Run: 2026-02-16-01KHK18E14S63EWTGKY5P6BD2D

Molly peered through the binoculars at the suburban house illuminated by colorful string lights. She lowered the glasses and tapped the dashboard. Is the perimeter clear? Bill asked. It is worse than clear. It is a trap. There are bounce houses everywhere. Bounce houses are good cover. You jump over them easily. You cannot jump over an inflatable castle, Bill. It is physics. Bill unfolded a napkin with a floor plan drawn in crayon. The security system is basic. Motion sensors on the windows only. What about the guardians? Molly asked. Two adults. One is wearing a hat that says Best Dad. He looks tired. Tired means sloppy. We go in at cake time. Everyone sings. Distraction is maximum. We are stealing from children. She wiped grease from her cheek. We are redistributing wealth. Those Lego sets are taxed heavily at the store. They are wrapped in paper with dinosaurs on it. You cannot fence dinosaur paper. We take the boxes only. We leave the wrapping. That doubles our exit time. What about the big items? Bill asked. No bikes. Too loud. We take the handheld consoles. High value, low volume. Exactly. Risk versus reward. Did you bring the tranquilizers? Molly opened the glove box and revealed a water pistol. Only for the parents. What about the kids? We tell them we are the entertainment. The Magician and his Assistant. I am not wearing a top hat. You wear the vest. I wear the hat. This is insane. We could hit a bank. Banks have lasers. Kids have juice boxes. Bill leaned forward. Think about the logistics. No alarms trigger until morning when the parents see the empty space under the tree. By then we are in Mexico. Exactly. We sell the consoles in Cancun. Molly sighed and checked her watch. What is the signal? When the clown blows the whistle. That is the signal to run. No, that is the signal to engage. I am engaging my legs in the opposite direction. She grabbed the door handle. Wait. I forgot the bag. What bag? The sack. Santa style. It is thematic. You want to break into a house dressed as Santa to rob a seven-year-old? It is psychological warfare. They expect gifts. They get emptiness. Molly stared at him. You are a monster. I am a professional. Hand me the sack. Molly tossed a burlap bag from the back seat. It smelled like potatoes. It smelled like potential. He opened the van door. Ready? Molly checked the water pistol again. If I see a pony, I am leaving. No ponies on the list. Good. Let us go steal some toys. Bill stepped out into the night. Do not shoot the clown. Only if he shoots first. He has a balloon animal sword. That is a weapon. Just get the loot. Molly stepped out beside him. I hate children. They love you. You have a warm face. My face is cold. Like my heart. Then why did you bring the water pistol? For hydration. Bill laughed. Let us move. They crept toward the lawn. Wait, Bill whispered. What now? I hear music. It is Baby Shark. God help us. Move faster. They reached the hedge. Ready to breach? Ready. Go.