**Chapter 1: A Visit to the Asylum**

Ayres "Sol" stepped out of her car and onto the cracked asphalt of the Rutledge Asylum's parking lot. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the buildings, giving the place an eerie feel. She hadn't been here in a while, not since her mom, Dr. LeRoux, had started working as a psychologist at the asylum. Sol had always been curious about her mom's work, but she'd never really had a chance to explore the place. As she walked towards the main building, Sol adjusted her bag, which was slung over her shoulder. She was carrying a small pack of her favorite snacks, a few books on anthropology, and a pocket-sized guide to California botany. Her studies at university had been keeping her busy, but she was on summer break now, and her mom had invited her to visit. Sol pushed open the door and was immediately hit with the sterile smell of the asylum. She made her way to the reception desk, where a friendly nurse greeted her. "Hey, Sol! Your mom is expecting you. She's got a session with one of her patients right now, but she said to wait in the visitors' room." Sol nodded and headed to the room indicated. She sat down, pulling out one of her books to pass the time. As she flipped through the pages, she heard the sound of murmured voices and footsteps outside. The door opened, and her mom walked in, followed by a tall, dark-haired young man with piercing blue eyes. "Hey, sweetie!" her mom said, giving Sol a warm hug. "I didn't expect you to get here so soon. This is Alec, one of my patients. Alec, this is my daughter, Ayres." Alec's gaze locked onto Sol's, and she felt a sudden jolt of electricity. There was something about him that seemed...off. Not in a bad way, exactly. More like he was a puzzle she couldn't quite solve. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and Sol's heart skipped a beat. As they exchanged pleasantries, Sol couldn't help but notice the way Alec's eyes sparkled with amusement. He seemed to be holding back a joke, and she found herself wanting to hear it. Her mom excused herself, leaving Sol alone with Alec. "So, what brings you to this lovely place?" Sol asked, trying to sound casual. Alec leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "Just trying to get my head sorted out, I suppose. It's a long story." Sol raised an eyebrow. "I'm all ears." Alec chuckled, and the sound sent shivers down her spine. "I think I'd rather not bore you with the details just yet. But I will say this: Wonderland is a lot more complicated than it seems." Sol's curiosity was piqued. "Wonderland?" Alec's smile grew wider. "You wouldn't understand. You're not...familiar with the place, I assume?" Sol shook her head, feeling a strange connection to this enigmatic stranger. "No, I don't think so. But I'm always up for a good story." Alec's eyes glinted with mischief. "Perhaps another time, then." As they sat there, Sol felt a growing sense of attraction to Alec. It was as if she was drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. She couldn't quite explain it, but she knew she wanted to spend more time with him, to unravel the mystery that seemed to surround him. The sound of her mom's voice calling her name broke the spell. "Sol, I'm running a bit behind schedule. Can I catch up with you later?" Sol nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. "Yeah, no problem, Mom. I'll just head out and grab some coffee or something." As she stood up to leave, Alec's eyes met hers, and she felt that jolt of electricity again. She knew she'd be thinking about him long after she left the asylum. And she had a feeling that this was only the beginning of a very strange and wonderful adventure.