Chapter 116: Chapter 116: I Am Staying

"Julia, are you functional?"

Just being asked that made her head hurt more. "No, my eyes, my head is - "

When she came to again, she could see the doctor hover over her through a hazy fog. He held something silver over her and moved it up and down her body.

"You're wasting your time. The problem's the alien technology in my head." Behind the doctor, she saw Zurian. His figure blurred, but she'd recognize that wide-legged stance even if she saw only shadows. "What happened?"

"Your implant malfunctioned," Zurian said.

She groaned and clutched her head with both hands. "The pain is going to drive me crazy." She glared at them through her all-over-the-place hair. "Take it out. I told you not to mess with my brain. Take it out right now."

She wanted to shout at him but couldn't speak above much more than a whisper. She moved restlessly. Her whole body ached and, anytime now, her head would burst apart and put her out of her misery in an act of mercy.