Chapter Eleven: Jessica Jones

Like Matt Murdock, the Daredevil, Jessica Jones was once just an ordinary person.

During a family trip, her father became distracted while driving, and their car collided headlong with a military truck loaded with radioactive chemicals. Everyone present was exposed to the radiation. In the end, only Jessica survived. She was sent to the hospital and fell into a coma.

When she awoke, she discovered the radiation had granted her flight and powers far beyond those of normal humans. Realizing she could use her abilities for good, she donned a costume and became the superhero known as Jewel.

Later, Jessica encountered a villain called the Purple Man—Zebediah Kilgrave—who possessed the ability to control minds. He used his powers to imprison Jessica, subjecting her to both physical and psychological torment.

The trauma of being controlled by the Purple Man left Jessica with severe post-traumatic stress disorder. She began to drink heavily and, using her powers, opened a private detective agency under an alias, becoming a private investigator.

Eventually, for various reasons, she would team up with Matt, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist to form a superhero group called The Defenders.

But for now, due to her lingering trauma, Jessica was still the hard-living, reckless private investigator, freely using her powers to handle cases that would be nearly impossible for ordinary people.

The car owner, Spheres, stared in terror at Jessica as she lifted his vehicle. “Are you a mutant? I’m warning you—if you lay a finger on me, I’ll tell everyone what you’ve done!”

Jessica sneered, tossed a summons into Spheres’ face, and snapped a careless photo. “Shut up, Spheres. Do you really think anyone would believe a word you say? Take the summons—you’ll spend less on this lawsuit than you do on hair transplants.”

“People would sooner believe you’re insane than think I could lift your car, or melt your insides with laser eyes. Believe me, there wouldn’t be a trace left.”

Her blatant threat had its intended effect—Spheres was thoroughly intimidated. Jessica smiled with satisfaction and turned to leave.

Just as she was about to exit the alley, a voice sounded from the shadows.

“Don’t you think that was a little reckless?”

“Who’s there?” Jessica’s brows knitted as she quickly looked toward the source of the voice.

Beneath the flickering neon lights, two figures appeared in the corner. One was tall and upright, dressed in black with half his face masked; the other looked like a student—an Asian boy.

The pairing was so unusual it seemed out of place no matter how you looked at it.

Glancing at the direction Spheres had gone, Zhongyan Gu shook his head. “Few people would believe what Spheres says. But as long as one person does, it could spell trouble for you. You’re only putting yourself in danger.”

Jessica eyed Zhongyan Gu oddly, surprised by such mature words coming from an Asian boy so young.

Still, she sensed no malice in him. She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not a mutant, and I have nothing to hide. No one’s going to pay attention to me.”

“Including Kilgrave?” Zhongyan Gu said.

At that name, Jessica’s pupils contracted, and the color drained from her face. She tensed, assuming a defensive posture, like a wounded animal—her entire body radiating vigilance.

“How do you know that name?”

Watching Jessica struggle to control herself, Zhongyan Gu sighed inwardly. Clearly, the Purple Man had left her deeply scarred.

“Expecto Patronum!”

With a gentle command, silvery light flowed from his fingertips, forming a delicate leaf that drifted softly to Jessica’s side.

The tiny leaf seemed fragile enough to be carried off by a breeze, yet as it circled Jessica, she felt enveloped in warmth and safety, as though she were cradled in her mother’s womb.

The terror in her heart melted away like winter snow under a summer sun.

Since escaping the Purple Man’s control, this was the first time Jessica had felt so light and free—the constant oppression, restraint, and confinement vanished as if they had never existed.

Staring in awe at the miraculous scene, Jessica’s eyes widened. She looked at Zhongyan Gu in disbelief.

“What did you do?”

“What did you do?” Jessica and Matt spoke in unison.

Matt couldn’t see the Patronus itself, but with his super hearing he sensed Jessica’s heart, which had been pounding with fear, suddenly calm.

Clearly, Zhongyan Gu had done something.

“Nothing—just a spell,” Zhongyan Gu replied with a shrug.

As he expected, the Patronus Charm could ease Jessica’s trauma.

After all, the Patronus is a force of positivity, embodying hope, happiness, and the will to live—it’s why it can repel Dementors, creatures of darkness.

Similarly, Jessica’s trauma was essentially a wound inflicted by negative forces on her spirit; the Patronus naturally had its effect.

“Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Shawn Gu. I’m a wizard. This is my ally, Matt Murdock. Right now, we’re fighting a demon called the Beast.”

“But with only the two of us, our strength is far too thin.”

“Miss Jones, you possess extraordinary gifts. I hope your power can aid us.”

“As thanks, I can help resolve the trouble that’s haunted you for so long. I think I needn’t offer any further proof,” Zhongyan Gu said, gesturing to the Patronus circling Jessica.

“Wizard? Demon?”

Like Matt, Jessica’s first instinct was to think he was joking.

But, seeing the silvery leaf floating before her, she swallowed her words.

She didn’t know whether this luminous bud was magic or some incomprehensible advanced technology, but it brought her a peace unlike anything she had ever felt.

It was the first time since that ordeal that she had felt so at ease.

She looked at Zhongyan Gu, paused, then spoke. “What do you need me to do?”

Zhongyan Gu smiled in satisfaction and handed her a business card.

“Veles Taxi Company? You want me to investigate this taxi company?” Jessica asked.

“I just need you to take a couple of photos,” Zhongyan Gu replied.

“This place is a taxi company in name only. In reality, it’s the front for a Russian mob operation.”