A Chink-a-Pen Mystery: The Mountain Zombie and Finding Mr. Bones

By Janice Bearden

Tweed is looking forward to spending the summer with his uncle Rainer. His uncle Ray lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in a small mountain cabin he named the chink-a-pen. Tweed and his two friends, Nolan and Lonnie, explore Blood Mountain, searching for the mountain zombie. The boys get caught up in a mystery when they find a skull in a muddy creek bed. Their adventures will take them to a lost cave in the mountain where they hope to find hidden treasure. Instead, they encounter an adventure gone wrong and a secret they must keep.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644928585

Book preview

Chapter 1

Tweed blinked, but his eyes remained focused on the clock that hung against the wall in front of him. He wasn’t sure the hands were moving at all, they appeared to be stuck.

Tweed ran his fingers through his hair as he squirmed in his seat, becoming more impatient by the minute. When would this day ever end? he thought as he slid down into his seat. He cracked his knuckles, then began to tap his pencil’s eraser against his book bag as he waited for the bell to ring.

Tweed couldn’t believe his ears when the bell sounded. He smiled to himself. Finally, the longest day of the year had come to an end. It was the last day of school. Students around him were bunched together, moving quickly to clear the room.

Tweed popped up from his desk, tucking his pencil behind his ear before reaching to grab his book bag and swing it over his shoulder. He mingled into the noisy crowd of students as he hurried down the crowded hallway to clean out his locker. When he reached his locker, he turned the combination lock and gave it a tug.

Just as he pulled the door open, Alexandria Bowman appeared out of nowhere. Her shoulder brushed against Tweed, causing her to lose her balance. Alexandria grabbed on to Tweed’s shirt, giving him a smile. Oh, excuse me. I hope I didn’t knock your arm off or mess up your shirt. She said, her face turning a blush.

Tweed let out a chuckle, exposing his teeth behind a delighted grin. He leaned against his locker. No, I’m fine, really. How about you, are you okay? Tweed ask, as his brow pleated with concern.

Alexandria twisted her head to swing her blond hair over her shoulder. I’m fine. She smiled as she touched his arm. Well, you take care of that arm and have a great summer. Maybe I’ll see you on the bike trail. She said with a smile and looking hopeful.

Tweed nodded his head. Maybe, but if not, you have a great summer as well.

She waved as she walked away and disappeared into the mass of excited students making their way to the nearest exit.

Summer vacation had officially begun, no time to waste. When Tweed had finished gathering his things, he placed the combination lock inside before closing the locker door. There was so much commotion going on, everyone seemed to be talking and yelling all at once. Tweed made his way down the hall, feeling himself being pushed and shoved in all directions. He stretched his neck, looking for an opening to squeeze through.

Finally, he managed to break away from the crowd and make it outside unscathed. Tweed wasted no time hanging out with his buddies as he hurried to hop aboard the school bus and head for home. He was looking forward to the upcoming days of summer.

As Tweed made his way toward the back of the bus, he spotted an empty seat next to Woody Wilson. As Tweed got closer, he could see Woody slumped over, his back resting against the window. His long legs were stretched out on the seat, his feet crossed at his ankles. He was looking quite comfortable until Tweed called out.

Move over, dude, you don’t need the whole seat, Tweed said, before pushing Woody’s feet to the floor and scooting in next to him.

It was apparent Woody had dozed off momentarily, and was surprised that Tweed had pushed his legs from the seat. Woody, a little dazed, slid over next to the window.

Tweed tugged at his jeans after swinging himself into the seat next to Woody. Man, I am glad to see this year end.

Woody nodded, acknowledging his remark. Me too, it’s been a tough year.

Tweed held tight to the seat in front of him as the school bus grunted and squeaked as it pulled away from the curb. Woody turned his head to glance behind him as the school faded away in the distance. Students bounced and swayed as the bus rolled down the road.

Woody looked at Tweed. You got big plans for the summer? Woody asked.

Tweed smiled. Yeah, you bet. I am going to visit my uncle. He said with a chuckle.

Woody had a puzzled look on his face and shook his head. That doesn’t sound like fun to me. He said with a grin.

Tweed laughed out loud. It would, if you knew my Uncle Rainer. He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and we go hunting and fishing. Who knows, this just might be the summer I finally get to see the mountain zombie. Rumor has it he roams the mountains and haunts the mountain people that live there. Most claim to have seen Zombie, and I believe them. Tweed told Woody with excitement in his voice.

Well, that does sound like a great vacation after all—the fishing and hunting, I mean. But zombies? Man, you have got to be joking. It’s difficult enough to deal with the living, can’t see me messing with the dead. Woody said, pushing his hair from his face.

Tweed laughed and slapped his knee. How about you, Woody, are you going somewhere or doing something exciting? Tweed ask.

Yeah, I signed up for baseball, and just before school begins in the fall, my parents are planning a trip up to Myrtle Beach. I’m pretty excited about that. Woody told him as he snapped his fingers.

Sounds like we both are going to have a great summer. Tweed said with a hardy laugh.

Woody stood and gathered his things. Hey man, my stop is coming up. I guess I’ll see you in a couple of months. Woody gave Tweed a playful punch on the upper arm as he prepared to exit the bus. Then Woody turned with a grin. Watch out for the mountain zombie, you hear?

Yeah, see ya, dude, Tweed replied.

When the bus neared Tweed’s stop, he lifted himself from his seat and walked to the front of the bus. Tweed gave a wave to his classmates, then he stepped from the bus.

Tweed could hardly wait to get to his room so he could finish packing. He pushed open the front door and bolted up the stairs. He removed his book bag from his back and threw it in the closet. He reached up to retrieve his favorite baseball cap from the top shelf of his closet. That was when he realized his favorite Braves cap had gotten mashed flat. So he bumped the cap against his knee, and it popped back into shape.

Tweed stretched up to grabbed his navy blue windbreaker off the hanger and threw it on top of his duffel bag. He had learned one thing from his days in the Boy Scouts: always be prepared. This would be one of those times. Those late evenings bring cool breezes that mingle through the woods and around the mountains.

While Tweed spent his summer in the mountains, his parents were taking a cruise to the Bahamas. Tweed didn’t care anything about going on a cruise. He was excited about spending time in the mountains doing his favorite things, hunting and fishing. Rainer lived in a mountain cabin that he had named the chink-a-pen. It was small but the perfect place for a loner like Rainer and his faithful dog Lexie.

For the past three summers, Tweed had spent most of his time hunting, hiking, and fishing in the mountains with his uncle Rainer. It was like going to summer camp all over again, except he was the only one attending. It was a different world, the perfect place for a boy looking for adventure.

By the time Tweed was ready for bed, he could hardly sleep, he was so excited. He lay there gazing up at the ceiling, thinking about all the fun things he and Rainer would find to do. Morning couldn’t come soon enough.

Chapter 2

Tweed awoke early; he threw back the covers to crawl out of bed. The excitement he felt was like a shock of electricity. He hurried to dress himself, grabbing his jeans from the floor where he had thrown them the night before. He searched for the T-shirt he had gotten at a recent concert. When he found it, he pulled it over his head, leaving the hanger to swing back and forth from the closet rod. He slipped his feet into his sneakers and hurried downstairs to eat breakfast.

His dad, Frank, was already up and sitting at the table sipping his morning coffee. His face remained buried in the morning paper as Tweed entered the kitchen. His dad lowered the paper and looked up when he heard Tweed pull his chair out from the table.

Good morning, Dad, ready for that trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains? Tweed ask.

You bet. How about you? Frank ask, as he wiped his mouth with his napkin.

With as much excitement as he could contain, he answered, I’m ready. I have thought of nothing else. He began filling his bowl with Cap’n Crunch cereal.

When will we be leaving? Tweed asked, as he opened the refrigerator to pour milk over his cereal.

Frank folded the paper and put it aside. I am ready anytime you are. I want to spend as much time as I can with Ray before I have to head back to Atlanta. Tweed, I’m concerned about Ray’s health. He is not the old Ray we use to know. He says he is fine and up to having you spend the summer with him, but I’m not so sure he is being honest. Keep an eye on him, son, and report to me anything that seems to be unusual. Frank reminded him.

Sure thing, Dad, but I’m not worried. Uncle Ray is tough as nails. Tweed added, quite sure of himself.

Frank gave a chuckle. That he is, son.

After breakfast, Tweed gathered his things and made his way toward his dad’s truck. Tweed told his mom, Diane, good-bye as they wrapped each other in a hug. Tweed opened the door of his dad’s truck to throw his duffel bag inside. Then he ran to help his dad load his bike into the back of the truck.

After lifting the bike into the truck, Tweed ran his hands down the legs of his jeans to