**Curiosity Piqued**

Sol couldn't shake off the image of Alec's bright blue eyes and charming smile as she drove back to her apartment. She had always been drawn to intelligent and quirky people, and Alec seemed to fit the bill perfectly. As she pondered their conversation, she found herself wondering about his story and the strange occurrences at Rutledge Asylum. Her curiosity got the better of her, and Sol decided to do some research on the asylum's history and Alec's background. She spent the rest of the afternoon browsing through online archives and academic papers, but there was surprisingly little information available about Alec or his condition. Sol's anthropology background told her that sometimes, the most fascinating stories were hidden in plain sight, and she suspected that Alec's story was no exception. She made a mental note to ask her mom more about Alec during their next conversation. As she delved deeper into her research, Sol stumbled upon an obscure article about the asylum's history, mentioning a series of unexplained events and mysterious disappearances in the 19th century. The article hinted at a connection between the asylum's past and the strange occurrences that had been happening recently. Sol's eyes widened as she read the article, her mind racing with possibilities. Could there be a connection between the asylum's dark past and Alec's condition? She felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized that she might be onto something. The next morning, Sol decided to visit the local library, hoping to find more information about the asylum's history. As she browsed through dusty tomes and yellowed newspapers, she stumbled upon a cryptic mention of a patient named "Alice Liddell" who had been admitted to the asylum in the late 19th century. Sol's eyes narrowed as she read the article, her mind making connections between the past and present. Could Alec be a descendant of the original Alice Liddell, or was this just a coincidence? As she continued to research, Sol began to piece together a fragmented narrative about Alec's past and the asylum's dark history. She discovered that Alec's family had a long history of mental health issues, and that his ancestors had been treated at the asylum. Sol's findings only raised more questions, but she was determined to get to the bottom of Alec's story. She felt a sense of excitement and trepidation as she realized that she was getting close to something. As the sun began to set, Sol closed her laptop and leaned back in her chair, her eyes fixed on the phone. She hesitated for a moment before picking it up and dialing her mom's number. "Hey, Mom," Sol said, trying to sound casual. "I was wondering if I could visit Alec again. I want to ask him some more questions." Dr. LeRoux's voice was cautious on the other end of the line. "Sol, I'm not sure that's a good idea. Alec's condition is fragile, and I don't want you to get too close." Sol felt a pang of disappointment, but she knew her mom was only trying to protect her. "I understand, Mom. But I think I might have found something that could help Alec. Can I at least try to talk to him?" There was a pause on the other end of the line before Dr. LeRoux responded. "Okay, Sol. But be careful, and don't push him too hard." Sol smiled, feeling a sense of determination. She was going to get to the bottom of Alec's story, no matter what it took.