Chapter 129
As Karl leaned against the counter, savoring the rare moment of peace, the tranquility was shattered by a loud crash from the hallway. It sounded like someone had kicked a door open, followed by angry shouting that grew louder with every passing second.
"What now?" Karl muttered, his shoulders slumping as the noise disrupted his brief reprieve.
Jane and Layla exchanged worried glances before looking at Karl. Jane tilted her head toward the door. "You better check that out. Sounds like someone’s about to tear the place apart."
Karl sighed, grabbing his jacket and heading toward the source of the commotion. As he stepped out into the dimly lit corridor, he was greeted by a chaotic scene.
Evelyn’s husband was grappling with Julia’s husband, both of them snarling and swearing like rabid animals. The two men were large and burly, their faces contorted in rage, and to Karl, they both embodied the "Ugly Bastard" trope he couldn’t stand. Evelyn’s husband had a thick neck and a beer belly that jiggled with every movement, while Julia’s husband had greasy hair and a permanent sneer etched onto his face.
"What the hell is going on?" Karl called out, though his voice was drowned out by the yelling and crashing.
He pushed his way through a small group of neighbors who had gathered to watch the fight. The two men were locked in a vicious struggle, fists flying and curses filling the air. Furniture was overturned, and the hallway was quickly becoming a mess.
"Stop it, both of you!" Karl shouted, stepping closer.
Neither man paid him any attention. Evelyn’s husband landed a solid punch to Julia’s husband’s jaw, sending the latter stumbling back into the wall. Julia’s husband recovered quickly, pulling a knife out of his jacket and lunging forward with a wild swing.
"Shit!" Karl cursed, rushing forward.
The knife caught Evelyn’s husband in the side, and he let out a guttural roar of pain. Blood seeped through his shirt as he clutched the wound, but he didn’t go down. Instead, he tackled Julia’s husband, slamming him into the ground with a thud.