Run: 2026-03-18-01KM096W5FJ2ZJQCW64DP10SHB

Molly and Bill crouched behind the hedge outside Mrs. Pemberton’s garden, watching balloons bob like smug little spies over the fence. Inside, a tinny playlist of pirate songs drifted through the warm air, along with the shrieks of delighted children and the occasional crackle of a paper crown being crushed underfoot. Bill adjusted his black gloves. “We really doing this?” Molly peered through the slats in the gate. “We’re retrieving assets.” “Assets wrapped in penguins and dinosaurs,” Bill said. “That’s still stealing presents from children.” “Children,” Molly whispered, “are famously terrible at security.” As if on cue, a small boy in a captain’s hat raced past the window clutching a juice box, leaving the side gate propped open with a plastic shovel. Molly smiled with professional admiration. “See? Amateur hour.” Bill winced. “You brought the sack?” “I brought two sacks.” “Why?” “In case they’ve got books.” They slipped through the gate, past a tower of cupcakes, and into the chaos of streamers and sugar. The presents waited beneath a banner that read HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NINA, sparkling like a treasure hoard. Bill swallowed. “Last chance,” he murmured. Molly cracked her knuckles. “For what?” “To become very bad people in front of a clown.”