While I didn’t read the prologue that you included because it had been removed, I don’t understand why the prologue would be considered a distraction. I consider it an explanation for how the story came about, which I found interesting, and thus something that would interest the reader. Each reader can choose to read it or not. Remember, it is a preface or prologue and not an actual part of the story. But Camp Echo is your creation and you have to decide whether it belongs or not. I just thought that it would help to attract more readers.