AN - Why hello, there. Welcome to my first Fanfic in about 7 years. I originally started this story in middle school (the original version still exists), but now that I'm in college, I'm working to make this story a lot better than it used to be. Please excuse the first few chapters as they'll serve as the basic background to my character, but as the story progresses, it'll lead to everything else I have in mind. Feel free to leave reviews, I certainly appreciate them. If you'd like to read the original story - please search for the title Window to the Past.

Lucky Ducks orphanage was known to the locals as a way of keeping abandoned children off the street; to the children who resided in the grungy old building, it was possibly one of the most unluckiest places they could be. Lucky Ducks wasn't just any type of orphanage, it was an orphanage for "tough" cases, the children that were deemed unsuitable for society in one way or another. While a difficult place to be, the young men of Lucky Ducks were extremely lucky in terms of treatment. The young ladies, well, that was a different story.

Emily was always getting the worst of everything at Lucky Ducks – old uniforms, meant to make the children appear presentable, leftover food, and the more difficult and unwanted chores. It was often in Emily's favor to try and act as though she was never there, favoring books over the company of others.

Much to Emily's disgust, the particular rainy day the orphanage was having was the day the boys decided it would be appropriate to pick on her.

"'Ey, guys! Look! Emily's reading that stupid book again!" said a particularly ugly boy. "How many times 'ave you read that book, there?"

Emily lifted her hazel eyes from the book she was reading from her corner of the play room. "I've read it more times than the amount of words you know," she said sharply, immediately returning to her book. With any luck, she thought, they'll leave me alone if I act like I don't care.

"What was that you said?" asked another boy, approaching Emily slowly, his fists slowly balling up.

"Nothing, Scott. It's not like you wouldn't understand anyway. Brian can fend for himself, y'know," Emily stated calmly, bracing herself for the swing that usually came.

The boy named Scott started moving a bit faster in Emily's direction, his arm swinging back –

"Guess what, children?"

Emily flinched, not from the blow that never came, but rather from the shrilly voice that came from the doorway to her left. Mrs. Happerty, the fierce and gaudy manager of the orphanage wore an extremely pleased grin. Scott turned his head in her direction, his fist still poised to strike and a curious expression upon his face.

"You all get to go on a field trip to the aquarium today! Now get on the bus and get out of my sight." Happerty nearly jumped for joy at her announcement.

Scott looked at Emily and sneered, lowering his fist. He moved back towards Brian who was slower than a slug and gave him a shove towards the doors out of the orphanage. Neither boy refused to take their eyes off of the small girl, not wanting to be hit with a cheap shot.

With a sigh Emily shut the cover of her book and stood up. "Well, here goes nothing."