Chapter 3: A Visit to the Asylum

Sol stood outside the imposing structure of Rutledge Asylum, her heart beating slightly faster as she contemplated the visit ahead. She had spent the past few days researching the asylum's history and Alec's background, and her curiosity was now at an all-time high. As she took a deep breath and pushed open the heavy wooden door, she was greeted by the sterile smell of disinfectant and the soft hum of fluorescent lights. The receptionist, a friendly woman with a warm smile, checked Sol's ID and escorted her to the visitors' room. Sol waited for a few minutes before her mom, Dr. LeRoux, arrived with Alec in tow. Alec looked a bit more disheveled than he had during their first meeting, but his bright blue eyes sparkled as he caught sight of Sol. "Ah, Sol, lovely to see you again," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of mischief. "I trust you're not here to interrogate me with more questions?" Sol smiled, feeling at ease with Alec's quick wit. "Not too many, I promise," she said, as she took a seat across from him. "But I do want to talk to you more about your...adventures." Alec's eyes glinted with amusement. "Oh? And what makes you think I've had any adventures, my dear Sol?" Sol leaned forward, her eyes locked on his. "My mom mentioned that you've been having some...unusual experiences. And I've done some research on the asylum's history. I think there might be a connection between the two." Alec's expression turned thoughtful, and he leaned back in his chair. "I see," he said, his voice low and measured. "And what do you think you've discovered, Sol?" Sol hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But Alec's intelligent gaze put her at ease, and she found herself pouring out her research, from the mysterious disappearances in the 19th century to the cryptic mention of an "Alice Liddell" in the asylum's records. As she spoke, Alec's eyes grew wider, and his face took on a faraway look. Sol sensed that she had touched on something important, something that resonated deep within him. "Ah, yes," Alec said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The rabbit hole. I've been trying to remember, to piece together what happened. But it's like trying to grasp a handful of sand – the more I try, the more it slips away." Sol's heart went out to him, and she reached out to place a hand on his arm. "I'm here to help, Alec," she said, her voice soft. "We'll figure it out together." Alec's gaze snapped back to hers, and for a moment, Sol felt like she was drowning in the depths of his eyes. "Thank you, Sol," he said, his voice low and sincere. "That means more to me than you can ever know." As they talked, Sol noticed that Alec seemed more lucid, more himself, than she had seen him before. It was as if talking to her had brought him a sense of calm, of clarity. But as the visit drew to a close, Sol sensed a darkness lurking beneath the surface, a sense of unease that threatened to engulf Alec at any moment. She knew that she had to be careful, to tread gently around the fragile edges of his sanity. As she left the asylum, Sol felt a sense of determination. She was going to help Alec, no matter what it took. And she was going to uncover the secrets of Rutledge Asylum, secrets that seemed to be hidden in plain sight.