Chapter 24, Shadow Grounds Summary

The Dreamreader once again visits the Gatekeeper who tells him he can obtain a musical instrument from someone called the Caretaker who works at the Power Station. The Gatekeeper explains that the Power Station is some distance into the woods and gives explicit travel instructions. The Gatekeeper also notes that the Caretaker is not a normal person. He then finally allows the Narrator to speak with his shadow; they meet in an intermediate location between the Town and the outside called the Shadow Grounds. The shadow is losing strength due to the winter but still possesses nearly all of the joint memories of the Narrator and the shadow. The shadow received the map but was unable to make use of it due to the lateness of the season. The shadow argues convincingly that the Town cannot truly be inescapable...