**Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter**

Sol stepped out of her car and onto the cracked asphalt of the Rutledge Asylum parking lot, the warm California sun a stark contrast to the eerie feeling that settled in the pit of her stomach. She hadn't been back to her hometown in months, but her mom's request to visit had been too enticing to resist. Dr. Liddell, a renowned psychologist, had been working at the asylum for years, and Sol often joked that her mom's patients were more interesting than her anthropology textbooks. As she walked toward the building, a gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass and something else – the sweet, acrid smell of cigarette smoke. Sol's eyes scanned the grounds, and her gaze landed on a figure sitting on a bench, puffing on a cigarette. He was a patient, judging by the hospital wristband, and there was something about him that caught Sol's attention. His name was Alec Liddell, and he was charming, with piercing blue eyes and an enigmatic smile. Sol's mom had mentioned him in passing, a particularly interesting case study, but Sol hadn't expected to meet him in person. As she approached, Alec looked up, and their eyes met. For a moment, Sol felt like she'd been punched in the gut. There was something disarming about his smile, something that made her feel like she was the only person in the world. "Hi," Sol said, trying to sound casual as she fell onto the bench beside him. "I'm Sol, Dr. Liddell's daughter." Alec nodded, exhaling a plume of smoke into the air. "Alec Liddell. Nice to meet you, Sol." Their conversation flowed easily, like they'd known each other for years. Sol found herself drawn to Alec's quirky humor and the way he seemed to listen to her, really listen. As they talked, she noticed the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, and the way his dark hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. It wasn't like Sol to be so... open with strangers. She was introverted, preferring to observe and listen before contributing to a conversation. But there was something about Alec that put her at ease, something that made her feel like she could be herself around him. As they chatted, Sol's thoughts drifted to her studies in anthropology and botany. She was fascinated by the way cultures and environments intersected, and how they shaped our perceptions of reality. Alec's enigmatic smile lingered in her mind, and she found herself wondering what his story was, what had brought him to this place. Before she knew it, they'd been talking for over an hour. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the asylum grounds. Sol stood up, reluctantly ending their conversation. "It was great meeting you, Alec," she said, smiling down at him. Alec's eyes sparkled as he smiled back. "Likewise, Sol. Maybe I'll see you around?" Sol nodded, feeling a spark of curiosity ignite within her. She had a feeling that she'd be seeing a lot more of Alec Liddell in the future. As she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling that their chance encounter was only the beginning of a much larger adventure. Little did she know, their meeting would be the catalyst for a journey down the rabbit hole, into a world of madness and wonder.