Chapter 7

Summary
Teacher is distracted with worry for Shiva, ponders the ominous visit from the Outsider. Shiva wakes up, with no apparent effects from being touched, reveals that the now Headless Outsider claimed to have some information about her family and wished to take her to “Mother.” Teacher and Shiva set out to find the Outsider for some answers. It leads them to a lake, agitating Teacher. The Headless Outsider seems confused as to why Teacher doesn’t understand the situation and asks if he is a stranger or perhaps cursed, raising more questions from Teacher. They are cut short as a pack of four dog-like, black creatures arrive, excited to see ”a soul” (Shiva).

One creature carries clothing from another “soul,” but the “Big One” (Headless Outsider) reminds it that clothing is meaningless, according to Mother. While Shiva waits on dry ground, Teacher decends into the lake with the Outsider’s head and four beasts to meet the alleged “Mother.” The Outsider claims to know more than Teacher saying, “I’ve been me longer than you’ve been you.” Taking the head in his hands, Teacher asks it the secret of breaking the curse.

Characters

 * Teacher
 * Shiva
 * Headless Outsider
 * Mother's Children
 * Mother (Mentioned)