Chapter 117 - Past II
The next morning, Karl woke up earlier than usual. The noise from the apartment hallway had been going on since dawn, signaling that some residents were already preparing for the meeting in the lobby. Layla was still fast asleep under her thick blanket, while Jane sat in the corner of the room, half-awake, hugging her knees.
Karl opened his Uncommon Storage, pulling out a few canned goods and a pack of dry bread. He carefully examined the remaining supplies before closing it again. He had enough food to last for weeks, but he knew giving away a small portion wouldn’t hurt.
"Are you sure you want to go?" Jane broke the silence, raising an eyebrow at Karl. "I still think this is a bad idea."
Karl nodded as he packed the food into a small bag. "If things get worse, we’ll need allies. This isn’t just about food; it’s about surviving together."
Jane let out a long sigh. "Fine, Karl. But don’t expect me to step in if it all goes south."
Layla shifted in her sleep but didn’t wake up. Karl made sure her blanket was snug before heading out of the apartment. The hallway was busier than usual. Some residents were walking by, carrying plastic bags or small boxes. Most avoided eye contact, as if they didn’t want anyone to see what they were carrying.
When Karl arrived at the lobby, the room was already filled with residents. Among them, Julia was busy helping Maria organize the items piling up on the central table. Julia’s face lit up with a warm smile when she saw Karl enter, though her tired eyes betrayed her exhaustion.
"Karl!" Julia greeted cheerfully. "You made it. I knew you’d come through."
Karl nodded, returning her smile. "I brought a little food. It’s not much, but I hope it helps."
Julia took the bag and placed it on the table with the other contributions. "Thank you. This is more than enough."
In another corner of the room, Evelyn stood with her arms crossed, her sharp gaze scanning the room. There was no hint of friendliness in her expression. When her eyes met Karl’s, she raised an eyebrow slightly, as if questioning his presence.