Molly and Bill crouched behind a parked van, the streetlights casting long shadows over the quiet suburban street. Across the road, the house was adorned with colorful balloons and a giant "Happy Birthday" banner. Laughter and the squeals of children echoed from the backyard. "Are you sure about this, Bill?" Molly whispered, her eyes darting toward the house. "Relax, Mol," Bill replied, his gaze fixed on the action across the street. "It's simple. We slip in, grab the goods, and slip out. Kids won't even notice. Besides, it's practically a public service. More toys for us, less clutter for the parents." "Public service, huh?" Molly smirked, shaking her head. "How noble of us." "You got a better idea?" Bill shot back, his eyes narrowing. "I just think breaking into a kid's party is a bit low, even for us." "Low?" Bill chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Molly, we've swiped jewels from museums, art from galleries, and cash from banks. We're practically Robin Hoods of the modern age, minus the giving-to-the-poor part." "Yeah, and this time, we're stealing from children," she pointed out. "Children who are temporarily distracted by a bouncing castle and a magician," Bill corrected her, his hands making exaggerated gestures. "Come on, this is our easiest score yet. Look at them—they're practically swimming in presents." Molly sighed, her resolve wavering. "Fine. But if we get caught, I'm blaming you." "Fair enough," Bill conceded, offering her a sly grin. "Let's do this." They watched as a clown led the children inside for cake, leaving the backyard momentarily deserted. The sliding glass door leading to the patio was slightly ajar, just enough for a stealthy entry. "Okay," Molly said, her voice steady but her nerves tingling. "Here’s the plan. You grab the big stuff. I’ll stuff the smaller toys into my backpack." "Works for me," Bill agreed, his hands already reaching for the duffel bag slung over his shoulder. With a final nod, they dashed across the street, keeping low and using the shadows for cover. Molly slipped through the sliding door first, her eyes adjusting to the dim light inside. Bill followed, his taller frame making the maneuver a bit more awkward. "We've got five minutes, tops," Bill whispered, his breath warm against her ear. "Five minutes to grab everything we can carry," Molly added, already moving toward the nearest pile of gifts. "Starting now," Bill said, pulling a stocking cap over his head and winking at her. Molly rolled her eyes but couldn’t help a small smile as she started stuffing brightly wrapped packages into her backpack. Bill went straight for the larger items, the ones too big for Molly's bag—a shiny red tricycle, a massive teddy bear, and an intricately designed dollhouse. "Do we really need the dollhouse?" Molly asked, raising an eyebrow as Bill struggled to lift it. "It's a classic," Bill replied, panting slightly. "Every kid wants one. And it's vintage." Molly shook her head but kept working. They moved quickly and efficiently, their hands flying over the gifts, transferring them from the pile to their bags. Suddenly, a loud crash came from inside the house, followed by the sound of children cheering. "What was that?" Molly hissed, freezing in place. "Probably more party games," Bill said, but his eyes were wide with alarm. "Keep moving. We’re almost done." They worked faster, the weight of the stolen gifts becoming almost too much to carry. Finally, with their bags stuffed full, they made their way back to the sliding door. "Let's go," Bill said, glancing outside. "Coast is clear." As they stepped out onto the patio, Molly heard a soft whimper. She paused, her heart pounding in her chest. "What was that?" she asked, looking around frantically. Bill stopped too, his eyes scanning the backyard. "Didn’t see anything," he muttered. "Bill, I heard something," Molly insisted, her voice low and urgent. "We’re almost out of here, Mol. Let’s just—" But before he could finish, a small voice called out from the shadows, "Who's there?" Molly's heart sank as a little boy stepped into view, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "...