十月二十九日，距離萬聖節還有兩天，也是我和Mia從酒店返回Solihull的凶宅後的第二日。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBmzlBWn3i
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaluLuV792
為了安全起見，Mia和我在家裡形影不離，白晝一同出門到市中心的超級市場買食材，在咖啡店喝杯咖啡，晚餐後安坐在客廳的梳化上，搭著毛毯看電影，看累了便一同回去睡房，睡在同一個被窩中。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh7s3yBikX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNbELLUygm
我們甚至會陪伴對方去廁所，一起洗澡浸浴，就像一對熱戀情侶。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6ZsWLuVhL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx6Qj2bdkR
當然了，即使睡在一起也不代表我們有進一步的親密行為。畢竟這間屋裡還有一對鬼母子。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIUa1QdSS0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJXwFD3qWf
但出乎我們預料的是，回到家後到現在為止，再沒有怪事發生⋯⋯如果撇開凌晨時份偶爾聽到腳步聲和對話聲不計。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfltmTR59Ze
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTWZKXC9gw
樂觀地想，至少我們並沒有送命。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjHmsRtxv2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHkv0MX2jV
縱然無法理解箇中原因，但偉恩說得無錯，現在待在家中反而最安全。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLgEmIFGPd
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYodo8hYfCW
我和Mia一度以為這場噩夢已經成為過去，佯裝若無其事地生活，待事情掉淡後再另覓居所。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PkhWjRCu4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQeqzlBqQD
Ella曾經說過萬聖節是陰間和人間重疊的時刻，有點像所謂的鬼門關大開。既然有開門時間，那麼應該有關門的時間吧？204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgOecUWUBO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJqcWXx5X4
那麼，只要我們捱過萬聖節都平安無事的話，那對鬼母子應該就會放過我們吧？204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM30S1qhDj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF5dN69lg0
終於我和Mia心裡有了計劃，拖到萬聖節結束然後搬出去，展開只屬於我們兩人的新生活。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vdjJMUHAX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkpWkZStd8
「總之暫時咩都唔好諗，我哋好好放假。」我在咖啡店捱著她的手說道。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjj3KwOowY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfj0zw45FP
一切都很美好，直至今天我和Mia散步回來，在家門外的直路遇到鄰居大叔Tim。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIm34Ktj1B
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oZ7tlGwLG
風鈴再次被風響了。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPLK82iUNk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LcRLiNTJx
Mia忽然問道：「Steven，你住嘅呢條街唔算多人慶祝萬聖節。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0YXKUIgNt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQFobzq9Et
我停下腳步回望兩旁的住宅，留意到奇怪之處。英國擺節日裝飾很常見，在網上都會看到誇張得很的佈置，譬如說南瓜燈、燈串、骷髏骨頭和蜘蛛網。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4GKUgpsaR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxH363cR7a
像去年的萬聖節我跟了酒吧認識的獨居女生回家，她的屋外泊了一部假的警車，圍了圍封的膠帶，室外和睡房的地板都用粉筆劃了人形圖案，佈置成謀殺案的事故現場。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeaoLuv8Sx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4ZXfPNCfW
「殺死我！」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpHLXYQk4c
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOazWVMTmu
「再快啲！再快啲！我要死喇！」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyKsVOfTLg
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhSPS5ssH7
那一次我扮演變態殺人狂，而那個女生一晚死了三次，荒唐的畫面至今記憶猶新。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqAa1UWzwI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIZTr2Qba0
但，我的性經驗不是重點。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T4TxzNpZg
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakdfHjoeoG
重點是佈置。我們經過的住宅能分成「有佈置」和「完全沒有佈置」兩派，兩者中間沒有灰色地帶。吊詭的是，我認出有萬聖節佈置的都是搬進來不長時間的居民，至於那些彷彿忘了萬聖節存在的民居都是跟Tim一樣，住了超過二十年以上的老居民。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVYvoLiy1H
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy5MONMs4l
「可能舊居民冇慶祝節日嘅習慣？」我不怎確定地對Mia解釋。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3sWTkhCrj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME4ytMxGa9
這時候，Tim的聲音在我們不遠處的草地響起。
這時候，Tim的聲音在我們不遠處的草地響起。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC18uby6d7L
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYX80IZmux
「大家只係唔慶祝萬聖節。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxyeUIo75K
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5C8bp6DCY
轉頭一瞥，我們與Tim的視線剛好對上。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixuOP0GJBj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEf6l209n2
Tim是「完全沒有佈置」的一派。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepB0q5YJEg
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0KxUjbsix
他關掉噏噏震動的剪草機，瞇起眼瞧看陰雲滿佈的天空。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgwjgb8RgO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaqdybKSAj
「嗯，又準備落雨。每年都一樣。你兩個都快啲返屋企囉。」他說罷便轉身往門外的木梯級走過去。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomDuduYiKU
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwFcfrzE2j
我不經意地看了Tim的屋子一眼，發現他是「完全沒有佈置」的一派，霍然憶起他在派對當晚登門的奇怪表情。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzCkxTnsLN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sAOWBjb6F
直覺告訴我，眼前這道背影應該知道我需要一早知道的事情。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8f6d2FJLG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURYXrlhuJA
我追問道：「點解大家唔慶祝萬聖節？係唔係怕啲咩？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiPK3T99pi
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCLjHacwof
「你哋還好？」Tim停雨腳步，神色複雜地回望我們。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z9gWCbrLZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WBzrZP5UJ
我沒有回答他的問題，直勾勾地看著他。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0W2wkp6Bs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmKOlAE4GU
Mia說道：「我哋想知道『萬聖節』嘅事。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHsylHwA9m
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLQaus4Uah
Tim低吟兩秒，應道：「如果你哋唔趕時間，入嚟飲杯咖啡吧。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKZe0PXEiu
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9aaTEsMUx
如是者，Mia和我在Tim的邀請下到他的家作客。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzrwes7bGG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7RVDx1qGe
Tim的家裝潢不俗，沒有過份現代化的設計，像九十年代的電影常見的佈置，廚房依然沿用明火的爐頭，棕色梳化的皮有點脫色，跟泛黃的薄荷綠直紋牆紙同樣帶著歲月月的痕跡。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf1CRixbRZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6Py5TMBBq
窗戶外下起毛毛細雨，窗台上的花瓶，插著一束白花。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH0yC9k7oG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLEwIbpIrL
這時候，我和Mia坐在廚房外的木枱旁，看著Tim在狹隘的廚房煲水，動作不怎熟練。這一點我清楚不過，因為每日黃昏都帶外賣員的單車停在他的門口。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhgADjzrmW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxZ0C0nlEJ
嗒，嗒。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV52tNYcz3J
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnN4y4VxyF
「Come on，you little shit⋯⋯」Tim 抱怨兩句後，爐頭亮起火光。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidGL7SGhvE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelknZhBaRS
我好奇地站起來，在客廳踱步，當我走到壁爐前觀看錶在牆上的簽名球衣時，不禁被爐上的相架吸引住視線。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMGVKjWjff
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7C2Smyspy
一家四口的全家幅。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTODfcMQAio
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82BoOKbmAL
照片中的Tim金髮濃密，額頭沒有現在的火車路軌。他搭著妻子的肩膀，身前站著兩個活潑小孩，看上去十分溫馨。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdvV9I1e5y
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWsuIm9dxF
水煲發出汽笛的鳴聲，壺嘴冒出熱霧，然後Tim小心翼翼地端著剛沖好的熱咖啡，從廚房步出客廳。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSQaO0VMZL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs74Ugw01J5
「哈哈，以前都係我老婆招呼客人。佢走咗之後啊，你哋算係我第一個客人。」Tim發現我正在壁爐前看照片。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7GI1Y02bI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gzoqzsLn0
「唔好意思。」 我尷尬一笑。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I1Zd3E9GB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVTps7gBOW
「唔緊要，哈哈。」Tim擺擺手，正色道：「所以，你哋想問關於萬聖節嘅事？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtbHXaDyAE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9Cz8DqxoW
「因為見到你哋屋企冇萬聖節裝飾。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3ah8gMWAM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnGrZ0FORm
「我哋唔慶祝嘛，大概算係一種尊重吧。對我哋呢啲老街坊嚟講，萬聖節唔係一個好日子，或者係近乎一種禁忌。近幾年搬入嚟嘅鄰居唔知道。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb9e9emIPa
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ921xWrifau
「宗教信仰？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKkGNElBqP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn59rQ3aXt
Tim 搖了搖頭。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGAlD0JBjI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimFR2wmXQW
「你哋無對佢哋解釋？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsUR18toVg
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkCz7YgIKw
「冇人願意提，而且有啲事知得愈少愈好。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDCwHsYdqe
「但你同我哋講嘅原因係？」Mia疑惑。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLQzHh4jbU
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiouPXRLcQ
「因為我想搵後生女仔陪我呢個大叔傾計解悶囉，嘿嘿。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasIaUhgJK1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVkA4mwZYC
我們知道，Tim沒有說出真正的原因。真正原因是，我們是需要知道真相的人。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTDj0lQtUK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyrrR71PET
「你哋都冇佈置，不過應該係其他原因？」Tim呷一口咖啡，壓低聲線道：「已經見過『佢哋』？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjcmPYKFsi
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoK0QgbPdI
Tim口中的「他們」顯然指那對鬼母子！204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZqCfFZyke
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxlhHVQB5k
我和Mia不約而同點頭。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnQg3hzOMv
「你知道佢哋存在？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJu6mxI4N1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTit7okPEIa
「唔，呢十幾年來有幾個舊街坊見到佢哋。每一次都係十月三十一號。佢哋拖住手，出現喺呢條街。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ7ewzmLmS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76kxusOc6R
「唔係每一年？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKExSrJZ8DH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7S0cE8EN6
Tim 掏出衫袋的煙盒，抽了一支叼在嘴上：「只有當有新人搬入去你間屋嘅嗰一年。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHtiMd4jUp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdcU822uVE
「所以你都見過？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGSK9HNWMV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yiBDMv5zT
「見過？我認識佢哋一家。又或者，我先係造成呢場悲劇嘅元兇。」Tim凝視花瓶的白花，眼眸中露出難以明喻的愧疚。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y4xVAHqYH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHCIXw1hnE
一片花瓣無聲掉落窗台，Tim拿起火機點煙，說出那一段不為人知的往事⋯⋯204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOpOT5T62w
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrW2ldR5PZ
＊204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLcj50C2rH
＊204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKbGFpjNmT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn9SEUCs8F
嚓。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzEFHgXJkh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VfV5AfY1Z
「喔，唔該唔該。」Tim輕拍遞上火機的手示意。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmifEqouCUE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUKLDDMEa0
坐在Tim對面的男人身穿皮褸牛仔褲，有一頭棕啡頭髮，鷹鼻下是一雙無情的薄唇，臉頰有點點雀斑，左耳上夾住一根煙，看上去像一個入型入格的壞男人。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cpbxCcUSR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRICINdrFC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaCdCf3F1b
這個壞男人叫Simon，這個故事不能或缺的男主角 。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc61WVzbOC4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qYlxUKzai
Simon跟Tim在同一間建築公司工作，是後者的前輩，私底下兩人也是認識多年的朋友。自從Simon跟Tim成為鄰居後，兩個家庭更不時聚會，所以Tim也認識Simon的妻子和孩子，Patricia和Jack。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWHvnWk3C7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptASs2GhHF
Patricia的家在蘇格蘭經營傳統生意，家境不錯，而且擁有漂亮的臉蛋和一頭柔順如綢的及腰長髮，純樸的氣質勝過那個年代不少明星。她在一次到南邊城市旅行時遇上Simon。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut7s4HVZl8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg0CwW6dM0
Patricia沒有大小姐脾氣，是一個賢淑的妻子，也是一個好母親。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURhBRCGTqS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMIBA09rHO
要說的是，Simon和Tim雖然抽同一牌子的煙，但性格南轅北轍。Simon為人好勝，不但沉迷賭博，而且花天酒地，這樣的男人能娶妻生子，是他的福份，也是Patricia母子的不幸。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5yI478hAZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcp3ZUz007
跟一般當地人一樣，他們在假日經常聚會，因此。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZxOPkRThX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaipwT2zTkE
「係喇，我之前見到Patricia⋯⋯佢塊面瘀咗，唔會係你打佢吧？」Tim試探道。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyp84QezvE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKiOOMvRLN
Simon呼出一口煙：「唔關我事，佢自己唔小心跌親。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNzGJdVcyU
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN3zdCzbTc
Tim看到對方迴避自己的目光，頓時心裡有數。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYed4f1JPEf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvTfhNllST
「今次輸幾多錢？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA5IDqVVkd
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yfuibACeu
Simon聞言，露出一抹笑容，彷彿一直在等Tim這句話。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNafZpo9qon
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa16dkncw6N
「兩千鎊。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyIoGdQDEc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpsTZKLndf
兩千鎊當然不是一個小數目，而且Tim已經不是第一次替這傢伙還債。可是因為Simon帶他入行，加上他不忍看到Patricia被當作出氣袋，所以還是選擇妥協。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zF7jH0ke3
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9DCcQau25
「最後一次，唔好再拎去賭。自從你搬咗去嗰間屋⋯⋯」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0LUBWIVCF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbpVkGoCsm
「我間屋好好。」Simon眼中閃過一抹戾色，續說道：「唔好咁迷信，總之我今次一定戒賭。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mDguel9Pj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlAyFRZ5KM
這是1997年，萬聖節前的一個星期。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuKJVldVgL
事實上，Simon在1995年前買下那塊廢棄的空地前，Tim曾經多次勸止過。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggCBZEs4hs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiobl1Szh5
「Simon，你再考慮清楚先。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMIToyJ22Y
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2xSLRWRie
「我約好咗簽咗約，呢啲荀盤難得呀。再講，Jack 都已經5歲，我哋都一直搵緊地方安頓落嚟。」 Simon站在雜草叢生的空地前，滿意地點摸下巴。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX28xkCBtp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Jv2wsPBW
「嘛，咁確實比租屋好，但其實重有其他選擇。老婆，你話係唔係？」Tim一再勸說。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7scRjTBvd
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzxONyWEVN
然而，Tim的妻子的說詞卻是不一。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LbgFcm8UA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNvpBkcws8
「其實我都覺得住近啲好⋯⋯大家有個照應。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fFO69CQ2R
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP49DLtNH0Z
Simon笑道：「係呀，住近啲好。重有邊度可以呢塊地咁划算？呢塊空地可以起幾層。我一手包辦，又可以慳一筆，半年內應該可以入伙囉。自己有間屋就唔候俾其他人睇死，嘿。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZSajsYf7Q
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpBOdDSLdf
Patricia聽到Simon的話尷尬地偏過頭。確實，父母由始至終都反對他們的婚事，覺得Simon為人不可靠，出身於貧窮的家庭。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3CTFMF9Sw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEBgW6xb3J
富不過三代，但窮絕對可以，是一種惡性循環。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYOhi1xaAT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxmpufRuls
Simon一直對此心懷介蒂，當一塊便宜的地出現在他面前，他哪裡能按捺這個吐氣揚眉的機會？204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSEHcwuKx0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuZFLLFa2a
Simon一手抱起兒子：「嗱，之後你就有大屋住喇，重大過Tim叔叔間屋㗎。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIfAovXFJ5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLrFHDZrUh
Tim知道對方聽不進耳裡，也放棄繼續游說下去。也許，那個傳說只是騙小孩的故事罷了。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMtP2pKfmh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStg41o7UGr
他的目光被空地邊緣的小黃花吸引。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4Mjg8NDb8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwuKe48w6C
小黃花剛剛綻放，生機無比，像接下來一年的Simon一家的美滿生活。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOFOFzUoiM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fm8OopNio
＊204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyexaKKXY4h
＊204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV0j4W1YU3
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygBa9MPJfs
Tim捻熄煙蒂，若有所思地攪動杯中的咖啡。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41mErFA2sc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOSqiFCboB
「花會開，自然有淍落嘅時候。Simon 間屋比預期快完工，一家三口搬入去。最初都幾好，Simon重喺賭場贏到一大筆錢。但諗返轉頭，本來佢買嗰塊地嘅資金都係因為賭錢贏返嚟⋯⋯說好似魔鬼向佢招手一樣。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvdGrfpLhw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5LCCkHNNF
「佢之後開始輸錢？」我並不意外。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVvgXYb4zC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbVFWKafvw
輸錢皆因贏錢起，這可是老生常談。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe0V8cw03H
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOQpGDsjRr
「嗯，大約96年冬天吧，當時落緊雪。Simon第一次向我借錢，起初數目唔大，我都以為佢會收手。但之後佢經常流露著晒魔嘅陌生眼神，我就記起嗰一個傳說。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrCRDndh4k
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWML52KEA1
「傳說，你最初勸Simon 唔好買嘅原因？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng1cOaeuJO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yg06TsEVz
Tim點點頭：「血樹傳說。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRNt6aPMzT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB950o2x5fR
「What the⋯⋯」Mia說。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FC4QCOZxi
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjeJHC7BkJ
「fuck？」我補充。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkIApFRVUf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmLUFb37qL
「女巫與血樹嘅傳說。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPkBkJat2M
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0de6i4PW0m
＊204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNruGfRkdyT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x5bPPR9RR
那是1997年前10月31日，Tim最後一次看到Patricia和小男孩Jack。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mgcx9uzo0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCQekUKszr
這時候，Jack和Tim的大兒子在家裡的後花園追逐嬉戲。Tim抱著女兒和Patricia坐在屋外的太陽傘下聊天。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcocG0lKGLT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniJWP2LpmF
「Patricia，佢又打你？」Tim瞧看Patricia的墨鏡，看見眉角的傷口。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhmtB1ymim
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS76KbzoVW
Patricia趕忙搖頭：「唔，係我唔小心撞親。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIGt6Sh6YR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT6kNMAqWR
「Bloody Simon！死性不改，我過去幫你教訓佢。」Tim捲起衣䄂，怒氣匆匆地站起來，打算為Patricia出頭。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksMXDKOyaw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpCrxmnu7h
「佢前日出咗去，到今日都未返。不過佢今晚一定會返。佢往年都會陪Jack過萬聖節。佢只係最近心情唔好。自從搬咗嚟之後，佢變咗好多。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4oR7UgGtr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZA9Ixz7Us
「Patricia，你哋快啲搬走。搬去其他地方又好，過嚟暫住一下都好，總之離開嗰間屋。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkCsL8nYKX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoqE9xZFzF
這時候，Tim的妻子剛好推門走出花園，與Patricia四目交投，Tim並沒有為意兩人眼神中的異樣之色。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FmNCMI8kx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxshkpudc5
Patricia尷尬地笑道：「Simon好快就冇事。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIhJrI470P
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWa0wxKkCr
「你聽我講，血樹傳說可能係真，嗰塊地係不祥之地。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBQ1pgeNXB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wW4fOqCjO
血樹傳說的起源於十四世紀，與當時的奪走大量人類生命的黑死病有莫大關係。當時的醫學水平不及現今發達，疫症在歐洲肆虐，人們束手無策，每天活在徨恐中，只能祈禱疫情早日完結。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKt0MOlHLd
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFkbZPbM1Z
信仰是一把雙面刃，能帶給人們希望，同時也可以是絕望。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76mXm4HqXy
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQxEy8BujL
「係女巫嘅惡毒邪術導致呢場災難！要完結呢場噩夢，就要搵出施巫術嘅女巫！」第一個人提出。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kmOUo5f19
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf7Rljxz44
「討伐女巫！！！將女巫吊死！！！」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43Ykl9tsxK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BMWTgOoge
「燒死可惡嘅女巫！」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fzzjslyd9
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV1jngFjIp
人聲鼎沸，人們在民間掀起一場以討伐女巫為名的大屠殺。至於當時的中部大陸也不例外，人們把自以為的女巫抓到刑場處決。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nPoVNzTMh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyueMoJYV3
先扒去衣服，吊在柳樹上示眾三日三夜。如果中途被亂石頭掉死算幸運，還有氣息的被視為強大的女巫，被淋上熱油後再活活燒死，畫面殘酷得讓人髮指。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5hTdqP1Ow
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R3RGMxvjc
那段時間，柳樹掛滿一具具女屍。其中有女巫嗎？沒有人知道，但枉死的女子絕對更多。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKHFgLsxgl
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRgzIuqVNd
黑死病消失，屠殺女巫的迷信行為被禁止。但在此之後的某日，人們發現了有一株詭異至極的柳樹。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTfX6kv3QI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUcOdWC3er
風吹過，能聽見淒厲的慘叫聲。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOJ3U65iXS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmzsWJKGyS
砍進樹幹，流出來的是腥紅的鮮血。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSS6PbB0no
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXXb7W6B3D
將濕潤的泥土拿上手把玩，殘留強烈的血腥味。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dueVHuf0E
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvDSQWGsEi
由於這株柳樹過於恐怖，所以最後被人民合力砍掉，請來神父淨化。但更離奇的是，傳聞所有參與砍樹的人和神父事後都死於非命，先後上吊，彷彿遭到邪靈的詛咒似的。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRzQTEkI3W
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8vcWixC8s
「Tim，真係唔使擔心我哋。」Patricia握住Tim的手，衷心感謝Tim的關心。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5Y6bmsPPB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqns123fXN
「Jack，過嚟同Tim叔叔講媽媽教你嘅說話。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC60vz3Ae9S
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedh8tEgJtc
「知道！」小男孩穿著白色小西裝，跑到Tim的面前。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh16Ue9ASX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bXbG0LQar
「The sky is blue⋯⋯」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeodDqQrTPy
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1atKzgkoh
「The grass is green⋯⋯」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplaiaApRaX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB7b0Ee8bu
「May we have our Halloween？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xCP7dtZ7j
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Nf291DVqk
「If not a penny, a ha’penny will do⋯⋯」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYikESgJDtm
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5u8T2xUyO
「If not a ha’ penny, then God bless you!」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIQbiVCqC4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStZs5efR3c
男孩Jack 吐舌，乖巧地伸出手。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj2bAxSUtW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufeqT8bDii
「Trick or treat？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxlxV7tviH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipnASh6WKu
＊204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsi2swPVGB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5SfRLva4W
聽到Tim 唸出那幾句說話，我和Mia頃刻被寒意佔據身體每個角落。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnL239NCVY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u2eQgR61Z
Patricia和小男孩Jack正是一直纏著他們的鬼母子！204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvLA4Bik6R
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ76T9jIHUw
「嗰晚之後，我哋冇再見過Patricia同Jack。至於Simon見過一次。佢當時拖住行李走得好急。我問過佢嗰兩母子究竟喺邊，佢只係答我離家出走。一年之後，Simon因為欠債，走投無路，喺樹林嘅柳樹上吊自殺。由於死法太過離奇，所以報紙都有大肆報導。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYexqTlTnGl
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr8oSL3WDH
「離奇？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvy0Scd5UZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10MFzdKkbS
「兩隻眼血淋淋，但現場搵唔到佢嘅眼珠。一個失明嘅人走入森林上吊自殺，你覺得有可能嗎？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiydCks0JS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tcj1NSw4K
Tim喝光咖啡，續道：「自此之後，認識呢對母子嘅街坊都唔再慶祝萬聖節。因為我哋相信Patricia同Jack喺萬聖節遇害，已經唔喺人世。如果我當時用盡辦法留低Patricia，事情未必會變成咁。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOreOHXfxuW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWGUGWJeGI
Mia不解地問道：「你點解肯定佢哋死咗？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDuc8pI0eE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYgeZQmMHP
Tim遙看壁爐上照片，露出一抹淒酸的笑容：「我太太同我講。『係報應，Patricia咁強年來都唔肯原諒我呀』⋯⋯我太太臨走前一年病入膏肓，呢一句係佢最清醒嘅說話。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuQq0ftxt3
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG3vzJzbBc
「等等先，我唔係好明白。」我聽得一頭冒水。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckENUthHl0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5EHRMb6Rw
「我太太同Simon⋯⋯嘿嘿。我嘅大仔都唔係我親生嘅。哧，其實哧我一直都知個仔唔似我。但我對天父發過誓嘛，老婆始終都老婆，係咪親生仔都係我養大，養隻巴西龜都有感情啦。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBuVA1cRqb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNicssjgqvf
很綠，十分綠。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlf57H70RL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlvzVWLSmR
他的綠，比巴西龜、忍者龜和Marvel的變形俠醫都比下去。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlKOPF1osQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH3CaNqnm0
Mia瞄我一眼，對Tim 說道：「你係一個好男人。如果係我就未必做得到。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHbcP74Ik4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwmuI8ZpMr
「都已經老夫老妻，是但啦。不過，自從Patricia消失之後，我太太開始惡疾纏身，病情反反覆覆，手術都做過好多次，但一直唔畀佢解脫，好似有一種無形嘅力量刻意要佢受盡折磨。二十年來，每日佢都喺病痛中渡過。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2EKkvqKVp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJhICWIPGv
「佢居然冇自殺？」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiereJUbRC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzyqAsB15g
Mia瞪我一眼，用力踩在我的腳背上。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIcblBhtpW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcng6fjz3H
「唔好意思。」我聳肩道歉。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcteM5zIHp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p1MWAZu5i
Tim不在意地笑了笑：「我太太認為活著係最好嘅贖罪，即使我哋嘅大仔好多年前都已經填命⋯⋯唔，係車禍。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT5ZOXU6c4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtRBlQIYw2
Tim凝視我們：「對唔住，我都唔知有咩能夠幫到你哋。又或者，其實今日係你兩個幫咗我呢一個大叔，哈哈。我一直見唔到佢哋兩母子。如果你哋唔好彩見到佢哋，就幫我道歉吧。」204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFtfVoImMs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxuo8MASEt
這是Tim跟我們說最後一段說話。204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaScRY2W9WX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzysA238XUU
＊204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UAQ3q57ev
