

Journal Entry #9

Journal Entry #10

Journal Entry #11

Journal Entry #12

Journal Entry #13

Journal Entry #14

Journal Entry #15

Journal Entry #16

Journal Entry #17

Journal Entry #18

Journal Entry #19

Journal Entry #20

Journal Entry #21

Journal Entry #22

Journal Entry #23

Journal Entry #24 One month later

The Secret Place

001.jpg

Written by John Chipley

Illustrated by Tom Chipley

To my wife, Melody, who continues to allow me to

take my pen and pencil and play in the woods;

and patiently listens to my stories when I return home.

The Secret Place

The first words I ever remember my grandmother saying to me were, B.J. don’t ya’ n’er go in them woods ‘hind your house—ya’ he’r me boy? –—n’er!

So, at about the age of twelve, when all boys do what they are told not to do, I went into the woods. From that day on my life was never the same. I wish now that I had listened to my grandmother and my mother. But I didn’t, and now it’s too late to undo what I shouldn’t have done.

As you start to read my story there are things I can’t tell you. I can’t tell you my name, or where I live, or anything that might disclose who I am. I can, however, tell you one thing; my grandpa called me B.J. It’s a name my Mom always hated, but it stuck, and there wasn’t anything she could do to stop people from calling me B.J. So, now you know my nick-name.

After my first visit into the woods, weird things began to happen. My life began to change, and I decided to start keeping a secret journal. Every night before going to sleep I would write in my journal. I swear, everything you are about to read is the truth, cross my heart and hope to die.

B.J.

TheSecretPlace

002.jpg

Written by John Chipley

Illustrated by Tom Chipley

CHAPTER ONE

Journal Entry #1

Dear Journal,

It’s already midnight. The house is dark. Everyone is asleep except for me and my flashlight. I’m under the covers of my bed. One hand is holding a flashlight, the other hand is writing in my journal. Today I have decided to start keeping a journal –- a secret journal. I am going to write in my journal every night before going to sleep. I am going to write about everything! If you find my journal, well –— It’s probably already too late. I will probably have already returned to the woods for the last time, never to be found. However, my journal will help mom find me, or what’s left of me.

If you find my journal, please give it to my mom. If (or when) you discover my journal, DO NOT TELL ANYONE! You don’t understand yet, but –– well –, just keep it to yourself.

Tomorrow I will tell you more.

Good night, Journal,

B.J.

CHAPTER TWO

Journal Entry #2

Dear Journal,

It’s all so weird. I guess I should first start by telling you about this strange old lady who lives in the woods behind my house. I met her for the first time while playing in the woods last week. She told me her name was Mowmow. That’s all she said, Mowmow. She was a strange looking old lady, and I kept my distance, –—just in case she was crazy or something. Woods are great fun to play in, but I have discovered they can sometimes turn deadly.

Today, I was late coming home from school. My teacher, Miss Peabody, kept me after school for detention. When I left school it was almost 4:30 and Mom gets home from work around 5:00. If I didn’t take the short cut through the woods, mom would get home before me; and –— well, I didn’t want her to know I had detention, (again).

As I came to