"Fraction of a Second"

As they sprinted across the room, the laser beams seemed to close in around them, their paths intersecting in a dizzying dance of light and shadow. Kaito's heart was racing, his mind focused solely on finding a way out. He could feel Asher's hand trembling in his, and he knew they had to move faster. The countdown timer ticked down, 5... 4... 3... Kaito's eyes scanned the room, searching for a clear path to the door. He spotted a narrow window of opportunity and yanked Asher in that direction, dodging a laser beam by mere inches. As they approached the door, Asher suddenly jerked to a stop, his eyes fixed on something behind Kaito. Kaito followed his gaze and saw the stray cat, cowering in the corner, its eyes wide with fear. Without hesitation, Asher veered off course, grabbing the cat in a swift motion and tucking it under his arm. The cat let out a startled meow as Asher sprinted towards the door, Kaito right behind him. The laser beams seemed to be getting closer, their paths converging in a deadly pattern. Kaito could feel the heat emanating from the beams, and he knew they were running out of time. The countdown timer hit 1... and then it was zero. The room was silent for a fraction of a second, and then the metal door slid open with a hiss, revealing a brightly lit corridor beyond. Kaito and Asher burst through the doorway, the cat still clutched in Asher's arms. As they emerged into the corridor, they were greeted by the cool, calm air of a well-ventilated space. Kaito took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. They'd made it out alive. Asher turned to him, his eyes shining with tears. "I couldn't leave it behind," he said, his voice trembling. Kaito smiled, pulling Asher into a tight hug. "I'm glad you didn't," he said, glancing down at the cat, which was now purring contentedly in Asher's arms. The cat looked up at Kaito, its eyes gleaming with a newfound intelligence, as if it knew it owed its life to Asher's quick thinking. Kaito chuckled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the stray animal. Together, the three of them - Kaito, Asher, and the cat - set off down the corridor, unsure of what lay ahead, but grateful to be alive.