[3047] Goblin's Gift v. 2 (stand-alone speculative fiction short story)

Hi,

This is the second draft of this story, with significant rewrites based on r/DestructiveReaders critiques of the first draft (thank you to everyone who read the first version!). It's time to get someone else's eyes on it besides my own again. Thanks in advance for all feedback; comments are enabled in the doc., feel free to add them.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fEJmAAbVBA6lV8UBIGCXDO6xX3PCAH3x/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108272648249610433566&rtpof=true&sd=true

My critiques:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DestructiveReaders/comments/xk9j2c/1163_the_clearing_chapter_i/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

https://www.reddit.com/r/DestructiveReaders/comments/xji5y7/4337_let_the_shattered_rot/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3