Anatidaephobia

“The rubber duck has got to go, Michael,” Amy stated while conversing on the phone with her husband. “You didn’t get the article I sent? Those things hold bacteria forever, a kid almost lost an eye,” she offered in response to Michael’s cool tone.

“Okay, Mikey, let’s get you out of there,” she said while removing her four year old from his bath.

Mikey had become attached to the duck. “Duckie! Duckie!” He screamed.

Amy was over Mikey’s petulance tonight. She went to retrieve the duck for him but he completely ignored it. Amy had enough.

Mikey had grown bored with playing alone so he began to wander. He ran into Duckie right outside of his room. “Hi, Duckie,” Mikey laughed. “Hi, Mikey,” Duckie responded. Mikey was stunned. “Duckie talks?” Mikey ran over to Duckie and picked him up. “Shhh, mommy doesn’t like Duckie,” Duckie whispered, “Mommy said ‘duckies are for bad boys.’” Mikey frowned, “But I’m not a bad boy.” “Then hide me. We don’t want to upset mommy,” Duckie instructed. Thus, Mikey did. 

Mikey was playing with the family cat, Kitty, when he heard something. Squeeeaaak. He turned with a jolt. “Hi, Mikey,” said Duckie. Mikey couldn’t believe his eyes. How was Duckie here if Mikey hid him, himself? “Who’s that you’re playing with?” Duckie asked with aggression. “K…Ki…Kitty,” Mikey stuttered. “You can’t play with Kitty,” Duckie angrily retorted, “Kitties are for bad boys.” This enraged Mikey. “No, duckies are for bad boys,” and with that statement he took Duckie and placed him in the trash can.

Amy tucked Mikey into bed with Kitty at his side. “Goodnight,” she said while turning off the light and closing the door. 

Just as Mikey shut his eyes, the light came back on. He sat up to see Duckie sitting on the bedroom floor. Mikey shut his eyes again and whispered, “No more Duckie! No more Duckie!” When he opened his eyes, Duckie was gone and the lights were out.

Mikey didn’t want to close his eyes again out of fear that Duckie was watching him. It seemed that Duckie was always watching. However, Mikey was never good at fighting his sleep. His eyes closed. 

The light flicked on again. Mikey hesitated, then opened his eyes. Duckie was now seated on Mikey’s chest. 

Mikey closed his eyes again. The light went out. Mikey began to feel a pool of wetness enclosing around him. 

Outside his room, Mikey could hear his parents talking. “It’s the funniest thing,” Amy said in between laughter, “I was talking for the duck.” Mikey could hear his father chuckling. “Had him so scared, he threw the thing in the trash,” the laughter grew. 

“Mommy tricked me,” Mikey’s eyes shot open with relief. The light was still off and there was no Duckie. Just a lifeless Kitty draped across him in a pool of blood. Squeeeaaak. He heard the voice of Duckie, “See, Mikey, kitties are for bad boys."