The Duck Test

Kieran trudged along beside Ellie, his eyes fixed on the ground as she led him through the streets. He had no idea where they were going, but he knew it wouldn't be anywhere he wanted to be. Ellie's stride was long and confident, her black tights-clad legs eating up the distance as she walked. As they turned a corner, Kieran caught sight of a small park up ahead. Ellie seemed to sense his curiosity, and she smiled to herself as she steered him towards the park. "Today, Kieran, we're going to try something new," she said, her voice dripping with excitement. "We're going to test your obedience, your willingness to do as I say, no matter how ridiculous it may seem." Kieran felt a surge of trepidation as Ellie stopped in front of a small pond in the park. There were a few people strolling around, but it was relatively quiet. "What's the test?" Kieran asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Ellie smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I want you to waddle like a duck," she said, her voice firm and commanding. "I want you to walk around the pond, quacking and flapping your arms like a duck. And I want you to do it in those shoes." Kieran's eyes followed Ellie's gaze to a pair of oversized, novelty shoes that were sitting on a bench. They were bright orange and had webbed toes, and Kieran felt a surge of embarrassment as he realized what Ellie was asking him to do. "Please, Ellie, don't make me do this," Kieran begged, his voice shaking. But Ellie just laughed, her eyes cold and unforgiving. "You have to, Kieran," she said, her voice firm. "You're my foot slave, and you'll do as I say. Now, get into the shoes and start waddling." Kieran hesitated, feeling a surge of anger and resentment. But he knew that resisting Ellie would only make things worse, so he reluctantly picked up the shoes and began to put them on. As he stood up, Ellie laughed again, her eyes glinting with amusement. "You look ridiculous, Kieran," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Now, go ahead and show me your duck impression." Kieran took a deep breath and began to waddle around the pond, his arms flapping wildly as he quacked loudly. He felt like a total idiot, but he knew that he had to do it if he wanted to avoid Ellie's wrath. As he waddled, Kieran couldn't help but notice the looks he was getting from the people in the park. Some of them were laughing and pointing, while others looked on in confusion. Kieran felt his face burning with embarrassment, but he kept on waddling, determined to get through this humiliation. Ellie watched him with a critical eye, her expression unreadable. But as Kieran finished his circuit of the pond and waddled back to her, she smiled, her eyes glinting with approval. "Well done, Kieran," she said, her voice firm and commanding. "You've passed the duck test. For now, you're still my foot slave." Kieran felt a surge of relief, mixed with a sense of despair. He knew that he would have to do many more humiliating tasks like this one, all to satisfy Ellie's cruel whims. But for now, he just nodded meekly and followed Ellie out of the park, his oversized shoes making him feel like a total fool.