[2688] Coming of Age/YA Prologue

Hello all, I’ve been working hard on polishing my prologue with suggestions you guys made and I just want to get some impressions of it.

My main concern is that the prologue:

1. uses flashbacks poorly (I fear I’m being lazy using them)
2. is too unnatural/confusing (too much happens too fast)
3. is clunky/has a lot of filler
4. isn’t compelling (characters/plot is boring) Aaaaaand
5. isn’t well developed (plot/characters make no sense)

What I want to convey in this story is:

1. Arson attempt by a self harming/depressed school student, motive is vague
2. Student flees with another student, who is implied to have bulimia and a budding cigarette addiction
3. This is their second chance as they go on the run and leave everything behind
4. The arson student had to leave behind the love of their life

So please let me know if I’ve done those successfully or if I should simplify this prologue further (I had a beta reader say a prologue should introduce only one or two story elements max)

I’d really appreciate some feedback on this, I think I’ve made big improvements but there’s always more to be made!

Also I know it’s only the prologue but would you say you get the impression this is too dark for YA?

Thank you in advance for any help :)

My critique: https://www.reddit.com/r/DestructiveReaders/comments/omzzqr/2703_city_of_silt_alternate_chapter_1_revision_1/h61ti7v/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3

My story: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13pSMk_LcnhL5IM6-DciUbkTEbahVvtjKozZ_gTL5kXE/edit