Chapter 4 – Clary and Jace's Experience with Ducks.
'I cannot believe I am doing this!' The golden boy exclaimed as he followed the fiery girl in front of him.
'Well, you better believe it, because it's happening.' She called over her shoulder, 'Did you get the bread?'
'I'm sure they prefer poultry pie.' He grumbled.
'What was that? Jace you promised!' She yelled as she stopped and whirled around to face him since he was a few feet away she didn't hit him.
'Yes, I'm keeping my promise aren't I? Clary?' He sighed. In reply Clary grabbed his hand and pulled him after her.
'No. you are purposely walking as slow as you can. At least fake some enthusiasm.'
'Sure thing!' Jace overly faked cheerfulness.
'Good to hear it!' Clary shouted back.
As they neared the pond, Jace's unwillingness grew. He tried to slow down but the tenacious girl always kept her pace, practically dragging him with her. Soon they were at the muddy water's edge. Jace gulped loudly – though, there seemed to be a lack of fluffy assassins.
'Where are all the duckies?' Clary mumbled to herself.
'In hell, getting orders from their leader, a huge monstrous duck.' Jace was quick to inform her, she glared at him.
'Duckies! Fluffy, fluffy ducks! Where are you?' she called out, much to Jace's protests. Faintly they heard the quacks as ducks swam from around the little island in the middle of the lake. 'We have bread for you!' Clary called.
'No! Clary. They will devour you! So small, you don't have a chance!' Jace yelled his eyes wide wit terror as he tried to get away, but Clary's iron grip on his hand made him stay. That was when a small fluffy white duck swam around the rocks. Jace made a noise of terror
'Oh come on! Jace, it's just one little duckie.' Clary said as she broke a bit of bread off and feed the lone duck. It quacked as it gulped down the food, 'Here, have some.' She passed a slice of bread to the petrified boy beside her. His face was drained of colour, as he crouched down at the edge, slowly offer the duck the bread and it quacked making him jump. Clary crouched next to him and steadied his shaking hand, 'It's okay, it won't hurt you. I won't let it.' The girl murmured reassuringly, trying to ease his fear. Gradually he broke off a small bit of bread and threw it to the duck, it gobbled it cheerfully – if ducks can be said to be cheerful. Gaining confidence Jace feed the duck the rest of the slice. He beamed at Clary reminding her of a young child who was proud of a painting.
That's when it happened.
It was almost as if the duck sensed his fear and then comfort and quacked loudly like a signal. Soon an army of ducks, geese and a few swans appeared from behind the island floating menacingly. Seeing the bread they rushed forward, hissing and quaking. An angry mod of feathers and beaks. Clary and Jace froze in horror, taking in the feathery armada approaching rapidly. One hissed at Clary snapping Jace into reality, he jumped throwing the bread packet at the ducks and pulling Clary to her feet before both of them took off, sprinting. Fleeing from the Battle of the Bread. They arrived back at the picnic blanket panting, face's pale with fear at the ordeal.
'I take it back.' Clary panted, 'Ducks are scary!'
W/M: Little Fluffy Assassins.
Actually there is a phobia like this:
Anatidaephobia - the fear of somehow, somewhere a duck is watching you
