The nursery seemed to shimmer in the dim light of the evening, a kaleidoscope of pastel shades that would only intensify the horror of what was to come. Molly adjusted her headband, a bright pink number that clashed with the muted tones of the decorations. "We need to blend in," she whispered, her voice steady despite the excitement coursing through her veins. Bill chewed on a pink rubber chicken, his eyes scanning the hall for any signs of security. "I've got it under control. Kids are too busy fighting over juice boxes to notice us." Molly's eyes landed on a garish balloon arch behind the snack table. "Ugh, that's going to be a distraction." She glanced around, spotting a pair of parents lingering near the entrance. "We need to move." "Right," Bill said, flicking a glance in the parents' direction. "Let's keep the focus on the cake. We can make a run for it while the parents are busy singing Happy Birthday." As they made their way down the aisle, Molly's eyes landed on a table heaping with gifts. "We need to move, Bill. Now." "Okay, okay, I see what you did there. 'It's a present-astic party'?" Bill deadpanned, earning a stifled giggle from Molly. The children's high-pitched chatter grew louder as they approached the birthday table. Molly and Bill exchanged a look, then crept closer, scanning the gifts for their mark. A shiny red convertible sports car, a dollhouse, and a trip to Disney World sat atop the table. Molly's eyes landed on the convertible. "Now we're talking." Bill snatched a handful of balloons and began to tie them off, creating a diversion as Molly swooped in for the car. She gently lifted the cardboard box off the present and began to empty its contents into a nearby sack. When she was done, she picked up the sports car and gave it a jaunty toss into the sack. "Timing is everything, folks," Bill declared, tossing a handful of party hats onto the floor and sending the children into a wild shriek. "While they're busy shrieking, we make our exit." As the mayhem swirled around them, Molly and Bill beat a hasty retreat, their sack brimming with stolen treasures. The party raged on back at the table, oblivious to the night's small score. "That was fun," Bill said, patting the sack as they vanished into the night. "We should do this again sometime." Molly shot him a look. "Not the kind that gets us caught, you mean?" she asked, eyes darting over her shoulder. Bill grinned. "Exactly that one." They moved swiftly through the streets, the party decorations a confused haze behind them. Their next score was always just around the corner, a sweet present-wrapped morsel waiting to be swiped under the cover of chaos.