Blurb：
Detective Jack Malone thought he was rescuing a victim—Subject 42, the silver-eyed woman known as Vesper—from a corrupt biotech lab. But when a tornado traps them underground, her experimental serum turns her into a weapon of heat and deception. As Jack uncovers a conspiracy within his own police force, he realizes Vesper is no victim—she’s the mastermind, and he’s her pawn. Torn between vengeance and redemption, Jack must confront the blurred lines between humanity and monstrosity in this pulse-pounding thriller. Dive into *Patient 42*, where desire and deception collide, and the most dangerous experiment is the human heart.
Content：
Detective Jack Malone stumbles into a nightmare when he raids an illegal biotech labonly to find a silver-eyed woman, Subject 42, caged like an animal. Her name is Vesper, her memories fragmented by drugs, her calm demeanor unsettling. As Jack rescues her, he uncovers a web of corruption that reaches his own police force. A sudden tornado forces them into an underground shelter, where Vespers body betrays her: injected with experimental serum, she burns with unnatural heat, and Jacks ethics shatter in the dark.
But salvation twists into betrayal. Jack discovers Vesper is no victimshes the architect of the experiments, and hes her chosen pawn. When she turns the tables, torturing him with his own guilt and the wreckage of his personal life, Jack must confront a harrowing truth: some monsters are made, not born. Their deadly dance culminates in a choicevengeance or redemptionthat will redefine justice, love, and the thin line between humanity and monstrosity.
*Patient 42* is a dark, pulse-pounding thriller where desire and deception collide, and the most dangerous experiment is the human heart.
Chapter 1 C Into the Pit
Dispatch, this is Sergeant Malone. Im at the location. Riverside warehouse, east wing. No movement topside.
*Static.*
Jack clicked off the radio. Figures.
The elevator moaned as it descendedrust grinding against rust. The shaft reeked of bleach, metal, and something worse.
He adjusted the grip on his sidearm. Better be rats.
The door opened with a reluctant hiss. Fluorescent lights flickered like failing memories. The basement was cold, white, surgical. Steel tables lined with syringes and blood?stained gauze. A kennel, bolted to the floor.
Inside, a woman. Barefoot. Skin smudged. Eyes silver.
Jack leveled his gun. Police. Dont move.
She didnt flinch. Youre late.
His finger twitched. Hands where I can see them.
Shackled, she said calmly, raising raw wrists. Try again.
He stepped closer. Whats your name?
She tilted her head. Do you need it to do your job?
Lady, I just pulled you out of a goddamn horror movie. Humor me.
A pause. They called me Subject Forty?Two. You can call me Vesper.
Jack narrowed his eyes. You injured?
No. But you might be. Theyll be back in she glanced at the far wall, three minutes. Resetting alarms.
He tapped his radio again. Dispatch, I need immediate backup. Possible hostage.
*Silence.*
Backups not coming, Vesper said. They cut the comms five minutes ago.
He didnt like her tone. Too steady.
Jack holstered the radio, unclicked his badge, and showed it. See this? That means youre safe now.
Define safe, she murmured.
He looked at the lock. Industrial-grade. Cover your ears.
He fired. Sparks flew. The door swung open with a groan.
Come on.
She didnt move. Youll need to carry me. They drugged my legs this morning.
He hesitated, then threw off his coat. Lets go.
He lifted her carefully. She was lighter than expected. Bones and calculation.
Which way? he asked.
Drainage tunnels. Left corridor.
You sure?
I memorized the schematics. Had time.
Jack didnt ask how. He just ran.
The tunnels stank of mold and rust. Vespers breath warmed his neck.
They were testing pheromones, she said, voice barely audible. Obedience compounds. Failed a few times.
He kept running. Save it for the report.
Theyll find you.
Then they can explain the cage. And the syringes. And the girl who knew when the alarm resets.
They wont explain, she said flatly. Theyll erase.
They burst into open air. Rain slapped his face like punishment. The sky rolled with thunder.
Jack shoved her into the cruisers passenger seat, slammed the door, and climbed in. He jammed the keys into the ignition.
Buckle up, he snapped.
She did.
As they sped down the wet road, she asked, Whats your name?
He glanced at her. Sergeant Malone.
No. The real one.
Jack.
She nodded slowly. Youre not like the others.
You dont know me.
I know enough. You didnt hesitate.
Im still deciding if that was a mistake.
She smiled faintly. It probably was.
Rain blurred the windshield. Sirens in the distance wailedand then abruptly stopped.
Jack tightened his grip on the wheel.
Theyre rerouting emergency services, Vesper said.
Great.
You have about fifteen minutes before a drone picks up your license plate.
Jack cursed. You some kind of hacker?
No. Just observant.
She winced. You have anything to drink?
Glovebox. Water bottle.
She sipped. Thanks.
He eyed her ID band again. SUBJECT 42. Skin discolored under it.
How long were you down there?
I stopped counting at sixty days.
Jesus.
Language, detective.
A car swerved in front of them. Jack honked.
She flinched. Sound hurts.
He turned off the siren. Sorry.
You keep apologizing. Thats unusual.
Dont read into it.
Too late.
He pulled into a truck stop and parked near the restrooms.
Can you walk?
Barely.
He helped her out. Her legs shook.
Wait here, he said. Ill check the restrooms.
Jack?
He turned.
She stared at him. Why did you really come down there?
He paused. Anonymous tip. Said the lab was trafficking bio?weapons.
Not people?
Didnt say.
She nodded. I see.
Jack sighed. You can rest for five minutes. Then we go to the precinct.
You wont make it.
Well see.
As she leaned against the wall, she said quietly, Youre kinder than the others.
Doesnt mean Im stupid.
No, she said. But kindness is a liability. Just so you know.
He looked at her, unsure what he saw.
Then thunder cracked againand a new storm surged on the horizon.
Chapter 2 C Caged Sympathy
Jack tightened the zip ties around her wrists, looping them with cloth from the first-aid kit. Not regulation, but better than steel.
Vesper flexed her fingers. Restraints that dont bruise? How considerate.
Im not your enemy.
Yet.
He slid behind the wheel. Name. Age. Next of kin.
Vesper. Twenty-nine. Next of kin: incinerated.
Is that sarcasm or a confession?
Pick one.
Jack sighed. Subject Forty-Two, huh?
Catchy, isnt it? Very lab rat chic.
He tapped her ID band with his pen. Who gave you this?
Dr. Victor Dreyfus. He liked symmetry. I was forty-two. He died last week.
How?
Internal bleeding. Caused by a fire extinguisher. Unfortunate accident.
You killed him.
I was chained to a cot, she replied flatly. Maybe I used telekinesis.
Are you always like this?
Only when detoxing.
He glanced over. Your pupils are uneven. Could be a concussion.
Or a Catecholamine storm. Caused by sudden trauma, adrenal overload, and a faulty drip line.
Jack blinked. What?
Google it. Later.
He stared at her. Youre not a victim, are you?
Depends on your definition.
They passed a flashing road signTORNADO WARNING: SEEK SHELTER NOW.
Jacks phone buzzed with an emergency alert. He frowned. Perfect.
Wind rattled the side of the cruiser. Leaves swirled like birds gone mad.
He pulled off the highway. Were not outrunning this. Hold tight.
Where are we going?
Somewhere below ground.
Ironic, she muttered. Escaping captivity by returning to a hole.
He found a rusted Civil Defense shelter behind an old church. Pray later. Move now.
He unbuckled her, grabbed her by the arm, and sprinted toward the metal hatch. Wind howled behind them like a living beast.
Inside, the shelter was musty, lit by buzzing generator bulbs. Wooden pews. Dust. A first-aid box older than his badge.
Jack latched the door. Were safe. For now.
Vesper dropped onto a bench, shaking.
He knelt. Vitals.
She pushed his hand away. Its not sepsis.
You said storm. Youre burning up.
She closed her eyes. Estrous cascade.
What?
Another experiment. Hormonal reprogramming. It wasnt supposed to activate outside controlled environments.
Youre saying yourewhat, in heat?
Im saying, she panted, my veins feel like theyre melting. And if this keeps goingmy heart could arrest.
Jack stood. Im calling Dr. Chen. Shes biotech-certified.
Dont.
Shes qualified.
Shell notify the university. Theyll send a retrieval team. Id rather die here.
Im not letting you die.
You already did, she whispered. When you handed me that badge.
Jack paced. I need ice, or sedatives
No, she said sharply. Just help me breathe.
You want me to restrain you?
Her eyes locked on his. No. I want you to listen.
He hesitated, then sat beside her. Her breathing came faster, skin glistening.
Jack swallowed. Okay. Talk.
My bodys overriding logic. Thats what they made it do. Increase pheromone output. Heightened temperature. Compulsive desire.
And what are you asking me to do with that information?
Nothing, she said. Just dont run.
He stiffened. You think Id take advantage of you like that?
No, she whispered. I think youre already wondering if you will.
Lightning flashed. The shelter groaned.
Jack stood abruptly. Im going outside. I need air.
Youll be shredded.
Im not he stopped. Her hands trembled violently.
Help me, or leave me, she said. But dont pretend youre neutral.
The wind screamed above. Dust rained from the ceiling.
Jack stared at her. This isnt you. Its chemical.
She laughed weakly. Isnt everything?
Vesper
Her voice cracked. If I dont touch somethinganythingI think Ill burn alive.
His instincts screamed protocol. Ethics. Distance.
But he saw past her calminto the fear she couldnt mask.
She wasnt seducing him. She was unraveling.
Just hold on, he said softly.
He knelt, pressed his hand to her forehead. Her skin was fire.
Im right here.
She curled into him. You dont understand.
No, he murmured. I really dont.
Outside, the storm howled like judgment. Inside, his conscience began to fracture.
Chapter 3 C Storms Interruption
*BOOM.*
The shelter shook. Dust rained from the ceiling. Vesper gasped, curling tighter in Jacks arms.
He adjusted her position. Youre overheating. I need to lower your temp.
Too late, she rasped. Its not about temperature anymore.
Jack stood, tearing open the ancient emergency box. Ice packs, saline, anythingcome on
No ice, she murmured. Only you.
He froze. Vesper, listen to me. This isnt real. Its chemical. I wont touch you like that.
Her eyes snapped open. Im not asking for sex.
Jack blinked.
Im asking for contact, she said, voice shaking. I need grounding. Skin. Pressure. Not pleasure.
Youre sure?
She nodded, sweat dripping from her jaw. Please, Jack. Just hold me down.
He hesitated. Then slowly knelt, wrapping his arms around her from behind. Her back arched against his chest, muscles twitching.
She flinched as thunder cracked overhead. Noise hurts. Light hurts. Everything hurts.
Ive got you.
Her hands gripped his forearms. Why are you being kind?
Because Id want someone to do the same for me.
She exhaled shakily. Nobody ever did.
Minutes passed like hours. Her breath rasped. Her skin steamed.
Jack.
Yeah.
Its getting worse.
He adjusted her hospital gown, revealing deep red streaks along her spine. What the hell did they pump into you?
Modified estrogen analogs, oxytocin inducers, neural stimulants. Designed for behavioral conditioning.
He stared. You were supposed towhat? Obey?
Submit, she whispered. On command. But I fought it.
Is that whats happening now?
No. This is backlash. Like a system crash. No safeties.
She trembled violently, tears breaking loose. Im losing control.
He touched her cheek. Vesper.
Her eyes were wild. You need to restrain me.
I wont hurt you.
You might have to.
The floor groaned as wind slammed the steel door above.
Then came the smellsomething sharp, electric, hormonal. Jacks throat tightened.
Jesus, he muttered. What is that?
Pheromones. Weaponized. She looked at him through fever-glazed eyes. I warned you.
Jack stood, backing away. Youre broadcasting?
Yes.
Then I need to step outside.
Stormll kill you.
He cursed, pacing. You didnt do this on purpose.
I know.
But Im still affected. Thats the problem.
Then dont touch me, she said, curling into the bench. Let me die.
Not happening.
He stripped off his jacket and covered her. Well ride it out.
She shook her head. Youll lose your job for this.
I dont care.
Youll hate yourself.
I already do.
A pause. You didnt cheat on your fiance.
Jack turned slowly. How do you
You havent said her name once.
Thats not proof.
You carry guilt like a badge. But not that kind of guilt.
He sat beside her. Whats your story, Vesper?
She stared at the ceiling. I used to believe in science. In saving lives. Then I watched money decide who got saved.
And you volunteered for this?
I volunteered for the research. Not the cage.
Another silence.
Jack spoke low. You said they used you. But you also knew the schematics. The protocols. The names.
Information is survival.
He turned. And what exactly do you want to survive for?
I dont know yet, she said softly. But right now, its you.
He looked at herreally lookedand saw a woman trying to hold her mind together molecule by molecule.
A flicker of thunder turned into a deafening crack.
Vesper cried out and gripped his wrist. Dont let go.
I wont.
Even if I beg.
I said I wont.
She buried her face in his chest, skin blazing, pulse racing.
Then, almost inaudible: If I touch youwill you hate me?
No, he whispered. But I might hate myself.
The air between them tightened like wire. The storm roared.
And still, he didnt let go.
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