You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension: a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas; you've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone.

Time. One of the abstractions of the universe. Once thought to be as constant as a river flowing straight through reality, conforming that vegetation of space as it passes through. But the mystery recoils rather than unravels as time seems to go more hand in hand with the cosmic unknown than as its own entity. Time. So could it be taken in bunches, could it be taken in slow drips from that fragile faucet that is life? Can it be prolonged with years held in the hand, simply a single dose away? Dr. Douglass Thadean, colleague of Dr. Raymond Gordon, pondered upon these questions even after Dr. Gordon had retired experimentation because of the mishap with his brother. His manipulation of the fabric of the universe not only draws him to the familiar yet mysterious place between dimensions, but his actions and desires will also draw in four unsuspecting women along with him, this story's main victims of fate. Their decisions are what lead them into the Twilight Zone.

The gears whined and sneered in a pill factory in Mexico, just as the gears grinded in Dr. Thadean's secretive mind. He had not told the workers his motives on why he only wanted a small bottle of pills made with a powder he brought, but he felt that information did not need to be given. He had money. After all, he was a wealthy man at the top of the economic ladder. Twenty five dollars and fifty cents an hour in American currency given to each worker in this small group was mere pocket change, but it seemed sufficient enough to assuage any doubts the workers might have. He surveyed his surroundings. It was a small factory. More like a shack in his mind. An abandoned shack. The gears were rusted, the roof that housed the underdeveloped machinery looked as though it would collapse at any moment. A twinge of fear ebbed at Thadean's mind, but he shook it off casually. No matter, he thought. I am only using this abandoned place to make these pills and then I am on my way to becoming a wealthy tycoon. Of course, he would have to change his identification. Stealing the serum was a risky move, but he felt as though it were being wasted. Such potential, wasted merely because one experiment did not go as planned. Raymond's brother… Harvey? Hubert?... whatever his name, is alright, isn't he? Not dead, not severely disfigured, but alive. Just not exactly what we were hoping for. The whole ordeal replayed in his mind.

When Raymond shut down the research when no cure seemed evident, I did not quit. The remaining serum was destroyed, but I–– being the clever man that I am–– "sympathized" with that fool and "promised" to shred the formulas. But I didn't. I recreated it. It took me a while to get it right, but I did it. Ten years back a pill. Perfect. Not too much, not too little. Just right. Increments in decades will most definitely entice the public. Of course, I could have perfected it more, but Raymond had to ruin everything when he found that the formula sheets were still intact. The little weasel. Snooping through my things…Why can't he see just how extraordinary this beauty is? We could have been exceedingly rich together! I know he was always a bit envious of his brother's wealth. This was his chance to outshine him. To outdo the whole world!... Well, it doesn't matter now. I had to flee here to this place to see my work actually pay off. I'm surprised there's even a factory here. Old and abandoned, but still a factory… Hmm.

Thoughts of the past, how he would continue to live his life, and just about everything in between filled his mind, his eyes glazed over a bit as he stared into some seemingly invisible portal in which to view these thoughts in reality. His left hand rested on his lower back while his right held his chin as he pondered the unknown. His brow furrowed and the last remnants of hair he had on his head wavered a bit as he teetered slightly on his heels, the environment sounds and details fading away from him as he gathered his thoughts.

[…]

The workers did not know what to make of the strange American, but they were grateful for the money and did not inquire of their temporary boss' motives. As far as he had told them, they believed that they were creating prototypes of a new medicine, but it was top secret, so the company Thadean represented decided to do their operations quietly in a forgotten place. It all seemed slightly suspicious, though, but maybe it was true. American society was different after all. They all had worked in the factory prior to it being shut down (the last corporation did not supply enough funds), so virtually the whole village was out of work. But today seemed like an amazing opportunity to help demolish the economic hardship they had faced for so long!

One girl, twenty two year old Xeveria Montoya, could not shake the feeling that something was not right. The man seemed generous, but something about him… something about his demeanor. She observed him quietly as the other workers continued with the pill making process. The man made strange faces as he just stared out at nothing. She could not help but be slightly curious. She made her way over to where he stood and asked, "Señor… hay algo mas?"

Thadean's eyes darted down at the four foot, ten inch girl, his thoughts instantly forgotten. He scowled. "Don't speak that gibberish to me! Talk normal! Use English!"

Xeveria's jaw tightened and her eyes slightly narrowed. Normal? The man obviously did not have respect. It was not that she did not understand English, it was simply easier to speak in Spanish. But she complied with the demand and spoke in her best English. "I ask" she began, trying to still be as polite as possible to this man, "if you are all right".

"I don't have time for pleasantries!" Thadean snapped back. "Return to your work or you won't get paid!"

Xeveria was taken aback by the man's demeanor and hesitantly went back to packing the pills in the bottles. What else could she do? She was going to leave for America soon to live with an uncle in California. She had just enough money to get there, but she wanted to support herself on her own. That obviously required more money. An opportunity like this would not just pop up in front of her again, so she had to do as she was told. Just until the end of the day.