A Chance Encounter

Sol stepped out of her car and onto the winding driveway of Rutledge Asylum, the warm California sun beating down on her caramel skin. She had visited her mom, Dr. LeRoux, here many times before, but today felt different. Perhaps it was the unusual sense of restlessness that had been building inside her, or maybe it was the nagging feeling that something was about to change. Her mom, a psychologist at the asylum, had invited her to lunch, and Sol had agreed, hoping to shake off the monotony of her studies. As she entered the asylum, Sol was greeted by the sterile smell of disinfectant and the soft hum of fluorescent lights. Her mom was waiting for her in the staff room, a warm smile on her face. "Hey, sweetie! I'm glad you could make it. I have a bit of a break between sessions." Sol hugged her mom, noticing a patient sitting in the corner of the room. He was a young man with an unruly mop of blond hair and an air of eccentricity about him. There was something captivating about his bright blue eyes, which sparkled with mischief as he caught her gaze. "Who's your new friend, Mom?" Sol asked, curiosity getting the better of her. Dr. LeRoux's expression turned cautious. "This is Alice Liddell, but he prefers to be called Alec. He's a patient here, struggling with...sanity issues." Alec stood up, his movements fluid and almost theatrical. "Delighted to make your acquaintance, Sol," he said, his voice low and smooth, with a hint of British accent. "I must say, your mother is a brilliant psychologist. She's helping me unravel the tangled threads of my mind." Sol felt a jolt of intrigue as she shook Alec's hand. His grip was firm, and his eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. There was something disarming about him, something that made her want to know more. As they chatted, Sol discovered that Alec was an intelligent, witty, and charming young man, with a passion for literature and a quicksilver sense of humor. Despite his fragile mental state, he exuded a sense of vitality and curiosity that drew her in. Dr. LeRoux intervened, tactfully suggesting that Sol and her mom grab lunch in the cafeteria. As they walked out of the staff room, Sol caught Alec's eye, and he mouthed, "The absurdity begins." Sol raised an eyebrow, wondering what he meant, but before she could ask, her mom steered her toward the cafeteria. As they ate, Sol found herself thinking about Alec, wondering what had brought him to this place, and what lay behind his captivating smile. The encounter had left her with more questions than answers, but Sol couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to intersect with Alec's in unexpected ways. Little did she know that their chance meeting was only the beginning of a fantastical journey down the rabbit hole, into a world where sanity was a luxury, and wonder was the only constant.