Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY9GBA6FZ667E267H3CVTFC

The neon glow of the party balloon arch pulsed like a drunk firefly outside the window, its reflection dancing across the sticky floor of Molly’s apartment. She balanced a half-eaten cupcake on her knee, the frosting smeared in a way that suggested she’d been using it as a stress ball. Bill leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his tie already loosened despite the fact that he’d never worn one before tonight. “So,” he said, “the kid’s name is Timmy, right? And his parents think he’s the next Einstein because he can recite the periodic table?” Molly wiped frosting off her chin with the back of her hand. “Timmy’s got the brain of a goldfish and the attention span of a squirrel on espresso. But his parents? They’ve got the wallet of a lottery winner who just found out it’s rigged.” She tossed a crumpled flyer onto the table—*Timmy’s 5th Birthday Bash: All the Toys, All the Cake, All the Chaos (Probably)*—and grinned. “We hit at midnight, when the parents are too drunk to notice us slipping in like ghosts. Or at least like very loud, very sweaty ghosts.” Bill adjusted his imaginary tie. “And the security? The guy in the stupid hat who thinks he’s James Bond?” “Oh, he’s *definitely* James Bond,” Molly said, popping the last bite of cupcake into her mouth. “But he’s also the guy who once mistook a squirrel for a burglar. We’ll just… *distract* him. Maybe offer him a ‘free’ cupcake. See how that goes.” Bill sighed, rubbing his temples. “I still don’t like it. What if we get caught?” Molly stood, dusting flour off her jeans—though she hadn’t baked anything. “Then we’ll tell them we’re the *real* parents, and Timmy’s just a very confused foster kid. Works every time.” She grabbed a duffel bag from the closet, its contents jingling ominously. “Besides, have you *seen* the prize list? A Nerf gun that shoots *lasers*, a robot that dances, and a *giant* Lego set of a spaceship that’s basically a cardboard box with wheels. This isn’t stealing—it’s *art theft*.” Bill groaned. “You’re evil.” Molly grinned. “And you love me.” She tossed him a key fob. “Now let’s go make some magic. Or at least some *very* loud magic.”