Ari watched the television in horror as tears streaked down her mother’s face. A short distance behind her, the camera caught a glimpse of her sister, Henley, now bald, her skin pale. Her hair that had once reminded Ari of the sunset was gone.

A reporter shoved a microphone into her mother’s face. “Would you like to comment in regard to the goings on of your daughter?”

Her mother’s mouth opened wide, along with her eyes. “My daughter is sick!” She motioned behind ...