709Please respect copyright.PENANA17q9OGLyKM
709Please respect copyright.PENANAZx0NLUrxfq
靜露隔天早上就聽說菈瑞兒醒來,她趕緊換了衣服,從食堂摸來幾顆蘋果,去醫療所探望。709Please respect copyright.PENANAypnxuGEpel
709Please respect copyright.PENANA1gf4hRDW3D
任務的通知,中午的時候下來了。709Please respect copyright.PENANADugBc4nl90
當時靜露正坐在菈瑞兒的病床旁,幫她削蘋果,布羅靠在窗邊磨他的木雕。709Please respect copyright.PENANAQrMDbvmBPo
709Please respect copyright.PENANANc7aq82Ahx
教官並沒有要求靜露與布羅迴避,而是直接把三份一樣的文件遞給他們。709Please respect copyright.PENANASj8X3tuNps
709Please respect copyright.PENANAt6UApeGdni
任務主要的內容,就像昆斯先生之前預擬的一樣,要將醫療所和探索隊本年度分析的最新資料,護送到新雪梨,並交換有關殭屍病毒異變的情報。709Please respect copyright.PENANAebY3yzOxb4
若到年底還沒有蒐集到情報,就撤退返回,並報告狀況。709Please respect copyright.PENANAhPf2sz3YhE
除此之外,也要打探摩頓與維塔的背景。709Please respect copyright.PENANAFRvwhQ7N4u
709Please respect copyright.PENANAfbK8jl996s
「先生,」菈瑞兒看向教官說:「我的狀況恐怕無法即刻與他們啟程。」709Please respect copyright.PENANAYKSiql4fO8
709Please respect copyright.PENANARSUFPtSbXM
身形高大的教官,在高度不到三米的室內顯得特別有壓迫感,他低頭看著辦躺在床上的菈瑞兒,面容嚴肅的宣布:709Please respect copyright.PENANAMLO3GqS0nH
「允許妳復原後再出發與他們會和。」709Please respect copyright.PENANAz3gIQoCx5G
709Please respect copyright.PENANAbbODtj6ZRB
「是。」709Please respect copyright.PENANAMWzQ9qgfjF
709Please respect copyright.PENANATZs6oj2eYC
教官離開後,靜露憂心忡忡地看著菈瑞兒,萬萬沒有想到昆斯先生竟連菈瑞兒都點名,菈瑞兒滿臉興味的仔細閱讀任務檔案,布羅則緩緩收拾了木屑與工具,將東西都收到袋子裡,起身準備離開。709Please respect copyright.PENANAVn5YN7Two7
709Please respect copyright.PENANAlpHi7kgvcu
「走吧。」他說,「我們得先決定好怎麼到那邊。」709Please respect copyright.PENANA3YEjS3WAUD
709Please respect copyright.PENANAUsUhq3tW2I
她點點頭,看著布羅靠到病床旁,俯身在菈瑞兒額上吻了下,兩人輕聲互道再見後,他們離開了醫療所。709Please respect copyright.PENANA078YJt7YKS
709Please respect copyright.PENANAlYXgTgFc1F
「啊,對了!」回大屋的路上,靜露突然想到什麼的大叫一聲,「忘記去看崔佛啊!」709Please respect copyright.PENANALIFwbR6Pra
709Please respect copyright.PENANAe6UkYtSQQc
她急忙要回頭折返,卻被布羅拉住了衣領:709Please respect copyright.PENANAA5ZrQ5EO9C
「別麻煩了,」他低沉的嗓音,像是壓抑著什麼,「我們趕時間。」709Please respect copyright.PENANADBoFEyb97U
709Please respect copyright.PENANAOdzArqw8BH
「只是去看看,跟他說我們年底才回來啊,不會花太多時間的。」709Please respect copyright.PENANA8VCDLCtkHA
709Please respect copyright.PENANAzRxnqiB79w
他搖搖頭,依然是那句:「別麻煩了。」709Please respect copyright.PENANA5fwmlPCqau
然後,聲音略顯沉啞的說:「他被轉到『黑房』了。」709Please respect copyright.PENANAgDav7VF8fC
709Please respect copyright.PENANACOj7yLKXb1
靜露瞪大眼瞠愣,心下一沉。709Please respect copyright.PENANAva4hGr9SOx
『黑房』,是隔絕聲音與光線的房間,乍聽之下有點像禁閉室,但她以前曾好奇去偷看過,那讓她想到叔叔相館裡洗照片的房間。709Please respect copyright.PENANARggI4OkNIf
709Please respect copyright.PENANASDCZh1Q583
以前那個地方被用來監禁感染者--也就是被殭屍病毒入侵後,有高度感染風險的人--觀察員可以從房間高處的窗口開縫察視感染者在裡面的活動,並判斷接下來的處置。709Please respect copyright.PENANA35fcEEwYjq
裡面的燈光非常幽黯,據說是為了要讓感染者放鬆精神,好提高觀察員判斷的準確度。但從以前到現在,真正從『黑房』走出來的人也沒幾個……709Please respect copyright.PENANAw48IMgj6S3
709Please respect copyright.PENANA3Czuk2OSKV
崔佛的抗體……八成……709Please respect copyright.PENANA6ErscUERI7
709Please respect copyright.PENANAHRZTgdH2S4
她沒有再費事跟布羅爭論,只跟在那高壯的身影後,回大屋與奈特會合。709Please respect copyright.PENANA5vCQdNKeaN
709Please respect copyright.PENANAAwQSO48RzJ
土瓮城到新雪梨之間,是將近1000公里的距離。709Please respect copyright.PENANA91s1D8nEaf
709Please respect copyright.PENANAS07tV0bNQn
「我們不能開車去。」奈特說。709Please respect copyright.PENANAZplxfQiRgO
車輛是極重要的資產,他們有可能在那個大都市待到年底,萬一被偷或壞了,那可是得不償失;反倒是他們回程的時候,有機會或許可以買部車回土瓮。709Please respect copyright.PENANAOyDgfrTFRM
709Please respect copyright.PENANAEgDpzIbbCA
「也不可能騎馬。」布羅說。709Please respect copyright.PENANAICDCxmQKAK
馬匹雖然不像車引擎的聲音會被殭屍注意,但若被殭屍看到馬背上的人可就糟了。平時,在土瓮城周邊騎馬巡視什麼的,是極安全又簡單的事,但這可是近千里的長征,馬匹體力的消耗,絕對會是他們安危的致命傷。709Please respect copyright.PENANAWGtBBrRpmk
709Please respect copyright.PENANA3c8FLhfxS2
靜露想起以前在某部知名殭屍片中,看過騎腳踏車平安繞過殭屍群而不被發現的劇情……但她馬上在奈特與布羅看白癡般的眼神下,閉上嘴巴,乖乖聽從他們的結論。709Please respect copyright.PENANAR5T9caAkYm
709Please respect copyright.PENANAHoLm1azXPR
他們徒步。709Please respect copyright.PENANAFmqh8jYLbf
709Please respect copyright.PENANApFfgx7Qqt1
709Please respect copyright.PENANATfy4bbJcyW
709Please respect copyright.PENANAepuK49u3xX
709Please respect copyright.PENANAxFcSjs4nnL
709Please respect copyright.PENANAkkRUNg1Cik
全身上下的裝備足足超過十公斤。709Please respect copyright.PENANAp09C48mqHo
在盛夏炎陽的脅迫下,他們只能趁清晨與黃昏的時候,避開舊人類的遺址區域行動。每天有八小時的時間移動,正午與夜晚就到樹上藏匿休息,幸運一點的時候,他們會找到荒野間的荒廢小屋,但他們都擠在閣樓或地下室睡覺,並輪流看守安全。709Please respect copyright.PENANAjHbzIlH7PO
今天傍晚,他們在一片荒廢的農場中找到還算堅固的穀倉。709Please respect copyright.PENANAdKQSr451x0
709Please respect copyright.PENANA7GGtf28XqQ
「還滿乾淨的嘛!」靜露撥開掛在門上滿滿的藤蔓,查看裡面的狀況。709Please respect copyright.PENANA18E9UH0QoY
709Please respect copyright.PENANAbmeCOZcEky
接下來,就是勇者時間了。709Please respect copyright.PENANAl1I0xPVtEZ
709Please respect copyright.PENANAfQDDtuuSzV
他們確認附近沒有立即性的危險後,馬上將大門關上鎖好,並確認窗戶都被封死後,開始翻箱倒櫃,蒐集任何可利用的東西。709Please respect copyright.PENANATsYd0U8ekZ
709Please respect copyright.PENANAUmtHsNpsOV
「這機器不行了,」布羅翻弄著一件破損頗嚴重的機械。709Please respect copyright.PENANAtrzo4W74y1
709Please respect copyright.PENANAKjlLMVWLWh
「拆光它,把零件帶到那邊去賣。」奈特從箱子裡面拉出一些帆布,他將布抖開,掛起來將透光的窗戶都蓋住。709Please respect copyright.PENANAvmA44KEP1e
709Please respect copyright.PENANAWZEBN56GzH
靜露拿竿子戳翻著乾草堆,一群小蜥蜴竄了出來,她面不改色的迅速衝上去抓了兩三隻,裝到袋子裡。709Please respect copyright.PENANAv18iQ0esor
「明天早餐可以加菜囉。」她搖一搖袋子,涼涼的說。709Please respect copyright.PENANATcLkTtWMoR
709Please respect copyright.PENANARdh2LZHxti
已經打開工具箱,正在拆解值錢的金屬零件的布羅聽了咧開嘴笑,抬頭看靜露,搖搖頭說:「不用等到明天早上。」709Please respect copyright.PENANAzDZIHcoUYt
709Please respect copyright.PENANAzbYILUkv3f
「什麼意思?」709Please respect copyright.PENANAOyNBw0ugAh
709Please respect copyright.PENANANRf7PVHsGO
外頭突然傳來轟隆聲響。709Please respect copyright.PENANATAeB1soP65
709Please respect copyright.PENANAjcsEw8U4aI
「就是這個意思。」奈特說完,只聽見更大聲的轟轟聲壟罩了整個穀倉。709Please respect copyright.PENANAghjyHIjWQT
709Please respect copyright.PENANAXgudF3ZixI
下雨了。709Please respect copyright.PENANAgiv04laXlk
709Please respect copyright.PENANArBoYN4XrL6
靜露傻眼,剛剛他們進來的時候,外面天空還沒什麼雲,只有風比前幾天傍晚大了點,沒想到他們一進來,馬上就下大雨了,還打雷!709Please respect copyright.PENANAefb4rY2RDu
709Please respect copyright.PENANADX6IbRIvMI
『轟隆--』709Please respect copyright.PENANAt4W64xdYzP
震耳欲聾的雷聲不斷響起,鐵皮屋頂的穀倉內,更是被滂沱的大雨打得聽不見說話聲。709Please respect copyright.PENANANJuHo7KZfs
這種時候,殭屍大多會聚集在人類舊城附近躲雨,他們待在曠野反而安全;而且這種雷雨之夜,生火也不太會被注意。709Please respect copyright.PENANA2rfImsU57A
709Please respect copyright.PENANAlntl6zZOoI
靜露正準備生火時奈特在櫃子裡發現一盒火柴。709Please respect copyright.PENANAuTnYS9M10C
「真方便,」她咕噥著一邊點火,「早知道剛剛就多抓幾隻,好幾天沒吃熱的東西了……」709Please respect copyright.PENANAU9tVcvvidL
709Please respect copyright.PENANA5RXLxdGDHY
他們離開土瓮城已經十五天了。709Please respect copyright.PENANAqpeY0uLob0
每天都吃樹上的果實或硬梆梆的乾糧果腹,今天終於能吃肉,沒有什麼比這更幸福的事了--只差沒有鹽巴調味而已。709Please respect copyright.PENANAr14qG8KkwV
709Please respect copyright.PENANAkUJyGN7xmV
布羅靈巧的大手將穀倉內他們翻到大東西全部解體,蒐集到的金屬整整有一大袋;奈特到外頭接了乾淨的雨水進來,將蜥蜴的內臟掏出來洗乾淨,用砂土將血水掩蓋掉後,連皮一起放在火上烤;靜露則顧著火堆,時不時丟個木柴或乾草進去燒。709Please respect copyright.PENANAwSjdyt95rE
709Please respect copyright.PENANAuNAPKSLfix
已經入夜,雖然滂沱的雷雨持續下著,他們仍訓練有素的將交談的機會降到最低。不一會兒,三串蜥蜴都熟了,他們團團坐下,沉默地咀嚼晚餐。709Please respect copyright.PENANAwTJWZIb9Ig
709Please respect copyright.PENANAPVw9BrkVBD
撥開皮後,鮮嫩多汁的蜥蜴肉就在裡頭,吃起來跟雞肉有點像,不過沒有調味,所以隱約有點腥味……等她錢存夠了,就跟菈瑞兒他們集資開個餐館吧,只要弄到茶葉什麼的,也可以賣飲料,她搞不好還可以假裝意外發現奶茶,然後再假裝意外發現樹薯粉,再這邊賣珍珠奶茶……唔,如果有錢可以買地,她就養雞,然後賣炸雞排好了……靜露一邊嚼著嘴裡的東西,一邊天馬行空的打如意算盤。709Please respect copyright.PENANAH15mQWE3MD
709Please respect copyright.PENANAfWlg0L7SB5
『喀嚓』一聲異響,她回神,看見奈特不知何時已將十字弩架在手上,瞄準大門的方向。709Please respect copyright.PENANA5bhXcBB4mx
709Please respect copyright.PENANAicyHBjfy0q
「???!」發生了什麼事!?她緊張了起來,看向布羅。709Please respect copyright.PENANAehrIyjFhz8
709Please respect copyright.PENANAAUzDOekp5K
布羅悄悄起身,用鐵桶將火堆蓋住,整個室內瞬間陷入黑暗。他抓著斧頭,神不知鬼不覺地摸到門邊,對靜露比了個手勢,她馬上會意過來,沿著門框輕巧攀上牆壁,用繩子將自己懸吊在梁上,攤開網子準備就緒;同時,奈特也已經躲到後方的乾草堆裡,將自己埋在裡面。709Please respect copyright.PENANA60cpy7XTEM
709Please respect copyright.PENANAEFGLlQnApZ
布羅手抓住門把,輕輕的將穀倉大門拉開,斧頭舉高準備隨時劈下。709Please respect copyright.PENANAGPQRmMTKEj
709Please respect copyright.PENANAG9nuxl8QBF
雷雨滂沱的門外,刺眼的閃電劃過眼前,隨即『轟隆--』一聲震耳欲聾的雷響,靜露頭皮發麻了一下,以為會有一整批的殭屍衝進門來。709Please respect copyright.PENANAC23YFUP9lp
709Please respect copyright.PENANAkkIi6auZKu
但沒有殭屍。709Please respect copyright.PENANAqgV80zOLbV
709Please respect copyright.PENANAi5XcSyUbZw
「嗨,可以借我躲個雨嗎?我快冷斃了。」709Please respect copyright.PENANAFktOyZ9xuy
709Please respect copyright.PENANAoYsv7aduCu
雷鬼頭、大鬍子、寬鬆的衣服和破爛爛的牛仔褲。709Please respect copyright.PENANAp2wzdrv0wn
大鬍子摩頓咧嘴笑了笑,對著倒吊的靜露揮手,「嗨!需要幫忙嗎?」709Please respect copyright.PENANAiVoRfsQEup
709Please respect copyright.PENANAWnArIEDIc2
靜露一臉癡呆的搖搖頭。709Please respect copyright.PENANAIlokG99oy2
709Please respect copyright.PENANAXCfXU4hD8X
他大喇喇地走進來。709Please respect copyright.PENANAeIThI40als
「噢不,別告訴我你們把火熄了。」他說著,一臉失望地看著倒扣的鐵桶。709Please respect copyright.PENANAikbtbC2yAJ
709Please respect copyright.PENANAWae9x49Ihu
「這種程度不會熄的。」布羅已經關上門,微笑著走過來將桶子挪開,室內瞬間又重現光明,「你什麼時候跟上來的?」709Please respect copyright.PENANAEiFebsZ5ha
709Please respect copyright.PENANAoP2ZeNvDVk
「大概五天前吧。」摩頓動作俐落地將上衣和褲子剝個精光,全身上下只剩內褲的一屁股坐下,「你什麼時候知道的?」709Please respect copyright.PENANAeXofQi9kP3
709Please respect copyright.PENANAgqPQlOwlCy
「差不多時間。」709Please respect copyright.PENANAuElGJ6MUeW
709Please respect copyright.PENANAZgV9ispvzX
摩頓訝異的挑眉,然後不懷好意的取笑:「喲,你比那邊的帥哥還行嘛!」他指指從草堆中爬出來的奈特,「我還以為要等到進新雪梨才會被發現呢。」709Please respect copyright.PENANAjvL8Pprvyn
709Please respect copyright.PENANAH1VcKrbV1f
奈特對摩頓的挑釁完全沒有任何反應,他面無表情的將身上的草屑拍乾淨,往靜露身邊坐下,剛好擋在靜露與摩頓中間。709Please respect copyright.PENANA5vnOpPIpwr
709Please respect copyright.PENANADRNIs1H0Op
摩頓見他一點動怒的跡象也沒,無趣的聳聳肩,然後突然想到什麼的拍了下大腿叫道:「噢對了,我帶了……伴手禮……」他解開綁在旁邊的一個麻布袋,拿出裡面裝著的東西,「喏,幫你們晚餐加菜,麻煩順便分我一份啦!」709Please respect copyright.PENANAdHctvi1l3u
709Please respect copyright.PENANAXSSx9Ua8Sg
那是一隻超肥超大隻的藍舌蜥蜴。709Please respect copyright.PENANAqt2LHN6K2U
709Please respect copyright.PENANAHoBTFrbb3x
靜露噗哧一聲笑出來。709Please respect copyright.PENANAsT58zijj9Q
709Please respect copyright.PENANAIgOOqBfwXU
「啊,」摩頓看到了他們丟在地上吃剩的蜥蜴頭,「看來這家子要在你們肚子裡團員囉!」709Please respect copyright.PENANAOulrY62Bak
709Please respect copyright.PENANAAhYsz8rCN4
709Please respect copyright.PENANAbcdqtcJ7pN
709Please respect copyright.PENANAyKHinXgdhe
709Please respect copyright.PENANA55qlf280Q7
709Please respect copyright.PENANAqnUga7FgpW
守夜的順序是布羅、摩頓、奈特、靜露。709Please respect copyright.PENANAHRjJ7tW4Re
709Please respect copyright.PENANALhsUbaO1D3
凌晨三點。709Please respect copyright.PENANAiq0lQfrm6n
當她拉出懷錶看時間的時候,發現奈特還是多讓她睡了一個小時。709Please respect copyright.PENANAyJRYPLqv1c
忍不住有些內疚,她將自己的披風蓋在奈特身上,起身活動筋骨。709Please respect copyright.PENANAmAHNn7kJav
709Please respect copyright.PENANAvL16YwiFtZ
現在雖然是夏天,但日夜溫差極大,到了半夜仍會冷得讓人受不了。摩頓不曉得從哪裡挖來了幾顆大石頭,放在火上燒,等火堆變小了,那些石頭依舊散發著宜人的溫度,溫暖著室內,讓大家能有效率的補充睡眠。709Please respect copyright.PENANAL4btSOuEUv
709Please respect copyright.PENANAewWTLK67HI
雨停了。709Please respect copyright.PENANAw108uurVpB
她俐落的爬到穀倉的梁上,爬到最上層的通風口,鑽到屋頂外,巡視建築物周遭的安全。709Please respect copyright.PENANASffcoMxuAX
709Please respect copyright.PENANASy6GvRowo9
月光亮得可以照得出影子,她看著褪色的紅皮屋頂上的自己。709Please respect copyright.PENANAgVpW0FyqV9
「新雪梨。妳還是第一次要走到離家那麼遠的地方耶……」她對影子低喃。709Please respect copyright.PENANA8zsLBhSsYQ
709Please respect copyright.PENANA8fjEWyCCn8
對了,『家』。709Please respect copyright.PENANAAW8u9uY6Q4
她從什麼時候開始覺得土瓮城是『家』了呢?709Please respect copyright.PENANAmdvhzEsGyc
709Please respect copyright.PENANAuIvbv5fiBw
從什麼時候開始,她已經沒有那麼想念爸媽、沒有想到咪咪和曉雯就哭、沒有再刻意提醒自己要找回家的路呢?709Please respect copyright.PENANADH8L0RTrFN
709Please respect copyright.PENANAp6hl6mr420
啊,可能是以前看咪咪的那些小說漫畫吧,感覺好像穿過去了都沒什麼機會回家的,所以她很早以前就放棄掙扎了,想說待下來也好,存錢夠了就申請退役去開小吃店,開心就營業不開心就關門,過閒閒的養老生活……709Please respect copyright.PENANACosMIMO3mY
709Please respect copyright.PENANAyz13tCH61Y
一股涼風吹了過來,她抖了一下,趕緊鑽回屋子裡。小心翼翼的將打結的頭髮梳開,她一邊任由思緒亂飄,一邊綁起複雜的麻花辮。709Please respect copyright.PENANAeS9vTg08Bz
709Please respect copyright.PENANA046XLaLtci
就這樣晃來晃去,東摸摸西碰碰,三不五時打個哈欠,再拆開辮子再綁起來,逼自己回想一下唐詩三百首打發時間……709Please respect copyright.PENANAdBtakGUb9O
709Please respect copyright.PENANA0DgAo050fQ
……垂死病中驚坐起,笑問客從何處來……怎麼好像怪怪的?很順口可是怪怪的,換一首好了,那個楊玉環的……709Please respect copyright.PENANANsYL1BKWzh
709Please respect copyright.PENANAcnI9SFH7R4
後宮佳麗三千人,鐵杵磨成繡花針……她皺眉,再換。709Please respect copyright.PENANAC2SRqeATwC
709Please respect copyright.PENANA6e78MUFqNt
將軍百戰死,還來就菊……嗯?嗯嗯??這應該是咪咪當年亂改的版本吧?!她怎麼突然連原版的都記不起來了!怎麼辦?古人們知道遙遠的未來,已經再也沒有人記得最經典的詩詞了嗎?她好歹曾經是文組前段班的耶?!709Please respect copyright.PENANAadkRnkxRVd
啊不過詩詞也不能當飯吃,算了。709Please respect copyright.PENANAE27vfivuPH
709Please respect copyright.PENANA3hrAUVEPzL
她放棄繼續傷害自己腦細胞時,凌晨四點也到了。709Please respect copyright.PENANAziEgm644sK
709Please respect copyright.PENANAzY7Ogdloq5
她走到布羅身邊蹲下來輕輕搖醒他。709Please respect copyright.PENANACC3lO99Xhn
布羅馬上睜眼,對她微笑道謝。709Please respect copyright.PENANA0PHHbJGDCq
那和煦的鄰家大哥微笑,每次都有辦法讓她也憨憨的跟著傻笑。709Please respect copyright.PENANAFwQLmch95i
「妳再去睡一下吧,四點半出發。」他說。709Please respect copyright.PENANAsb7sA2GeJN
709Please respect copyright.PENANAuUTNLfHn8j
「嗯。」她點點頭,沒客氣地走回奈特身邊準備躺下。709Please respect copyright.PENANAI4wY9p9V7t
709Please respect copyright.PENANAEZQOHA7hyc
布羅這時卻走到她身邊,俯身下來對她悄悄說:709Please respect copyright.PENANAdmDqpAmHdb
「是奈特提醒的。」709Please respect copyright.PENANAANCt1AxWiB
709Please respect copyright.PENANALnQfFjlOZe
「什麼?」她沒聽懂。709Please respect copyright.PENANAruR2KRYRrT
709Please respect copyright.PENANACLEkXiYpMT
「那傢伙。」他大拇指比了比睡在對面的摩頓,「最先發現的不是我,是奈特。」709Please respect copyright.PENANAmZlW4B9amP
709Please respect copyright.PENANA8g0nC3BxWs
「喔……我……」靜露看著布羅滿是善意的溫和雙眼,不知該作何回應,「嗯……謝謝你跟我說……?」她硬擠出一個笑容。709Please respect copyright.PENANACYIQDcnk29
709Please respect copyright.PENANApsPRg4fe62
布羅滿意的再咧嘴微笑,然後食指放在唇上,對她比了個祕密的手勢,這才起身走開。709Please respect copyright.PENANAw1b197eptg
709Please respect copyright.PENANAOsHgMY7fXz
她看著那渾身肌肉的猛男鄰家大哥背影,安心的闔上眼。709Please respect copyright.PENANAkG9NSaDUhd
709Please respect copyright.PENANAd3Og2S8hQR
709Please respect copyright.PENANAr7IQ6LGsaT
709Please respect copyright.PENANAPtj4XxnlCy
709Please respect copyright.PENANAPthSRwDYqo