[3213] As Red as Snow Chapter 2

Here’s Chapter 2 of my YA fantasy set in a futuristic, slightly dystopian world. I've totally rewritten this chapter over the past few days. I got a lot of great feedback here on Chapter 1; if you read the very earliest version, some lines may have been moved into this chapter instead.

I’m looking for general reactions, especially prose, characters and pacing. Any feedback is appreciated.

Story

Critiques: 4064, 2019, 2600