"My name is Carol, but I'd rather you call me Snowshoes. I live in a world full of anthropomorphic animals (as the humans say), and everything is paradise... Or, should be paradise... The government was overthrown by some uptight war general 12 years ago, and he turned it into a full blown dictatorship, where everyone's life is determined by their species. He's long dead now, but his angsty son has taken over the regime, and is determined to make sure he follows in his father's footsteps and maintain the "legacy", *(cough, cough).

Now of course, there are people who rebel against this punk kid and his racist system, but some people just don't care, and let the government do whatever it wants. Why, you ask? They happened to play the lottery right and get the life of their dreams. Some individuals got lucky and just happened to be born the right species for their style of life. One such person is my dad. He's livin' the dream on his precious ranch right now, and doesn't give a flip about anyone else. Now don't get me wrong, I'm happy that he's happy, but the love isn't reciprocated here. I want to be a pilot, and see the world, but the government says I'm supposed to tend to crops and stuff because it's "efficient". My dad doesn't care about this, he just wants to live the rancher's life and never lift a finger for anything else again.

We've begun to drift apart due to this. I can remember a time when I was younger, when my dad was happy working hard for what he wanted, my mom was happy with the marriage, and I was happy with my simple life. But now, everything's about "how wonderful the new system is", and "the government knows what's best". Bull s***, dad. What about your family? Have you asked mom? Have you asked me? Neither of us wants this life, but you don't know that because you're blinded by your stupid government ranch! You don't even actually own it! Everything you do is just to help Dictator Jr. climb ever higher up the ladder!

However, I've learned something interesting... The group of rebels have a enclave hidden in the mountains nearby, and they are silently working behind the scenes to bring the government down and return the world to its former glory. They accept anyone into the haven, regardless of species, or fur color, or body shape, or anything! The best part is, they need a pilot. I need to escape. I've dropped some hints to my mom that I'm leaving, but my dad doesn't know yet. We have an old biplane that we inherited from my grandfather, and I've been secretly practicing my route, but I don't know if I can actually slip away...

Once I actually get to the mountains, I'll be an outlaw from here on out. I might not see my family again, but I can't sit around and let everyone else's hopes and dreams be dashed by some racist jerk. I love you, dad... But this is something I have to do.