[1887] Deadlands, Chapter 1

This is the first chapter of a new project I'm working on, which for now I'm calling "Deadlands" (just a working title, until I decide on something better!)

The story is set in the titular monster-filled landscape and follows a small group of characters as they try to survive the perils of a world tainted by dark magic, trying to find other humans and a safe place where they can live.

I'm looking for the usual kinds of feedback - prose, pacing, tone, whether it keeps your interest and whether you'd keep reading - but I'd also like opinions on a specific question. I recently shared this on another writing sub and the response I got was that starting in media res was a bad idea, that without context for the situation there are no stakes and it's hard to feel empathy for the characters. When plotting out the story I'd always planned to start this way, dropping the reader into a point shortly after the journey has already begun and giving context to how they got there through dialogue and memory in later chapters, but if the consensus is I'm only hurting the story I'd like to know so I can restructure.

Additionally, is it generally agreed that starting with the protagonist waking up is a cliche that should always be avoided? My thinking was "it's fine as long as it's not boring" but I don't want people rolling their eyes after the first line of the story haha

Any and all critique is appreciated, thank you in advance!

My submission: Chapter One

My critique: [2052] Exodus Chapter 1: A Deal with a Demon