Mia pressed her ear against the cold metal door of the science cupboard. She could hear a faint scratching sound from inside, like a mouse trapped behind the beakers and Bunsen burners. The cupboard was always locked during lunch, but today someone had left the key in the lock. Mia turned it slowly, feeling the mechanism click. She pulled the door open and gasped.

"What are you doing?" a voice whispered behind her. Mia spun around. Leo stood there, his eyes wide. "You're not supposed to be in there. Mr. Henderson will kill us."

"I heard something," Mia said. "Like an animal. It might be hurt."

"It's probably just a rat," Leo said, but he stepped closer. "Let me see." He peered into the dim cupboard. Shelves lined the walls, cluttered with old textbooks and dusty equipment. In the corner, a cardboard box rustled.

"See?" Mia said. "There's something in that box."

Leo reached in and lifted the flap. A small grey kitten blinked up at them, its fur matted and dirty. "How did a cat get in here?" he asked.

"Someone must have put it there," Mia said. "We have to get it out."

"We can't just take it," Leo said. "It's not ours."

"We can't leave it either," Mia replied. "It'll starve."

Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway. Mr. Henderson's voice called out, "Who's in the science room?" Mia's heart pounded. She grabbed the box and shoved it into Leo's hands. "Hide it," she hissed. Leo ducked behind the door as Mr. Henderson entered.

"Mia? What are you doing near the cupboard?" Mr. Henderson asked, frowning.

"I was just looking for a textbook," Mia said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I thought I left one in there."

Mr. Henderson glanced at the open cupboard. "The door was locked. How did you open it?"

"It was already unlocked," Mia said. "I didn't touch anything."

Mr. Henderson sighed. "Fine. But stay out of there. It's off-limits." He turned and walked away. When he was gone, Leo emerged from behind the door, holding the box. The kitten mewed softly.

"We need to get it out of the school," Mia said. "I know a place." She led Leo to the back gate, where a small gap in the fence opened onto the park. They slipped through and set the box down under a bush. The kitten poked its head out, then darted into the undergrowth.

"Do you think it'll be okay?" Leo asked.

"It's free," Mia said. "That's what matters."