Crow

Crow’s significance in these passages lies in his absence: Rose counts losing him to Abra Stone among the setbacks weakening her position before their confrontation. The evidence does not show how Crow was lost or what happened to him, but it makes clear that Rose regards the loss as consequential.

Presence in the Conflict

During a phone exchange, Abra challenges Rose’s account of the True Knot’s strength and claims to have driven Rose from her mind. Rose resists the accusation, insisting that Abra does not understand what the group is or what it must do to survive. Crow is not heard from in this exchange; instead, his fate surfaces later in Rose’s private reckoning with the group’s losses.

Rose’s Assessment

As Rose watches a truck arrive at the lookout, she reflects that illness, defections, and losing Crow to Abra have occupied her attention. She nevertheless pushes away the possibility that she has overlooked anything important, telling herself that she remains in control and has the advantage. Crow’s loss thus registers as a real disruption, even as Rose tries to contain its significance and preserve her confidence.