“And that’s it for today’s class, make sure you have the paper on theoretical wormholes ready by our next session.”

Tom exhaled, the excruciating class was finally over. He dismissed his nap and stretched his arms wide while yawning exaggeratedly, completely oblivious of the professor’s approach.

“Tom, I need help with an unofficial project. You’ll get $400 by simply carrying equipments around and observing the sensors, are you free tonight? Just come by my place at 8 and make sure this stays under the table alright? ”. The professor inquired, his eyes flashed in interest.

Tom jerked, retrieving his outstretched arms and a raising an eyebrow. “Whats the catch?” He asked the obvious. No one in their right mind would pay $400 for a humble ta, even for a private project, unless it was something horrific, illegal, or perhaps both.

“You have the look of a prisoner about to be executed, relax! Its just a simple theory I’m trying to prove. While completely harmless, I haven’t exactly got the legal procedures in yet. You know how long those things can take.” The professor shrugged and gave a hyena smile, emitting a faint sinister aura.

Tom hesitated, but eventually nodded. These “projects” that he had helped was more or less unconventional, almost borderline mythological. As ridiculous as they maybe, he seemed to come out from most of them unscathed, and the prof was paying well. He needed money, any amount will do. He needed to quench the unending thirst that was his student dept, if only by just a little at a time.

The professor recruited two more students before leaving.

##

Headlights landed on the rusty doors of a seemingly abandoned building, darkness engulfed its twisted windows. Large cracks coiled around its walls, the whole place looked as if it could fall apart at the slightest push of a gentle breeze.

Tom opened and closed the crackling doors slowly, hoping the surrounding neighbors would ignore the shady, mad scientist-like experiments they were going to conduct. He entered the doors leading to the basement, his casual manner betrayed the numerous times he had done it before.

Unlike the rest of the old, crumbling building, the basement was sparklingly clear. White luminescence light bounced off its pristine, shiny walls. The professor was instructing his two classmates on how to operate the monitors that were overflowing with text. Seeing Tom’s arrival, the professor quickly guided him to the contraption.

He gaped, in front of him stood two arch-like structures, each the size of a door. Sparks of electricity ran between them shortly before a loud bang resounded, bathing the room in white light. A thin, crystal veil flickered between the two arcs, forming a glowing gate.

“Its beautiful, isn’t it? I call it the Gate Between Worlds. I had successfully reproduced the effects of ...blah...blah” The professor chirped excitedly.

Tom nodded absentmindedly, still entranced by the majestic scene.

“You see, I have succeeded in transferring many objects, from tiny rocks to small live creatures like squirrels and dogs. But I don’t know whether the experiment is a success.” He paused, his eyes glazed. “I’ve been thinking for a long time now, even if I were to submit this...creation. The society will likely tear it down, only keeping its blueprint until a long time in the future and reassemble it when it's fear has subsided. I will be arrested, they will take my toys away. You see, science is why I live, without it, I am but an empty shell. I can hide this away in the depths of obscurity. But I cannot neglect my duty as a scientist and not report this astounding discovery! Therefore, I have decided to leave the reporting duty to you, my loyal students, while I myself will see the other side of this gate!”. He declared loudly. his voice hysterical as he started walking towards the portal.

Terrified, the three students froze, staring at the mad figure of the professor stumbling towards hell’s gate.

The gate suddenly exploded, expanding into a glowing yellow sphere, it started sucking on the surroundings like a black hole. The professor tripped and started sliding towards the hungry sphere, he grabbed and held onto a loose fluttering cable.

Tom was not so lucky, however, as he was flown directly towards the thing. With nothing to grab on, he could only close his eyes and muttered in relief. At least I no longer have to pay my student debt.