Fighting Fursecution: Entry 9 - - - Melody of the Soul
#9 of Fursecution Journals
June 13, 2022
I woke up to the sounds of birds chirping as rays of light poured through the entrance of my tent. I took a minute to listen to the song they sang in perfect harmony. It was really quite peaceful to this wolf's hallow soul to discern that somewhere in this world harmony still exists, even if it only subsisted in the silence of real animal kind. I wanted in that moment to just fly away with the birds, to some unknown land, to some place where I'd be free from my responsibilities and wouldn't have to care about anything anymore. However, it is in honor of my late brothers words, "Don't run away from yourself..." I pushed myself up from my inflatable mattress and readied myself for the day that was soon to unfold.
I slid into my armor proof vest and grabbed at my gear consisting of several loaded handguns with ammo clips to match, along with several types of grenades including but not limited to smoke bombs, incendiaries, and flash rounds. I fashioned the now full weapon strap I had across my shoulder and hid this all under the FLC uniform I stole from soldier 2469 after his passing from this world a year back. It felt itchy, cumbersome, and I could still smell the dry blood all over it, which no amount of washing could fade from my memories. The pants were met with a similar disdain, its taut fabric really placing pleasure against my thighs and genitalia. I laced up the boots next, really having to almost dislocate the bones in my legs to fit, myself thankful the human and I were the same foot size. I affixed the gloves next, working my furry, burly paws properly into them while the engrossing cufflinks from the suit met with the material. I fastened the helmet to my head, my wolfish ears fighting for space as they conceded and hid flat on the sides of my face. After initial inspection the disguise had seemed complete, but a final test was needed to make sure.
I stood up straight, praying the suit held out past duress as I picked up a shattered hand mirror I had been holding onto and looked at the broken reflection in it. All of my body was hidden in the man's suit, almost as if I was my old self again. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the irony of it all. I just stared at myself for a long time, wondering if the helmet on my head was the real disguise or the mask I've been wearing for so long underneath it. I closed my eyes, trying to let the bad thoughts wash away with hopeful optimism. I believed I could save us all, and dammit who else would dare tell me otherwise?
"It's time Chris... Let's go rewrite history!" I told myself as I walked out of my tent and made my way to the center of the camp, noticing that everyone was busily preparing themselves for the fight as well. I stopped by the medical tent and picked up several pills and vials of what was available in the way of painkillers and adrenaline. I couldn't play this one safe; all measures had to be insured so I know that even should I fail, I know I died giving it my all. I loaded up what I could in additional armaments and worked my way over to the podium that lay in the middle of all the commotion.
I removed my helmet and readied the microphone with a few taps of my paw to get the attention of the resistance. With a clearing of my throat, everyone turned around finally and huddled around the base of upon which I stood and stared at me, waiting for me to say something appropriate but I knew that no amount of words could prepare us for what we all know is coming up. I looked out at the thirty-seven or so soldiers that would help me get to where I need to, but it still in a way seemed like an impossible dream of mine, to really put an end to all of this chaos. I put my hand to my chest, trying to feel for my pulse in my nervousness. Everyone was standing by, patiently holding their attention as I struggled for the right words to say. If I was going to say something, I needed to do it now...
"My friends. My allies. My family. This has been a long road for us all, years of turmoil in fact, with many battles and just as many deaths. I'd love to just stand up here and tell you all that everything is going to be ok after all of this. The truth is though that even if we succeed, there is no guarantee that the world will ever go back to the way it was before all this mess. Back to before we all lost the biggest parts of what defines us as people. I see now though that the past is the past, it's stuck as it is. You can't fix that." In the back of my mind, I registered what I just said and felt a sharp pain in my heart. Maybe if I could've had such clairvoyance back then, none of this would have happened. I couldn't dwell on that now nevertheless. I had to stay focused. "However, we can fix our future and for the hope of all those other furries out there still hiding in the shadows we have to come out on top. I've never stood before a more determined crowd of individuals, all standing ready to accept what may come. Today is the day; no more waiting, no more reprieve. What we do now... Is what defines who we are in history. Our humanity is still ours, just hidden under layers of fur and feathers. Good luck to us all. Let's go take back our freedom!" I finished with a howl, all the other furs joining me in my chorus. It was almost haunting in its complexity; from wolves to bears to zebras we all joined in our song of sanctuary and all for a minute had nothing but hope in our souls.
I hoped off the podium, grabbed for the helmet and started my march for the convoys gearing up to head out. I think I can finally believe in tomorrow now. It's come years too late to finally understand, but that feeling of failure has all but dissipated and optimism mixed with faith is now what remains. "Mom... Dante... I do this not just for me, but in honor of you. For teaching me what it means to be a man, and reminding me that I still am one. I love you both so much. Lend me your strength now please." I thought to myself has the truck took off barreling down the road in the direction of the city of sensation, my old home, and our final destination...