Bill peered through the scope of his binoculars at the house across the street. "Molly, the coast is clear. No sign of any guards or security cameras." He lowered the binoculars and turned to face his partner-in-crime. Molly adjusted her black cat-burglar suit, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Excellent. Let's get moving then. We don't have much time before the party starts." The two thieves crept through the shadows, making their way towards the house. As they reached the back door, Bill fished out a set of lock-picks from his pocket. "Piece of cake," he whispered, as he set to work on the lock. Molly looked around nervously. "Hurry up, Bill. I don't like being out in the open like this." "Almost there," Bill muttered, concentrating on the delicate task at hand. Finally, with a soft click, the door swung open. They slipped inside and found themselves in a large kitchen. The smell of freshly baked cookies filled the air, and colorful balloons were tied to the chairs. "This is going to be easier than we thought," Molly whispered. Bill nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "The presents should be in the living room. Let's move." They made their way through the kitchen and into the living room, where a large pile of beautifully wrapped gifts sat under a gleaming Christmas tree. "Jackpot," Molly breathed. Bill grinned. "Let's grab as many as we can and get out of here before anyone notices." They quickly began stuffing the presents into their backpacks. As they were about to make their escape, a sudden burst of laughter from upstairs made them freeze. "What was that?" Molly hissed. Bill's eyes widened. "It sounds like...children." Panic rising in her chest, Molly grabbed Bill's arm. "We have to get out of here, now!" "But the presents..." Bill protested. "Forget the presents, Bill! We're thieves, not child-abductors!" Bill reluctantly agreed, and they hurried back to the kitchen, where they had left the back door ajar. Just as they were about to slip out, the sound of footsteps on the stairs made them halt in their tracks. Molly and Bill exchanged a terrified glance. "Quick, hide!" Molly whispered, thrusting Bill into a nearby closet and following him in. They pressed themselves against the back wall of the closet, holding their breaths as the footsteps grew closer. The door swung open, and a group of children burst into the kitchen, chattering excitedly. Molly and Bill stared at each other in horror as they realized their hiding spot had been a terrible mistake. They were now trapped in the closet with no way out. As the children began searching the kitchen for cookies and drinks, Molly and Bill quietly slid to the floor, trying not to panic. They could hear the adults upstairs, laughing and talking, oblivious to the thieves hiding in their closet. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the children left the kitchen, and the sound of footsteps on the stairs faded away. Molly and Bill let out a collective sigh of relief and cautiously opened the closet door. "That was too close," Molly whispered. Bill nodded, his face pale. "We'd better get out of here before anyone else comes downstairs." Molly agreed, and they silently made their way back to the back door. As they slipped out into the cool night air, they turned to look at the house one last time. "Well, that was a disaster," Bill muttered. Molly nodded. "At least we didn't get caught." As they disappeared into the darkness, they vowed never to attempt another heist at a children's party again.