I’ve been seeing a lot of depressing stuff, lately. Here and elsewhere I am finding more and more stories about dark characters facing hopeless situations. I see more and more characters give up and return to bad habits or bad lives. Characters that kill themselves or shun others or betray friends because they “had no choice”.

That.

Is.

Bullshit.

You always have a choice. Those choices aren’t always good, admittedly. Sometimes they’re dangerous or frightening. Sometimes the only way to start a new life is to abandon the parent that’s treating you badly or the sibling that can’t kick the habit. Sometimes it means you may have to die to be free.

But you can always choose.

Write me a story with a character that chooses to be better.

Re-enter old stories if you wish; so specific setting necessary; enter as many times as you wish.