A/N: The entirity of this fic will be based upon an odd dream I had earlier in the week. I'm not really going to give the plot away but you will probably find it quite strange haha! It will mainly be based around Connie and Rita but not as I have ever written them before. Basically, Rita is a care kid and believes she is an orphan, and Connie is the head social worker in the care home. This fic will likely to be an insight into my crazy imagination!

~Mini Peacelet~


Smothered Shadows - Part 1

"Is it safe to come in?" The brunette peered guardedly around the edge of the door she had opened ajar. Deciphering that there were no objects being haphazardly tossed through the air, aimed at herself, she hesitantly entered and perched on the foot of the bed.

Rita was calm now. Her fiery temper had passed. "I understand that you are angry. The rules aren't just to infuriate you and the other residents; they are to ensure that you remain safe as well as educate you about responsibility and repercussions of negative behaviour."

The adolescent twitched her shoulders in the approximation of a shrug. She appeared to have lost interest in the party. Her thoughts were currently elsewhere. The accumulated rage that had fuelled her demeanour previously had faded. Replaced with tranquility and perhaps hints of forlorn misery.

"What were the names of my biological parents?" A feeble whisper broke the tension that hovered densely in the ambience as the older woman had patiently waited a reply. The girl tilted her head, diverting her sparkling eyes to lock with her guardians.

It was a question that Connie hadn't anticipated. Hands clasped together, she roughly ran her tongue over her lips and tentatively assembled a response. "Rita, they are dead. You know that. That information is irrelevant." Her austere, icy manner had been dropped; adopting a gentler level.

The leading social worker had never known Rita to be so calm and lethargic. It was extremely abnormal. Only a couple of hours ago had their latest dispute occurred downstairs. Although, she was vigilant that her mood could twist in a heartbeat.

'"For the last time, Rita! You are not going out to that party." The piercing roar of Connie's exasperated voice reverberated the entire hallway. The altercation between herself and her most challenging adolescent escalating.

"I always sincerely mean what I say. Every single child here is grounded following that food fight last night. And that includes you." With a pointed finger and solemn manner, the older female's lecture persisted.

The petite blonde shuffled, mentally considering prospects for an escape, "This is ridiculous!" An angry huff, "I wasn't even involved in that stupid food fight so why am I being punished?!"

"You were present." The care worker stated matter-of-factly, "Rules are rules, and if they are not obeyed then there will be consequences. Now, haven't you got some homework to complete? If not, them your room needs tidying." She pirouetted sharply in her trademark heels and strutted in direction of the living room.

"I hate this place!" Her fingers curled into tight fists as Rita ascended the generous stairway, feet stomping with attitude as she stormed into her room. The door slammed with a violent bang.

The teenager stalked bitterly across her room, hurling herself into the window seat. Dark orbs fixated on the thousands of delicate raindrops fluttering from the ominous clouds, rolling leisurely down the glass pane, her mind drifted to pressing thoughts. Her thoughts were often an intense jumble.'

"I know, but I still want to know." The teen persisted stubbornly, tone gradually strengthening, "I want to trace my biological family. Do I have brothers or sisters? Grandparents? Aunts, uncles and cousins?" She elaborated her justifications with clarity.

Lips pursed together, the social worker had certainly been captured unprepared for such a topic. "We cannot impart that material with you, it's confidential. You are not warranted to know until you leave this place as we have a duty of care and it is our job to protect you."

Rita scoffed turbulently, "That's a load of rubbish! Robyn and Max know who their parents are and are in contact with their mum!" With a bitter hiss, she huffed irritably. Her mood was rapidly adjusting, again.

"It's different!" Connie retorted briskly. The Rita Freeman she knew was swiftly returning.

"How?!"

"It just is and that is all you need to know. I am not going to give you the answer to that question so you may as well drop it." The cutting, authority in her tone wisely informed the girl that her prodding efforts would be pointless.

"Fine." Rita appeared to accept that answer with a muted sigh, "How did my parents die?" Her voice had lowered significantly, wavering with vulnerability. It was a sensitive subject. But it had been a question on her mind for ages.

The brunette treaded delicately; sympathetically. She briefly narrated a concise explanation that seemed to satisfy the fourteen year old who remained quiet and solitary. "Are you coming down for dinner?"

"I'm not hungry." She murmured and with that the adult departed. Her perplexity regarding the identity of her real parents remained present, not completely appreciating why it was such a great secret. The detail that they didn't want her to know just stimulated her ambition to find out. And she was determined she was going to, already thinking of a plan. If she couldn't attend the party then that didn't mean she would stay out of trouble.