Nina was terrified and upset. She'd never imagined that her wings as arms could mean something so horrible as turning into an actual black swan. It seemed like a cruel joke being played on her and she was absolutely bereft.

But that feeling gave way to shock as she saw someone with her own face staring back at her. How was it possible? She'd always been an only child as far as she knew, but mommy had always told her to throw a dart at a map of the United States and there her blood father might be.

She'd heard of cloning, of course, but never thought it would be real.

So Nina lowered herself in what she hoped was a non-threatening gesture and honked despondently. Could a swan look pathetic? Because she certainly did.