約略是三年前，正值櫻花爛漫季節，一位蒙紗的少婦帶著一籃藥箱來到這座不起眼的山谷小村裡行醫。以一飯一宿作為求治的代價，倒也令人覺得親切同情。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeyMXvGkPt
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO25RWgIfHC
雖然在這村落沒什麼特殊罕見的疾症，但無論是怎樣難易的病痛卻在她的治療下一一痊癒，即使是不大不小但總無法根除的常疾，也乖順地逐漸消跡。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvUYGrIiIK
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq72mHlqFKR
對村民來說，她定是位偉大的巫女，也只有侍奉神祇的巫女與神官才能趨除病痛。所以儘管沒有人見過她真正的面貌，也沒有人知道她是從何而來為何而來，都視作侍奉神之人而理所當然地接受。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyfl1LFXd9
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0ly8AsTa4
行醫後不久，少婦拿出了精美珍貴的布料贈與村民，請他們在山上為她搭建居所。連貴族也罕見的布疋與樣式奇特的屋落，儘管惹人驚異卻也視應當然。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BSyHfQzx5
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhzgtmiZDQ
村民們敬重地諱稱她一聲『夫人』。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s4moNqDva
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkC2L07grM
少婦總是罩上一層薄紗遮掩面容，其中原由則是村民們好奇而不敢探究的問題。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp9nyKqtQ7
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigFyBqVZp9
但就與供奉侍神之人一樣，樸實的村民對這位夫人一直滿懷著敬意與感恩。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqHAxMgie6
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOsYVFVd9r
※※※※※638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ4M3764Oz
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVwjmISwnT
如日常事例，少婦背著藥箱步步走下山谷為村民診病。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloZtE5MU9B
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaaEzUApvr
剛開始時，像這樣走在崎嶇的山路小徑，每隔片刻便因體力不足而停佇休息，而隨著路程加長，行進的速度愈加遲緩，在走到山谷時往往需費上半個白天的時間。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnUXJNDLAU
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyyeTCcvbz
然而日復一日地走下來，很快地便適應了山路的跛斜，雙腳踩地的踏穩與敏捷也讓自己意識到原本是如何嬌生慣養。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CmeCcGq8j
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5nujgZ5H1
經過一時辰的山路，脫出林葉蔭蔽，眼前一片低平。山勢成兩方夾圍出一塊橢形的峽地，一道細小的水流在谷地尾端切出，往山谷外的世界延伸。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1trqcXcx5k
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O5WwPXuZp
谷內盡被闢成田地，十數戶茅頂土屋鬆散地聚落在谷內微高之處，少婦走入由田壟蜿蜒至屋落的土徑，幾名在田中收成的農伕見人立即嚷聲問安，接著轉向其他田埂裡的村人遠喝通知少婦的來到。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSlz5DlPy2
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8P3ijzsdC
走至舍落中央的寬地時，少婦身週已經圍滿了村人，村婦們有的牽著自家的孩子或是手抱嬰兒前來，每個人開口一聲聲『夫人』地嘈嘈雜雜嚷話著。少婦一面聽他們的閒談日常，一面為需要療治的人一一看診。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLatAhhlVjD
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqIkuqEdPA
在這座村裡不太有什麼難以應付的絕症，最多是風寒腹洩皮膚病，一些被宿疾所纏身的老人家，也只要經過一般藥石與飲膳的調養，便就無所礙窒。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf44x8zfoQ
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSMcXe7MGL
對這些村民來說，已經足夠靈驗。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7V0Pot9SF
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFu9mximyI
除了病痛看診外，村民們也會額外與少婦聊一些村內的近況與自家的種種。少婦只是靜靜地聽著，大多時並沒有搭腔，但村民們卻反而說得更是躍躍有勁。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMmnLyiNhj
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lJSvTSFFu
「讓我過去！讓我過去！」一個小女孩費力地推擠開大人們圍成的人牆，然後又再被擠了出去，她不停地高聲尖叫，「讓我過去啦！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6pQE999hn
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn05owKGJc
少婦認得那個女孩，名字叫小末。她記得很清楚，那個小女孩的母親是在她來到這個村落前難產而死的。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfDMYBheHy
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SgDn0cBou
少婦往小末的方向跨了一步，人群便散了開來，小末一股腦地從人群中撞出，興奮地抓住少婦的衣袖嚷叫：「夫人！妳快來看！妳快來看！我撿到了很棒的東西哦！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoYpcgT9gA
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56Xp6Q70tV
「小末，妳又要騙人了！」四週的大人們不以為意地取笑，連一旁的小孩子也跟著起哄叫著：「騙人鬼」。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBHGLqu4u9
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdkHxOHSfx
「我才沒有騙人！才沒有！」小末回頭大聲罵道，手指仍緊抓著少婦的袖襬。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhHBCnHojO
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmInZDrLSuE
少婦微低下半身，柔聲問道：「小末，妳撿到了什麼？」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8MuSI0Vqr
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXai5kmvps
「妳跟我來看就知道了啦！」小末立即拉著少婦的手，作勢就要衝出前去。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNWvXw6UuR
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QGVQcf7J6
「等一下！小末！」大人們抓起小末手臂，嚴聲訓斥，「不可以對夫人沒禮貌，妳自己把東西帶過來！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSurygLdlAG
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtuDK2lNVC
「不行！不行！」小末大叫，「不能給別人看到！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoR5iLi1KB
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVMfJyIR6q
「妳又在說謊了！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTLAXQTGEx
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVaAO4Vnep
少婦感到一陣頭痛，只得出聲制止，「別說了。」她蹲下與小末齊高，安撫道：「我晚點再看，好嗎？」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYL41ERUx1
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1or4xUAZD
小末委屈地皺眉抿嘴，片刻後才點頭勉強同意。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunt0nKAcXb
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6qg9VYW9T
於是，小末就站在人群外圍靜靜盯著少婦，不時煩燥地走來走去，然後跑開片刻、再又跑了回來。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR8Pi7uSWL
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3Gdhacdrz
以前小末常常對著她大嚷：『為什麼不早點來救我母親？』638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SfboDGacr
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9w2kIXZFJ
後來大概是被大人責罵的關係吧，小末再也沒有說出那種話，卻開始說起自己看到了母親的亡魂、夢到了母親的亡魂。內容則不外乎是母親預言將降災給哪個會欺負小末的人，要不就是母親得到了神的賜福，會再回到小末身邊云云。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMDgc498Jq
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2Bkgpv41y
像這樣顯而易見的謊言只招來更多的嘲笑，小末卻更為堅信自己看得見母親的亡魂、甚或是其它死者的鬼魂。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVoUmRcx00
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucqmhc4l5Z
後來少婦私底下編了一個故事告訴小末，一個失去父母的小孩向神祈求再見到自己的父母一面，代價是一整年的時間不可開口說話，小孩做到了，因此見到了自己的父母。然而卻因為她太久沒說話的關係，她在現世的親友都遺忘她不認識她了。從那之後，小末就不再說謊，也逐漸不再提起自己母親的事。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiq6dYdt3X
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGwwGBLvH7
只是，到現在其他人還是會常常拿過去說謊的事來取笑她，小末雖然生氣，卻也未認真掛在心上計較，或許是年紀尚小的關係。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU9n3OoFWv
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyEUosrXXq
少婦收拾了藥箱，把村民們贈送的一些莊稼打成小包袱，小末已等不及地纏到她身旁，拉著她就跑，還不時回頭把好管閒事的村民或其他小孩給喝跑。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ivxPTfNDE
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEH2qLadAk
「小末，到底是什麼東西……」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBSc017AEd
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZTlY5exkA
小末以指尖壓唇示意，然後壓低聲音：「不能說不能說，妳看了就知道了！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eZM50YctE
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSx9A9EqVJ
結果，小末把她帶到了小溪的磯岸上，一群大小不一的石塊疊出傾陡的矮壁裡，有許多可以藏物的狹縫。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F65ergDK2
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlo6DJFE72
小末迅速地爬過幾疊邊緣尖銳的大石塊，回頭拼命向少婦招呼：「這裡這裡！趕快來看！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZXAUcRNXY
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8IXAEOygK
少婦謹慎緩慢地越過石塊來到小末身旁，小末深吸一口氣，手按在遮住洞口的一塊扁長石片上，眼中閃爍著興奮的光芒，「我要打開囉…」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbtkmi5Bxl
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeWEobxqzR
石片移開後，少婦低下身看去時，不禁倒抽了一口氣──638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu7f7wMztu
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYmOD9dKwV
那不是人類嗎？638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAyAprGXSV
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN55Fe1mT0
…不，那…是人類嗎？……638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pl3qODWiy
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ej3Bifw9A
型體像是巨大的卵，帶著與常人無異的粉肉色，在頂端則像是生出肉芽一般，長著一張女人的臉孔緊閉雙眼，一頭烏黑的長髮從『頭』頂披曳落在卵的四周。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8PQVE8hcV
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBuUsfiKn4
「很漂亮吧！很漂亮吧！」小末高興地對少婦露出欣喜的笑容，「昨天的昨天剛撿到時是蛋，然後長芽，今天長出臉跟頭髮耶！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxu9gR7ZQK
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb59m0t1Vf
少婦只有瞪大著眼，看著小末雀悅地與她分享著自己的秘密。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqWB6zDgTK
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6Nx1CBuko
「以後一定會長得愈來愈好看！一定會！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrVojZuXTe
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDcgt3EODG
「小末…」少婦乾澀地喚著她的名字，幾不成聲。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmPmFmZjXW
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqyOZbROFr
「不過不能告訴我家裡的人喔！也不可以告訴別人！這是…」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpELA834OId
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY66mEckQT
「小末！」少婦竭力喚道，「小末…等一下…這種東西……」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDCbZ6tCu6
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SR4p4UNJg
「唔？」小末無辜地眨眨眼，等著少婦說話。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71PRT2mumC
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ocA7ztFcW
「這種東西……」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J3RRbLP2C
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP6mgQXamj
該怎麼說出口……她確定這顆卵是超脫她所能理解之物，不，也不是十分地陌生，因為……638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHo2GXxiRs
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopJQHHT670
因為，這應該是已經脫離凡俗的物體……638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlktiekm8t
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUfHAonMJS
……過去的記憶像是突發的山洪沖盡意識……638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VzFEREsFZ
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWJjJodoJf
為什麼？自己明明不再是過去的那個人了，為什麼還會看到這種東西？638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qvzHoNtWC
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhJsPwLGqJ
「夫人！夫人！」小末急切地拉晃著她的袖口，「夫人妳知道這是什麼動物對不對？告訴我告訴我！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUCYW5itJ9
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHBtrlH3r1
「這…這個…是……」少婦恍惚地低聲囁嚅，意識無法控制地恍惚飄遊，眼前的小女孩也似是恍惚的景象。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHTIXmzxw6
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwrvdqM04z
心口，只剩底下的心臟是確實而嚇人地搏動著。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfl7RLG1Na
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesgqjyNvJ6
她伸吸口氣，強迫自己假造出可以冷靜面對現狀的思緒來，「總之，先讓我確認一下，這種東西…說不定有危險……」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhJ6J2IrMJ
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C1WVXskOT
小末不以為意也不放在心上地點頭同意。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmZUKwmvUY
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE4TuJ7ZN3
少婦忍住嫌惡感與恐懼，伸手用掌心覆觸卵的表面，上下輕移……638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsLBrj4jw1
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNljvSJ42k
觸感與人肉相彷，體溫不冷不熱，甚至隱約可見流動的細小血筋，至於呼息的起迭與脈動……分不清是不是把自己的吁吸錯認為是那個物體的吁吸，手掌中的起伏與顫動像是自己所引發又不像是，明明早已判斷出，錯覺卻層層不絕地湧起……638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4mBjsbtRg
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pDX584yLD
指尖移至『她』的鼻尖下想確認氣息時，『她』霍然張明雙眼！638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn27We9W70V
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIDXf7wMJv
少婦赫然抽回手，醒過來的『她』正盈盈微笑。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5ocaUYlx2
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QDX8hxEnO
小末訝異又驚喜地低歡道：「哇──張開眼睛了！醒過來了！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ1zyHLrWG
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gvPuRH2it
『她』笑得像是石雕一像生硬，少婦卻直覺得『她』的眼神與表情不停地無聲變動著。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiL9rkwEpl
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRzNW0Sm3o
『她』的眼神冰冷得幾乎可凍結體內的血液流動，似乎自己才是寄宿在某個肉塊裡的莫名異物……638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERqOBlPtOi
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT9zA9K3yi
「我是小末！小末小末小末！」小末很高興地向『她』介紹自己。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AltpUax12
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuJpaaKMux
少婦不禁脫口說出：「……神……」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEu1Ijz4nk
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOh4uXUDtV
腥紅的血瞳映照出不斷飛逝的無形非人。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4doJ6HLwj
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfYp1s9TSa
尖銳的笑聲從四面八方向少婦滾壓，她被當做是漩渦中心地纏繞著宣洩而下，連靈魂也快被沖刷怠盡似地。然後……638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wuJPZGf7M
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld1ADcHwQ0
就在要屈服這些無止境膨脹的笑意之時，透過薄紗，隱約地看到小女孩快樂地捧著巨卵上的頭顱抱出洞外。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfwscAEHPG
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2qaJOP7T9
臉孔後頭的身體仍留在洞穴內，所以被拉成了柔軟的長條，小末愉快地持續拉著，然後長條的身體兩側對稱地長出無數雙手臂來……638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XXptTZJoC
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUlaXy0zLp
『她』擺動的靈活的長臂，與小末在地上舞躍著、在天空攀爬著。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx0yDqFmxG
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQzFy72Jx9
『她』臉上的微笑依舊是生硬冰冷，聽不見的笑聲卻極盡尖銳盡宏大地刺擊著少婦……638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEqGnoZA2P
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyiZZ9VB2h
當小末幻影似地從眼前離去時，少婦忽然醒了過來，四週景物絲豪未變，除了癱軟在地的自己與傾倒一旁的藥箱。她渾渾顫顫地拾起自己的東西，好不容易才踉蹌地走回村內。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1514PWv0GN
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEhDlWsZpY
回到村子，村民們善意地招呼著，「夫人！您還沒走啊！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvVQLmoVxg
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5xG0bCumL
「小末呢？」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT23Tr7OMPZ
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUZnUqw9Hx
「她啊…」村人露出了怪異的表情，「發瘋一樣叫嘯著跑過去了！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOT9yjgkTG
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRG6xsdQB5
「那…她…有帶著什麼東西嗎？」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkpddE1z4e
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCUXBk3m0X
「啊？」村人搔搔頭，「就那樣一路跑過去啦……」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuYcGDkD2O
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv4ryHwDVU
少婦不安地快步行至舍落，只見到小末在寬地上舞蹈般地狂跳著，一旁的村人還不斷吼道「別跳了！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOelhdnnDXV
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UsZeoLMp2
沒有神。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT33JIklRTU
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SoPKnGfQP
小末看到少婦，漸漸地停下瘋狂舞跳，喘息笑著。638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwsTJadm6D
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYAzX8EUvT
「不可以告訴別人、不可以說喔！」638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2hKqah8lg
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