The Farmer and The Rich-Boy

Chapter Eleven

Sips' Point Of View-

We hurry to the park and skid to a halt when we see them. Ridge, Bebop, Lying and Kirin. I realise with a chilling jolt that Kirin is holding Strife in a vice-like grip. Parv is slumped under a tree, a trail of blood down the side of his head. Ridge holds his phone.

"Ah, I knew it wouldn't take you two long to show up, the valiant heroes you are." Ridge grins, his eyes filled with malice, "Now, I'm sure you know why you're here-"

"No, we fucking don't." I snarl and Sjin touches my arm in a warning.

Ridge just laughs, "Feisty today, are we?" He walks slowly back and forth in front of everyone, "Now, let me explain why you two are here. You-" He points at me, his eyes suddenly hard, his smile gone, "You messed with my sister. And no one messes with my sister. No. One." He glances over his should and I see Holly, stood back from everyone and seeming to be attempting to sink into the background.

"And you," He talks to Sjin now, "Are the reason why. If you hadn't have got in the way then everything would be fine and she would be happy." He takes a step forward and I push Sjin slightly behind me.

"Leave him alone, it's not his fault. And what do Parv and Strife have to do with this?"

"Wellllllll..." His smirk is back and he walks back a few paces, "One- I needed to get you out here somehow. Two- Lying here-" He smacks the back of his head, a bit too hard to be friendly, "Is a very close friend of Kirin's. And Kirin said he would so kindly help me if he could do what he wanted to him." He jerks his thumb towards Parv and Will struggles in Kirin's arms.

"Well Ridge..." I say, swallowing but glancing at Sjin and hardening my resolve, "What do you want?"

His arrogant face fills with glee, "For you to make Holly happy."

I look at the scared girl and watch as Ridge beckons her forward, "And what does Holly want?"

Everyone seems to turn expectantly to Holly and she glances nervously at Ridge who nods encouragingly, "I- Um... I want..."

"Go on, Holly, say it."

"I- I want..."

"Come on, just say it!" He snaps.

"I want all this to stop!" She exclaims and he looks shocked, his composure and plan steadily falling away.

"But... I thought... Holly, I did this for you!"

She shakes her head, "You didn't ask me what I wanted! I said Sips looked nice and you twisted my words and- and started all this shit!"

"But... But you didn't-" He protests weakly.

"You told me 'Even if he doesn't act like he enjoys it, he does. Just keep- keep forcing him, it'll be fine.' It's not fine though! You think I don't understand things like this but you  don't understand! I don't need you to dictate my life!"

Ridge at least has the grace to look ashamed, his bottom lip quivering, "I'm not that controlling, I was just trying to help..."

She looks close to tears as she continues, "You're so controlling! You have to say something about everything I do. 'Don't join this club, it's for sissies, don't hang out with those people, they aren't cool enough.'"

"I didn't..." He scratches the back of his neck, "I'm just trying to protect you... I want you to be happy..."

"Then let everyone go and leave them alone." She stares evenly at him, their golden brown eyes near identical shades.