Shadow Walkers
by Brent Hartinger

Release Date: May 2011

Publisher: Flux

Age Group: Young Adult

Living with his grandparents on a tiny island off the Washington State coast, Zach feels cut off from the world. Especially when he's forbidden to chat with his online friends. But then his little brother, Gilbert, is kidnapped. To find him, Zach discovers how to astral project. Soon, his spirit is soaring through the strange and boundless astral realm—a shadow place.

While searching for his brother, Zach meets a boy named Emory, another astral traveler who's intriguing (and cute). As they track the kidnappers from the astral realm, their bond grows—but each moment could be Gilbert's last. Even worse, there's a menacing, centuries-old creature in their midst that devours souls and possesses physical bodies. And it's hungry for Zach.

Here Today I have the awsomeness that is Emory! Who going to let us know a think or two about being an astral traveler and a few other things....Zach! woot!

Hey Emory, How was your life before you met Zach?

I hate to sound like a typical complaining teen, but ... my life was lonely and boring. No, wait -- it really was! It's not my disability -- it's that my parents controlled everything I did. They wouldn't let me have my own friends, or read or watch what I want.

Well, okay, they still do. But let's just say I found a way around 'em, huh?

So you’re an astral traveler right, what is that actually?

This is just between you and me, right? 'Cause, um, there are certain people (*cough* my parents *cough*) I don't want knowing this…

Astral projection is when you separate your spirit from your body and go traveling around the "astral", or spiritual realm -- which is like a second dimension superimposed over the "real" one. Spiritual things and beings live there, and they can see into our dimension, but we can't (usually) see into theirs.

It sounds complicated, but it's not. We all do a little bit of astral traveling when we're dreaming.

What was your first experience as an astral traveler?

It took me, like, four years of meditation to be able to do it. And when I finally did to it, it was totally by accident -- it was one morning that I "woke up" before actually waking up. I was sort of half-awake, half-asleep. But I knew it was more than a dream. And sure enough, I tried it again later that day when I was definitely awake, and it worked!

But you wanna know the really funny thing? Even though I was doing astral projection, even though I was in the spiritual realm, I was still really lonely -- maybe even lonelier than I'd been before. The astral dimension is a big lonely place!

It wasn't until I met Zach that that changed. But that story you have to read for yourself.

What would you say is one of the perks of being an astral traveler?

When your parents are right-wing fundamentalists, one perk is you can actually leave the house!

It's also a great way to meet guys. Who knew, right?

Then there has to be a down fall to astral traveling right? Your body And spirit are vulnerable.

Understatement of the world! Unfortunately, there other beings in the astral realm, some good, like Zach, and some really, really evil. It's like rock-climbing or SCUBA diving -- one screw-up and you're dead!

Zach is such an awesome guy( both of you are actually, with what you both went through to get Gilbert) What would you say is one of your favorite qualities about him?

I love Zach 'cause he's so passionate and caring. I mean, how passionate do you have to be, how much do you have to care about people, to be able to force yourself into the astral realm like he did, even with no training?

Do you see yourself differently after everything you two have been through? For the record, it was very brave of you :)

Thanks, but I don't know how brave it was. Well, okay, half-brave and half-stupid!

It's weird, but yeah, I see myself as TOTALLY different. Before you do something, you don't know if you can do it, you know? Now I guess I know I don't freeze or freak out during a crisis. Which is a good thing!

Plus, well, I have a boyfriend. ;-)

Would you have when through the whole experience again, with saving Gilbert, and facing that old evil creature?

Only to save Gilbert. When I think about how close Zach and I came to disappearing forever, and almost letting that thing into the world, well ... let's just say I've broken out into more than one cold sweat over the last few months.

It's been a pleasure chatting with you Emory, will we be seeing more of you?

There just might be another story or two to tell about Zach and me. Actually, there is, and it's even weirder than the first one!

Your secret is safe with us Emory(hopefully your parents won't be reading this lol)

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