"Bride Bed Full of Blood" Summary

The goatwoman's medicine heals Inman's physical wounds, but his thoughts remain painful. He runs out of food and finds no game. Ravenous, he eats wild cress. Seeing his reflection in a pool, he breaks up the alien image. He wishes he could become a bird and soar to a distant perch. A wet crow stares at him and Inman strikes off down a little-used track. Next day, Inman realizes he is being followed, and confronts a little hog-eyed man in overalls and a black suit coat, who flees into the forest. Inman fears he will alert the Guard, so he threatens to shoot. The man gives the hand signals of a secret society that Inman learns in the hospital. He gives the countersign and the man continues the code but Inman declares he...