Free Wonder Never (The Fairytale Diaries #2) by Amanda Gatton

needed help.
    Without a second thought, she dashed out the front door into the torrent of rain.

Chapter 13
    I t only took Julienne seven minutes before she pounded the pavement of Forest Way, the street where Java Enchantica was located. She sprinted the whole way, ignoring the mud splashing up her legs as she raced through puddles and oblivious to the fearsome lightning strikes nipping at her heels. Her eyes darted every which way as she thought of only one thing; looking out for her father.
    Her plan was to go straight to her boss, Tom Fontaine, confess her abusive situation, and beg for help. He was a kind man and a father himself. She trusted him and knew he'd help and protect her.
    However, just as she neared the diner, she saw Alice pop out of the trees up the street and start running toward her.
    Julienne gasped. She hadn’t expected to see Alice out in the storm. But seeing her friend flooded her with relief. She changed her course from the direction of Java Enchantica and ran to Alice instead. Her footsteps slowed and the two friends came face to face.
    Julienne dissolved into hysterical tears. Alice opened her arms so that Julienne could fall into them, broken and afraid.
    "What in the world happened to you?" Alice exclaimed when they finally parted. Standing there in the still pouring rain, Alice carefully examined Julienne's wounds.
    "M… My father did this to me," she admitted in a shrill wail. Alice's face looked as stormy as the sky. "Come on," Julienne continued. "Let's get inside, I'm telling my boss. I know he'll help me."
    "Julienne, wait!" Alice cried as Julienne turned to walk away.
    In her highly agitated state, Julienne returned her attention to Alice, looked her full in the face, and somehow didn't notice the odd girl remained completely dry despite sheets of rain.
    "Your father might be looking for you! He could find you there. You can't go in there!"
    Julienne frowned. "Well, it's OK though. My boss will help me. Please, come with me. Isn't that where you were going anyway?"
    "Can he though? Can he help you if your father comes and simply drags you out? After all, you are his minor daughter. Your boss has no authority to keep you from him. Why, if your father arrived before the police did, there's no telling what awful things could happen."
    Julienne's wails began to pick up intensity once again and Alice hurriedly gave her another hug. "Shhh, it's OK! Don't cry! I can help you, my friend."
    "You can? How?"
    Alice stared deeply into Julienne's eyes. "I will take you to my home. I can promise you; PROMISE you, your father will never hurt you again."
    Julienne felt the overwhelming sense of relief again. She hadn't even considered the prospect of her father confronting her boss and she didn't want to endanger anybody else. She believed in Alice's promise.
    Unfortunately, she didn't realize that Alice had promised she'd be safe from her father… Which wasn't necessarily the same as being safe in general. Not the same at all.
    The pounding rain, along with the extreme emotions swirling in her aching head and heart, plus the electric sense of urgency all worked together to provoke Julienne to comply with whatever Alice suggested. She nodded tearfully at her friend. Alice gave her a beaming, relieved smile, took her hand, and led her running toward the trees.
    ***
    Together the girls burst into the lush foliage of the dark woods. Julienne still didn't give thought to what she was doing. She raced forward to the rapid rhythm of her heart.
    As they covered ground quickly and migrated further away from civilization, the torrential downpour finally began to wane. It slowed to an occasional drizzle. Julienne and Alice slowed as well until they were simply strolling. The world quieted dramatically with the absence of the wind and rain, allowing Julienne to hear every odd sound of the night. A chill settled in her bones and with an unsettling feeling creeping in, her senses returned to her.
    "Alice? Where are