The Visit

Sol stepped out of the car and onto the cracked asphalt of the Rutledge Asylum parking lot, the warm California sun a stark contrast to the foreboding structure before her. She hadn't visited her mom in a while, and the thought of spending a few days in the quiet, eerie town always brought mixed emotions. Her mom, Dr. LeRoux, was a psychologist at the asylum, and Sol had grown up hearing whispers about the strange patients and unsettling experiments that took place within those walls. As she walked towards the entrance, Sol's gaze drifted to the gardens surrounding the building. The carefully manicured lawns and vibrant flowers seemed to belie the darkness within. She took a deep breath, the scent of blooming jasmine and freshly cut grass filling her lungs, and pushed open the door. The interior was just as she'd remembered – sterile and clinical, with a hint of worn, institutional wear. Sol made her way to her mom's office, her eyes scanning the rows of doors with small windows, each one a portal to a world of madness and despair. She knocked on the doorframe, and her mom's warm voice bid her enter. Dr. LeRoux, a petite woman with curly brown hair and kind eyes, smiled as Sol hugged her. "It's great to see you, sweetie! I'm glad you could visit." Sol returned the smile, taking a seat in the chair opposite her mom's desk. They chatted about Sol's studies in Anthropology and Botany, and her mom listened intently, always interested in her daughter's passions. As they talked, Sol's gaze wandered to the notes on her mom's desk, and one patient in particular caught her eye – Alec Liddell, aka Alice. Sol's curiosity was piqued. She'd never heard of a patient by that name before. Her mom noticed her interest and leaned back in her chair. "Ah, Alice is a special case. He's...different. Androgynous, intelligent, and with a certain... aura about him." Sol raised an eyebrow. "Aura?" Her mom chuckled. "Yes, that's the only way to describe it. He's got an otherworldly quality that makes you want to know more about him. But be careful, Sol – he's not like other patients. His mind is... fluid, and I'm not sure what he's capable of." Sol's interest was now piqued. She had to see this Alec for herself. As her mom returned to her notes, Sol excused herself, claiming she needed to stretch her legs. She wandered the halls, searching for a glimpse of the enigmatic patient. It didn't take long to find him. Sol spotted Alec sitting in a quiet courtyard, surrounded by tall hedges and blooming flowers. He was staring at a book, his eyes fixed intently on the pages, his brow furrowed in concentration. Sol's heart skipped a beat as she took in his features – striking, androgynous, and utterly captivating. Alec looked up, sensing her presence, and their eyes met. Sol felt a jolt of electricity run through her veins, as if the air itself had come alive. She smiled, and Alec's gaze lingered on hers, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the world around them melting away. Sol felt like she was drowning in the depths of his eyes, and she couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay hidden behind that enigmatic smile. Then, Alec returned to his book, and Sol was left standing there, feeling like she'd been punched in the gut. She took a deep breath, trying to process the sudden rush of emotions. She had a feeling that this chance encounter would change everything.