[@PlatinumSkink] I understand that, the idea of not wanting to cut certain things because you want the added information because it's helpful for stories. Of course it is. My critique on everyone's usually was for the prompt's length, nearly everyone kind of ignored that. Though I felt that's half the challenge. So, I kind of want the 1,000 word count version of that story, and I believe you could do it. ;3

With more time to think about it. One thing I actually felt that you did well. (and not to toot my own horn, but myself as well.) Was the prompt was literally about "New Beginnings" so one thing that I feel would be important was answering the question. "Could you imagine the character(s) in this story, after the ending of the story?" Right? It's about beginnings, yet several people murdered their MC, which feels completely antithetical to the concept.

Very few seemed like a lived in world you could imagine what may happen next...which is something I just like in stories period. I can imagine that character, and their trials to becoming that better person.