46Please respect copyright.PENANA5l4494t0Yk
殺了那三個怪物之後,他們就朝它們來的方向前進,一路上他們遇到幾個像是儲物室的地方,可是沒有任何卡萊爾的線索,事實上,他們來的走廊根本空無一人。46Please respect copyright.PENANAEwEhlrhsEO
46Please respect copyright.PENANAEfwVEhMmSR
他們遇到了三隻......卡萊爾會遇到多少?他一個人能應付嗎?這裡還有多少那種怪物?46Please respect copyright.PENANAbD6Tb7BKoW
46Please respect copyright.PENANAqhZC8J1TXl
克里斯越想越著急,知道這裡的危險之後,他的不安就隨著無法掌握到任何有關少年的行蹤而漸漸擴大。46Please respect copyright.PENANARFtuNf4T3D
46Please respect copyright.PENANAoOmVhEgptV
「......你說那些東西會是什麼?我總覺得它們看起來像是屍體......但屍體怎麼會動呢......」跑在他側後方的雪莉問。46Please respect copyright.PENANAvPG6qW8LvL
46Please respect copyright.PENANA3xXXLumft1
雖然這些問題克里斯一個也沒辦法回答,不過現在能有其他事情來讓他轉移越來越躁亂的心情,他可是歡迎不已。46Please respect copyright.PENANAoqpKG7psHf
46Please respect copyright.PENANAfRNZsDeTXa
「如果我知道就好了。」他說:「這恐怕只有創造它們的人能回答......天知道這些東西會有多少,他們弄出這玩意兒來到底想幹什麼......」46Please respect copyright.PENANAsukLRzVaEq
46Please respect copyright.PENANA1SzUAiQeBo
雪莉心裡突然浮現一個令人恐懼的念頭,「那些血!」她突然輕聲叫起來,「霧河裡的那個屍體和那些血!你想會不會和這一切有關?」46Please respect copyright.PENANA7mGtiKnDc0
46Please respect copyright.PENANAyvNQfp7Kve
克里斯猛然停下腳步,他臉色鐵青,沒有回話。雪莉也抿著唇,一語不發地看著男人。46Please respect copyright.PENANAZMnweScMJP
46Please respect copyright.PENANATXnqRAyOnL
良久,褐髮男人才動了動嘴唇——「我們還是快點找到人吧。」也許卡萊爾能解釋這一切。46Please respect copyright.PENANADZFCxxrLXU
46Please respect copyright.PENANAofi2L1NHOQ
黑髮女性沒有說話,不過神情裡已經表現出無聲的同意。他們再次邁開步伐往前走。可沒走幾步,克里斯就停了下來。46Please respect copyright.PENANAtOn4hl0G9O
46Please respect copyright.PENANAm4tg5MFo6Z
「什麼聲音?」他似乎聽到有什麼微弱的敲擊聲,從不知道哪裡傳來......46Please respect copyright.PENANAXJGDQJEpiy
46Please respect copyright.PENANAXsbnVVHt8S
但他四下張望,沒有看到任何可能發出聲音的東西。46Please respect copyright.PENANA4R4GEYJdsK
46Please respect copyright.PENANAzuJX1y1jWU
「克里斯?」雪莉疑惑地望著他,催促,「快走啊?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAavsOf0kmId
46Please respect copyright.PENANAx34HXVZOy2
就在他打算順應她的要求,跟上她的腳步時,那個聲音又再一次響起。46Please respect copyright.PENANAgilh6NgYcY
46Please respect copyright.PENANA6vMgwoFcsA
「妳聽到了嗎?」克里斯拉住想往前走的同伴,「有個聲音,就在這附近。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAsxuL8WRFGG
46Please respect copyright.PENANA5nPu2ykCHR
「什麼?」雪莉回過頭來,但她什麼也沒聽見,「我什麼也沒聽見......」46Please respect copyright.PENANA6cU6MqZQ0S
46Please respect copyright.PENANA7F2jH0OFM5
「不──一定有什麼......聽!」克里斯低呼一聲。46Please respect copyright.PENANApyYCP4BWiO
46Please respect copyright.PENANAqbunRJUOby
這次雪莉也聽見了,那聲音像是從牆壁裡傳來的,雖然微弱,但的確是有韻律的敲擊聲。46Please respect copyright.PENANAGV0rTI44wE
46Please respect copyright.PENANAqD5RPgdTCf
「這是誰......」雪莉還沒提出她的疑問,克里斯已先她一步敲打起牆壁。46Please respect copyright.PENANAgTtKRpqFDL
46Please respect copyright.PENANAChPEjY2Lkq
「卡萊爾──」他低喊——這是直覺,他就是知道——克里斯持續敲打牆壁,直到他聽見同樣的敲擊回應,「卡萊爾,是你嗎?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAPXKvaFMLb0
46Please respect copyright.PENANAE48C7BuAkR
「等等──克里斯特,你太草率了──」46Please respect copyright.PENANAGZigpwTlp9
46Please respect copyright.PENANAbcueXi5yFU
但真的有回應。46Please respect copyright.PENANAuaHZT6Z1iT
46Please respect copyright.PENANAcwFwL2jiOH
「......克里斯......」牆裡傳來微弱,但還是保有那獨特韻律的少年聲音。他呼喊克里斯名字的調子是那麼特別,克里斯絕不會錯認。46Please respect copyright.PENANAWtb19lYLsu
46Please respect copyright.PENANA0cPlAnHGUE
「卡萊爾!」46Please respect copyright.PENANAmmUTb0lIK3
46Please respect copyright.PENANAAqLoH7u4F9
「喔!」雪莉低呼,也湊上前,「卡萊爾,你在哪裡?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAuToS2Q28Ae
46Please respect copyright.PENANAvpI2xsSxJ0
「......這裡有些通道。」少年說,他略顯虛弱的聲音透過牆壁,更加難以辨明,不過他們還是將耳朵貼在牆上,仔細聆聽他的每一個字。46Please respect copyright.PENANAECFfNbhKvg
46Please respect copyright.PENANAxQ3YkJm5x2
「──從聖堂的墓穴裡出來,也許是建造時留下給封墓人離開的通道......」46Please respect copyright.PENANArXvZxYcYow
46Please respect copyright.PENANAwE4xwBzV9e
雪莉立刻問:「這通道的方向是朝哪的?順著牆,還是垂直?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAAeNINeK1x3
46Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8tD6vsGLm
「垂直......」46Please respect copyright.PENANA2HLrSTgvXW
46Please respect copyright.PENANA23dd5eiXOn
「那你往後退開,孩子。」她說,拔出匕首來,用力捅進磚與磚的縫隙中。鋒利的尖端在土泥填滿的磚縫間留下一道刻痕46Please respect copyright.PENANATXNUO3Tj09
46Please respect copyright.PENANA8fgXlkOFTK
「妳想做什麼?」克里斯問。46Please respect copyright.PENANAxzni58a0nw
46Please respect copyright.PENANAYL4iGRu1O9
「炸開它。」雪莉邊說邊抽出匕首,再往另一塊磚邊刺。她重複刺了幾個小洞,然後從懷裡掏出一個小包裹打開,裡面是一搓黑色的粉末。46Please respect copyright.PENANAfYj0ZJK3jv
46Please respect copyright.PENANAYWwv5FhXWE
克里斯聞到它刺鼻的氣味,「火藥?妳怎麼會有這種東西?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAmWsuWVc9wL
46Please respect copyright.PENANAvk8jEODLZO
「你離開之後,我偶爾也有些危險的任務,這些小東西都習慣帶一些在身上。」雪莉輕鬆地說著,在每個洞裡都倒入一些火藥粉,而後將幾根引針插進磚泥裡。46Please respect copyright.PENANAuX6Zk7gUpH
46Please respect copyright.PENANAhd5RRoZV9G
「退開了嗎,卡萊爾?」她問。46Please respect copyright.PENANAWo6pEJftrM
46Please respect copyright.PENANAFTsvqqHik6
牆壁裡沒有回音。46Please respect copyright.PENANAsGkdCUPqb4
46Please respect copyright.PENANAht5lGIG0yq
雪莉掏出火石和火柴,劃亮了它,在引針上點火。46Please respect copyright.PENANAzpELuzF39w
46Please respect copyright.PENANAvi7JXAWd37
「退開。」她拉著克里斯後退。46Please respect copyright.PENANAboIzhviJur
46Please respect copyright.PENANANul25sVGBp
轟隆聲響起。因為火藥份量不多,所以威力不大,不過對付這片並不太堅固的泥牆已經足夠。46Please respect copyright.PENANAqhswIoi7Yp
46Please respect copyright.PENANA7kTQBXIU5Z
從揚起的煙塵和炙人風浪中,他們看見被炸開的牆洞中有一條長且深的隧道,高度不高,成年人得彎著身體才能通過。46Please respect copyright.PENANAHKYUb9AK4p
46Please respect copyright.PENANAXLQdESFfsU
而在不遠處,有一道蜷縮似的身影。46Please respect copyright.PENANA3I9jvx5ea8
46Please respect copyright.PENANAehtXMg0w4E
「卡萊爾──」克里斯率先跑過去,爬進入口仍燃著火星的通道,來到正咳嗽的少年身邊。46Please respect copyright.PENANAogOJn03QKD
46Please respect copyright.PENANAlTDSkuajyq
卡萊爾抬頭看著來到身邊的男人,他的臉色有些蒼白,神情疲憊,身上不少地方都有擦傷,但他還是對臉色看起來比他還難看的男人露出笑容。46Please respect copyright.PENANA6XJXmGmrF2
46Please respect copyright.PENANAH8RpDneqL6
「嘿。」他說,雖然有些虛弱,可是聲音依然輕快,「我沒想到你會來......」46Please respect copyright.PENANAIXGvPtDisS
46Please respect copyright.PENANARFAvtBg2C6
但無論是卡萊爾的揶揄,或是從後面趕上來的雪莉的驚呼,都消失在克里斯的一個動作裡──46Please respect copyright.PENANAd1898Ltf1z
46Please respect copyright.PENANAqXN6oABMhJ
他狠狠地、幾乎用盡全身力氣的抱住虛弱的少年。46Please respect copyright.PENANANRODPBJAMH
46Please respect copyright.PENANAuRCR1FQmRD
把這個孩子整個人納入懷裡、手臂護衛似地圈緊,將他的頭按在自己胸膛上,讓他全身都在自己的保護下。46Please respect copyright.PENANAp3fZBbhbs9
46Please respect copyright.PENANAeUXglSmoFK
克里斯在顫抖。卡萊爾能感覺到,還有耳邊擂鼓似的心跳以及男人熱切的體溫。他一直僵硬的四肢突然放鬆下來,癱在對方懷裡。而且,不知道為什麼,他覺得臉有些燙......46Please respect copyright.PENANABGkDalBGko
46Please respect copyright.PENANAlPUl4GPyYn
「你這蠢蛋──難道你不知道這有多危險嗎──」克里斯在他頸側大罵著,激動又壓抑的聲音響在耳邊,而他說話時灼熱潮濕的氣息燙著他的皮膚。46Please respect copyright.PENANAVESLZKijXO
46Please respect copyright.PENANA4m5rhpGc2J
卡萊爾覺得自己一定臉紅了──但不知道是被這人熾熱的體溫燙的,還是被他每說一個字就更加緊一分的擁抱壓迫的,或是還有其他原因。46Please respect copyright.PENANAuZ60KVuDwT
46Please respect copyright.PENANArJY5ugMjhA
總之,他吶吶地難以開口辯駁克里斯對他的指控。46Please respect copyright.PENANAoqvPm1zm6v
46Please respect copyright.PENANAgBRG69lMPI
「──防範不足,也沒有安排後援──你有沒有想過萬一出事了會怎麼樣?」46Please respect copyright.PENANATra7ZCEEPj
46Please respect copyright.PENANA348VayKAuV
「......我......反正你現在不是在這裡......」一貫的伶牙俐齒像是離他而去似的,卡萊爾一句有力的反駁都說不出來,最後只能說出這種樣是硬拗的拙劣回應,而這令克里斯略顯訝異地鬆開他一點,灰色眼睛盯著他看。46Please respect copyright.PENANAYBaLLL2k1N
46Please respect copyright.PENANAKTIKhvk2YO
「你覺得還好嗎?」男人問他,「那兒不舒服?」46Please respect copyright.PENANABBwUscolLn
46Please respect copyright.PENANAzCMv21dutO
「我很好──」脫離了那令人窒息的懷抱,卡萊爾似乎終於找回一點平常的冷靜,「只是有點擦傷......」他推開克里斯,身體往旁邊挪了挪,想離男人太過溫暖的身體遠一些。46Please respect copyright.PENANAKMg2Tc0J5F
46Please respect copyright.PENANAzjkCWDWj4u
而克里斯始終用探詢的眼神盯著他,上下打量,最後他嘆氣,「好吧,沒事就好。」他說:「我們得快點離開這裡。剛才爆炸的聲音一定會引人來查看,而且這裡還有那些怪物──」46Please respect copyright.PENANApBhX7QXGe5
46Please respect copyright.PENANAgDD0lD0El2
「你們遇見那些怪物了?」卡萊爾抬起頭,盯著他。46Please respect copyright.PENANA7SNNhHYB6M
46Please respect copyright.PENANALehhulG1m3
雪莉代替克里斯回答:「不久前我們殺了三個,放火燒掉。」她說完,又問:「你是來這裡調查這些東西的?這裡是它們的大本營?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAaBCVIZhEdt
46Please respect copyright.PENANAtrRwu3mtVr
少年點點頭,「我想你們不巧遇見那個惡魔放出他的寵物來搜索我......幸好那堆寄生者爬不進密道裡......」46Please respect copyright.PENANA0RS7vfDGYP
46Please respect copyright.PENANAMFrodAai3M
卡萊爾在克里斯的扶持下來到通道出口坐下,他盡量簡潔但清楚的將自己知道的事情、潛入這地方發現的事告訴他們。46Please respect copyright.PENANAjeMZgiS9Lp
46Please respect copyright.PENANAFxkx9eShH7
他看見雪莉壓抑著驚訝而有些扭曲的表情,以及克里斯靠著他、支撐著他的背脊一下子僵硬,那是震驚造成的。46Please respect copyright.PENANAn24rkqFnvx
46Please respect copyright.PENANAG2JVcHTegF
「你認為他們把蟲苗都投入霧河裡了?」克里斯問。46Please respect copyright.PENANAyR5wWc3dFC
46Please respect copyright.PENANAmvo7ng3tZe
卡萊爾沒說話,他點頭。感覺到這動作的男人猛一拳搥上牆壁,「卑劣的惡魔──」46Please respect copyright.PENANAdhKXGwOMOQ
46Please respect copyright.PENANAJPNsbLCqTQ
「那些蟲子......以人為食?」雪莉的聲音聽起來就像她快要吐了,「上帝啊......」46Please respect copyright.PENANA2Zbc9oNDTN
46Please respect copyright.PENANAAcUw2vTyGl
卡萊爾冷冷地道:「我就說這和教會有關──」46Please respect copyright.PENANAbeqsXuDBzY
46Please respect copyright.PENANAri07SfytzU
「好了,這些我們離開後多的是時間談。」克里斯打斷他,「我們現在該做的是快點離開這裡——我們可以從進來的地方離開......」46Please respect copyright.PENANAKGGTafPYcH
46Please respect copyright.PENANAT8ON5YQpGX
克里斯對雪莉說,然後他們兩個一左一右地想將虛弱的少年扶起來。46Please respect copyright.PENANA8KvzzWBy6y
46Please respect copyright.PENANA6iHRldtgXb
「不──不能就這樣離開!」卡萊爾搖頭,「那些怪物──不能讓它們離開這裡......如果奧格羅斯知道我們逃了......如果那些幕後黑手知道他們的祕密被發現了,他們一定會利用這些寄生者做什麼......還有,我們也需要解藥,不然那些被寄生的平民怎麼辦......如果我們現在離開了,可能就永遠也找不到方法了......」46Please respect copyright.PENANAueOYTzlWTB
46Please respect copyright.PENANAIgLCIO4QJa
兩人面面相覷,而後克里斯問:「那個解藥有可能在哪?或是可以從哪裡得知?」從他的語氣聽來,他們冷靜且迅速地接納了卡萊爾的意見,這令少年欣慰。46Please respect copyright.PENANAJJDz8SDFJ0
46Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ji3bZn49P
「我不知道。」卡萊爾搖頭,道:「他的實驗室看起來什麼都沒有,如果那個叫奧格羅斯的傢伙有什麼筆記的話,肯定不會在那。」46Please respect copyright.PENANACCeQSSC8if
46Please respect copyright.PENANATWSrV5rrBR
「直接逼他說。」雪莉提議,「最快的方法。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAysge5zIC3C
46Please respect copyright.PENANACt1wxS1D0A
「那我們得快點找到他。」克里斯說。46Please respect copyright.PENANAW4AdKYTQdr
46Please respect copyright.PENANAa1sgdOmpvv
「最好分頭進行,別忘了那些怪物,它們現在還在下面亂跑,如果闖上來就糟了──可是我們得用什麼方法才能把它們一次消滅?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAsH9sFc3ZIB
46Please respect copyright.PENANA26HjTVvzl0
「用火。」卡萊爾在雪莉看向自己的時候說:「蟲子怕火,得把被寄生的屍體也一起燒掉才行。」46Please respect copyright.PENANA9ceQGjxTt0
46Please respect copyright.PENANAmbl6C0stih
「我有火藥。」雪莉露出困擾的表情,「但那麼一點量不夠。」46Please respect copyright.PENANABRo7T1nkTM
46Please respect copyright.PENANAxkpu5vnNKz
「我在來的時候,在更下層的地窖裡有看到硫磺,還有燈油。」卡萊爾靈機一動,「可以用它們設個陷阱。」46Please respect copyright.PENANARVjApzEBZi
46Please respect copyright.PENANADz8hLEvvca
他從地上撿起石塊,用它在因爆炸而積滿泥灰的地面上簡單畫出這段時間裡,他在這裡偷偷探險而得知的建築簡圖。46Please respect copyright.PENANAMDhHV0hn4A
46Please respect copyright.PENANAQvxVtdjuBR
「這裡的地勢一定是西高東低——這是支流的流向......所以我們可以從這座墓穴的通風口下手,有些地方人進不去,但我猜它們是放射狀分布,以這幾個墓穴為中心點......46Please respect copyright.PENANAVQma0kfWjO
46Please respect copyright.PENANAlFuiLiGrS8
「我們得從外圍放火把它們逼出來......然後我們可以在墓穴裡困死它們。」他說完,抬頭看著另外兩人。46Please respect copyright.PENANAAItmbC9U4z
46Please respect copyright.PENANAzIYBdxt6v1
「——聽起來挺冒險。」雪莉說,但她隨即換上同意的語氣,「我想你們兩位男士應該不會要我去搬燈油吧,我想你們會願意把那個卑劣的煉金術士交給我......」46Please respect copyright.PENANAjrhuMP7MNM
46Please respect copyright.PENANAeYtJrCWkYD
「反正妳也不會配製火藥。」克里斯直起身,「放火這件事由我去辦——卡萊爾......」46Please respect copyright.PENANAsnFsnDN5rW
46Please respect copyright.PENANASGHuWnVLQa
「他跟你去。」雪莉搶在他之前說:「卡萊爾才知道這裡的地形。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAnjwlDzpvPL
46Please respect copyright.PENANAqorSAIyE9Z
「但妳只有一個人。」金髮少年不贊同的皺眉,「那傢伙現在一定把他所有可以用的寄生者都聚集到他身邊,妳會很危險。」46Please respect copyright.PENANA8uyZLsizeu
46Please respect copyright.PENANA8KaVFCrYsh
但她對卡萊爾的擔憂表現得不以為意,「啊,總是有辦法解決的。」她從腰帶上解下一個小包,裡面有好幾份用紙包好的火藥和引針。她拿了幾包,剩下的全部給了克里斯。46Please respect copyright.PENANAWr6lZ8egBd
46Please respect copyright.PENANAOWroVutclq
就在她輕快地轉身,打算去執行她的任務時,卡萊爾突然抓住她的手。46Please respect copyright.PENANATmPXD2c3C2
46Please respect copyright.PENANAtYBX4q5r0G
雪莉回頭,淺藍色眼睛對上他晴空似的眸,她露出一個笑容,安撫性的,「怎麼了?」46Please respect copyright.PENANATss9TKI48Y
46Please respect copyright.PENANA9GgtQG6J2p
「愛迪生在這裡。」卡萊爾看著她說。46Please respect copyright.PENANAmjkrlmat9B
46Please respect copyright.PENANAmGn0P4mlz1
雪莉的臉龐亮了起來,但瞬間,她就意識到少年這麼說話的原因,於是那抹光彩從她的表情上消失。46Please respect copyright.PENANA7jVY6qpxeT
46Please respect copyright.PENANAIZa3mr2xiD
「——他怎麼了?」她用平穩的聲音問。46Please respect copyright.PENANAwssioM5XMS
46Please respect copyright.PENANAMZpuvONQEk
「他死了。」卡萊爾說,他沉默的垂下臉,視線落在克里斯肩上。「——他很勇敢,而且堅強。」46Please respect copyright.PENANApF4wNEQC5R
46Please respect copyright.PENANASE1lrj2SrM
卡萊爾不知道這句補充能帶給眼前的女性多大的安慰,連克里斯也是第一次看見,雪莉似乎永遠平靜安穩的臉龐出現了裂縫,她在那瞬間的動搖透過眼睛傳遞出來。46Please respect copyright.PENANAjNzQtotevS
46Please respect copyright.PENANAm1vI3wVHAm
可她仍然深吸口氣,讓自己平靜,然後露出笑容,「......謝謝你,卡萊爾。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAjMyyL1ov9f
46Please respect copyright.PENANA5hSiGXMBYN
是和平常一樣的笑容。46Please respect copyright.PENANAXpSnqShktK
46Please respect copyright.PENANASfaeZRhTmP
「......」卡萊爾凝視了她一會,才低低說:「愛迪生有話要帶給妳。他說:『王權在黃金之上。』他說這句話非常重要——他是為了保護這消息而死的。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAB7lkYtFiLa
46Please respect copyright.PENANAN31rO2arvS
「他這麼說?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAx5qWojoJQJ
46Please respect copyright.PENANAlQMopT84gQ
「是的——想到什麼了嗎?這是什麼意思?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAJoGrXoqZUx
46Please respect copyright.PENANAR6WlUuaKWL
「金之王璽——為上帝賜予之權利......」雪莉喃喃自語。46Please respect copyright.PENANAmnk0uBd16D
46Please respect copyright.PENANAh9LIaMEfcB
「什麼?」46Please respect copyright.PENANANLqJYtrDDZ
46Please respect copyright.PENANAFF70QNwvZG
「那是一種說法,」克里斯告訴他,「紅之王冠代表成王之路的血腥;綠之王杖代表統御人民的慈祥;金之王璽——代表上帝賦予的王權。愛德華王鑄造這三樣東西時留下的傳說——你不知道嗎?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAuHoEeY0ida
46Please respect copyright.PENANAdr18cWVrOM
「我從小時候就離開這個國家了——」卡萊爾哼了聲。可他更加疑惑,「但這不是指同一件事嗎?王璽即為王權,即使沒看過它,我們也知道它是以黃金雕成的......」46Please respect copyright.PENANA8486BC5di7
46Please respect copyright.PENANAbOOy7cZ4dd
「我不知道。」克里斯說:「但我們可以等之後再討論這問題,現在我們有更要緊的事得作。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAgWCtx8vejT
46Please respect copyright.PENANAzKiS5dv7tM
三人的神情都變得嚴肅起來。是的,他們還有任務在身。46Please respect copyright.PENANAwmhWI3Iemg
46Please respect copyright.PENANAxsY5DarIPu
卡萊爾用克里斯告訴他的一些方向來判斷他們的所在地,將計畫裡的地點和路徑指給兩人看。他認為奧格羅斯太過膽小,一定會躲在他的實驗室裡,在層層護衛之下——雪莉得在那個方向製造些動亂引他出來。46Please respect copyright.PENANA844SqqbiTg
46Please respect copyright.PENANAgSqj3weFCv
「請小心,雪莉夫人。」在她轉過身,要和他們往不同方向前進的時候,卡萊爾小心翼翼地提醒。46Please respect copyright.PENANAlqGWKAud6c
46Please respect copyright.PENANATnwNu2MotK
嬌小的黑髮女性向他一點頭,而後大步離開。46Please respect copyright.PENANAnDPtAmjyRa
46Please respect copyright.PENANA5M3ttQLbpO
等那抹墨綠色的身影繞過轉角,離開他們的視線,克里斯才對卡萊爾說:「走吧。」46Please respect copyright.PENANArNxZTGL5s5
46Please respect copyright.PENANAdriopTzMvo
金髮少年有些不安地看了雪莉離去的方向一眼,才回頭跟上克里斯的腳步。46Please respect copyright.PENANAFiwFqQn2o9
46Please respect copyright.PENANArLoozwoIOa
他一開始還能跑在男人身邊,但很快的就落後下來。克里斯發現他似乎跑得有點吃力,立刻停下。46Please respect copyright.PENANAzHHXxwFo2Y
46Please respect copyright.PENANAxRWmHZghZM
「怎麼了?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAyyksgXe0g5
46Please respect copyright.PENANACmHDZQWzMg
「沒什麼......」卡萊爾搖搖頭,就要再往前走。可男人將他攔了下來,灰色眼睛不容抗辯地盯著他。46Please respect copyright.PENANA0Acgg8PDkl
46Please respect copyright.PENANAxE0fshdKwk
「說謊。」克里斯蹲下來,伸手捏住他的腳踝,令卡萊爾激烈地倒吸口氣。46Please respect copyright.PENANA4bMCeawFf0
46Please respect copyright.PENANAaDB6vucA4z
「──又在痛了?上次的傷根本還沒好?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAPGCf3GEsna
46Please respect copyright.PENANA0r91lOr9pS
卡萊爾眼神飄移著,就是不看他。46Please respect copyright.PENANAOyWbN64nCi
46Please respect copyright.PENANAALIs7GFUZc
但男人嚴厲地盯著他,毫不放鬆。46Please respect copyright.PENANArHcFdiBTI6
46Please respect copyright.PENANAzmzA2rRZvD
最後,卡萊爾妥協了。「好啦......是還沒有全好,但──」在那雙銳利雙眼無聲的責備下,他把那些無力的狡辯言詞吞了回去,「......我很抱歉。」46Please respect copyright.PENANA70mVz9nQx5
46Please respect copyright.PENANA9N1HNd023J
克里斯嘆了口氣,「你什麼時候才能把自己放在心上?」46Please respect copyright.PENANADrOqS0txN1
46Please respect copyright.PENANAEyhW3INtQ5
卡萊爾自知理虧,低著頭,沒說話。46Please respect copyright.PENANADreQXRtN2D
46Please respect copyright.PENANAYFVTwC5nwe
男人又嘆口氣,他維持蹲著的姿勢,轉過身,「趴上來,我背你。」46Please respect copyright.PENANA4cQsomrIF0
46Please respect copyright.PENANADS0AEeygbU
金髮少年的臉瞬間漲紅,「不用——只是有點痛,我可以......」46Please respect copyright.PENANACHxq5fbcZf
46Please respect copyright.PENANA2sT5iTU1TI
「你不可以!」克里斯打斷他,回頭瞪了他一眼,「別以為我看不出來,你現在很累、很虛弱,而現在不是逞強的時候。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAexm7h7djvV
46Please respect copyright.PENANAjjdk9EArlN
「我還是可以走!」卡萊爾堅持。46Please respect copyright.PENANAomrm5G5D74
46Please respect copyright.PENANAHScB2Nw2NR
「你當然可以,但何不把你最後的體力和忍耐留到需要它的時候?」克里斯厲聲道:「現在不准頂嘴!過來!」46Please respect copyright.PENANASmmQ4MwmDz
46Please respect copyright.PENANA3J9xDp8YUr
「......」克里斯突然發火似乎嚇到了卡萊爾,他張了張嘴,想說些什麼,但最後還是沒說出來。46Please respect copyright.PENANANOY599sCcy
46Please respect copyright.PENANA4SJpvmsMpZ
少年咕噥著一些不情願的話,最後還是趴到男人背上,讓他將自己背起來,開始往前跑。46Please respect copyright.PENANAv6NRov9fcg
46Please respect copyright.PENANAF4CiYODP9H
男人的背部寬闊又溫暖,卡萊爾雙手環著他的頸,臉靠在他的肩上,他覺得自己好像能聽見克里斯即便在奔跑中也依然穩定的脈搏聲。46Please respect copyright.PENANAKMMiZRzpzx
46Please respect copyright.PENANAfKExFpkg4l
安心感從體內油然而生。46Please respect copyright.PENANAWFmSlazNyS
46Please respect copyright.PENANAmG0gn3YT8o
只有他自己知道,被困在這裡的幾天內,他有多麼不安。46Please respect copyright.PENANAcs1XarQSlZ
46Please respect copyright.PENANAsU4XgAQfGE
太多不確定因素、曾經目睹過的殘忍場面,和親眼見到人慢慢在眼前死去,一切都在折磨著他。令他恐懼——萬一他失敗了怎麼辦?萬一他沒有辦法出去把這裡的事情通知給其他人知道怎麼辦?46Please respect copyright.PENANAkXZMr9zLXg
46Please respect copyright.PENANAsETDbs2OA6
這段時間卡萊爾根本不敢想這些念頭,直覺地把它排除在思考之外。可是身體還是能感覺到、潛意識裡還是會恐慌......46Please respect copyright.PENANALeaxpW3c2T
46Please respect copyright.PENANAaGxyXZi28j
可他又突然想到——克里斯怎麼會出現在這裡?46Please respect copyright.PENANADJU8CMMsSH
46Please respect copyright.PENANA7EnVTtoXrP
「嘿!你為什麼會來?」他問,順道用腳尖踢踢克里斯的大腿,「在這裡右轉。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAgwv97IzcXt
46Please respect copyright.PENANAghqwlH8MLy
「你下次指方向就指方向,別踢我!我又不是馬!」克里斯不滿地抗議,沒好氣地說:「你說什麼為什麼?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAKTn8evykrm
46Please respect copyright.PENANA2wSexXVKH4
「你——你為什麼會跟雪莉夫人找到這裡......我是說.....我從來沒說過關於這裡的任何事......而且你不是不想攪進來嗎?」卡萊爾的聲音裡充滿濃重的疑惑。46Please respect copyright.PENANAzBofE3TL8J
46Please respect copyright.PENANAIu7US1A72N
「你不提,我都忘了我還沒教訓你——你這小鬼,以為自己是什麼人?一個人就敢潛進這種地方?」46Please respect copyright.PENANA6fDIkwfdFu
46Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5qE65kblo
克里斯的聲音裡有著卡萊爾從沒聽過的怒氣,而且是極具威嚴的那種,令他在他背上瑟縮了一下,本能地想要道歉——但他隨後想起:不是我在問問題嗎?46Please respect copyright.PENANAHl8nBnsLZg
46Please respect copyright.PENANAcSG65RvCl8
「喂!是我在發問,你別轉移話題!」他提高音量,像歌劇高音的質問,試圖虛張聲勢。46Please respect copyright.PENANAxplCtKcp77
46Please respect copyright.PENANABG41w3tQPo
像是看穿了他的把戲,克里斯的哼聲就像是警告稍後再算帳一樣,然後乾脆地轉換話題。「你該感謝你聰明的寵物。」他說。46Please respect copyright.PENANA2z0WhGRK7J
46Please respect copyright.PENANAxSAykEdZy1
「寵物?」卡萊爾露出一瞬間的疑惑表情,「啊,花兒和小影,牠們怎麼了?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAXF57MlMdQz
46Please respect copyright.PENANAOsB91tHC24
「牠們自己飛回去找林奇,花兒又來找我——我不知道你是怎麼交代你那些手下的,他們因為有一個人遇害而鬧得不可開交,所以我只好來找你。你得慶幸我這段時間剛好在忙教廷財產的清算工作,能夠迅速地發現你那些零散線索間的關連。」克里斯沒好氣地補充了後面那一句。46Please respect copyright.PENANAw4HL8ki8QL
46Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZtEYdJCSj
「喔,我都忘了,牠們很少離開我整天——」卡萊爾似乎顯得有些擔心。46Please respect copyright.PENANALlXBVx2nLc
46Please respect copyright.PENANAKN6VGtjJyI
「牠們都還好好的,就在外面等,只要平安離開這裡你就能見到牠們。」克里斯說,語氣聽起來安慰成份居多。46Please respect copyright.PENANAF4C508Ow8O
46Please respect copyright.PENANAydRiccEtcy
在卡萊爾的印象裡,他很少用這種口氣對他說話。他有些驚訝於男人的態度,趴在他肩膀上一語不發。46Please respect copyright.PENANAIgmFKY7XsF
46Please respect copyright.PENANAa0y7q0ciGd
察覺他異常的沉默,克里斯以為他還在擔心他的寵物,又放低聲音叫他。「......卡萊爾?」46Please respect copyright.PENANApmGqXVTW8r
46Please respect copyright.PENANAyGLTFZ3827
這讓少年再次驗證了男人對他的謹慎——他突然有種豁然開朗的感覺。46Please respect copyright.PENANAV0USjckMtQ
46Please respect copyright.PENANABXNE5WWZ4p
在行動前一晚,他對著月亮詢問的那些問題,雖然他覺得自己還沒有找到明確的答案,可是他從這些聲音裡找到了端倪——卡萊爾想:他是真的在乎這個人,希望對方也在乎自己——46Please respect copyright.PENANA5hpTn9tWz2
46Please respect copyright.PENANACl0c8qUF71
而那些語氣,還有克里斯不經意透露的線索讓他察覺了這些。46Please respect copyright.PENANAkHZ54UxPgF
46Please respect copyright.PENANAGi9UgFc3nA
「......為了找我?」卡萊爾的聲音裡有些小心翼翼的欣喜,「所以......為了我?」46Please respect copyright.PENANAQO5UsKFoVq
46Please respect copyright.PENANAjDMI3kzeqN
「那又怎樣!」男人惡狠狠地回應。46Please respect copyright.PENANAZHHGx8RaqO
46Please respect copyright.PENANAlTjF8FOdw7
「嗯哼,不怎樣。」卡萊爾哼了哼,聲音像長了翅膀一樣輕快。46Please respect copyright.PENANAFIQsuWszqb
46Please respect copyright.PENANA6sO0WvhuKf
不知道為什麼,這讓克里斯有種把柄被捏在少年手上的不祥預感。於是乾脆閉嘴不說話。46Please respect copyright.PENANAv09d4XHh6H
46Please respect copyright.PENANA2ssmGC04Mi
而卡萊爾對他的沉默並不以為意,他還沉浸在自己的心情裡,雙腳有一下沒一下地輕晃。不過說真的,對少年的好心情,克里斯也覺得欣慰。46Please respect copyright.PENANA9Q1Y3xqkLN
46Please respect copyright.PENANARZJslL289r
他就該像陽光一樣燦爛輕快,這才是最適合他的,而不是擔心的嘆氣和小心翼翼的說話,更不該是蒼白、狼狽的模樣。他想。46Please respect copyright.PENANAVwDVyAAMiz
46Please respect copyright.PENANAg8c1P4QYmx
「我們到了。」金髮少年用腳尖踢他的腿,告訴克里斯他該停下了。46Please respect copyright.PENANAJpHFcBM8fy
46Please respect copyright.PENANAsA72dzm3WM
這條走廊上很短,只有盡頭有扇門。克里斯不用費力猜就知道那是他們的目的地,他走過去,把卡萊爾在門前放下,仔細看著他站穩、確定他的腳沒有任何問題,這才轉頭過去開門。46Please respect copyright.PENANA8f72HcliwM
46Please respect copyright.PENANA7v91HmcDhf
「我從裡面出來的,這裡的下水道和蘭登河的支流相連。」卡萊爾告訴他,「門沒有鎖——如果在我出來之後沒人去碰它的話。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAs3kcKwNTeB
46Please respect copyright.PENANAxRylbz2NpE
的確沒人去碰它。46Please respect copyright.PENANAjhL8JwRinU
46Please respect copyright.PENANAyEsv14YAmM
克里斯才輕輕推了它一下,這扇陳舊的木門就應聲而開。46Please respect copyright.PENANAqWbg3tZ9Ro
46Please respect copyright.PENANAtmlIaqbg58
他們順著樓梯踏進臨水的地窖,克里斯打量著這裡的木柴、硫黃和燈油。46Please respect copyright.PENANA6xyEYTlvnW
46Please respect copyright.PENANAHsbWBqD0lA
「之前我挺好奇為什麼他們需要這麼多硫黃,現在我知道了。」卡萊爾哼了聲,好像光想起這件事就會讓他難以忍受。「拿來營造那些蟲喜歡的環境——他們在屍體裡塞硫黃,這就是為什麼我會聞到腐朽味道的原因。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAcxdwhqa38L
46Please respect copyright.PENANAlFfLU8WjlK
「但他們也想不到這些東西會成為他們的末日。」克里斯說,「我需要一些炭,如果你可以幫忙把那些木頭燒成可以使用的炭粉的話——雖然這不是正統的好做法,會讓威力減低,但有總比沒有好。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAk6t8kUsJCz
46Please respect copyright.PENANAGmkzVx783m
卡萊爾立刻開始動作。他將木柴熟練地堆疊成適合悶燒的形狀,然後在最裡面那層丟進燃燒的火柴。46Please respect copyright.PENANA7CxP96GdFW
46Please respect copyright.PENANAI7pzO9Q2vl
克里斯也沒閒著,他從袋子裡挖出需要份量的硫黃,因為沒有適合的工具而隨便撿一塊石頭來研磨。雪莉留給他的火藥包打開攤在一邊。46Please respect copyright.PENANAANlED4bQzX
46Please respect copyright.PENANAImIrcFKzXH
等他準備好足夠份量的硫黃粉,並且從一邊角落的架子下面找到一堆應該是被淘汰的老舊陶罐——那很可能是用來盛裝聖膏的——而他在那些被麻布袋遮蓋住的架子下還找到不少舊東西,包括兩綑繩子——他確信他們肯定會用到,所以決定待會一起帶上——還有一些聖體布,而且已經很脆弱,很容易就能用手撕開。46Please respect copyright.PENANAg3mdI1YqI1
46Please respect copyright.PENANAwHVfjSP4zy
他把燈油填進那些陶罐裡,用手撕開聖體布封好它們,這時候卡萊爾也把炭粉弄好了。46Please respect copyright.PENANAASGOu4b070
46Please respect copyright.PENANAwMmaEc391X
克里斯不知道他們花了多少時間,但他知道自己得盡快。46Please respect copyright.PENANAZggTUv7sG1
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配製火藥這種事是他年輕時候在前線作戰學到的,一個老兵教他怎麼使用現有的材料,加上一點點火藥份量製造可以虛張聲勢用的玩意兒,後來回國,他用自己的方式改良了這些配方,讓它們看起來不只是「虛張聲勢」而已。46Please respect copyright.PENANAwx0g8w1jNW
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不過他很久沒有展現這項技藝——克里斯努力讓自己專注在用手指感覺正確的份量,迅速在撕成相同大小的布片上依照比例配置材料,將它們一個個捆好、綁在一些陶罐上——這可以成為威力強大的火器。46Please respect copyright.PENANAM47xEbcn6n
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他另外留了一些火藥包,還有一些純粹裝著油的陶罐備用,然後將陶罐都用繩子綁好方便搬運。46Please respect copyright.PENANAZe6eibJn75
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當克里斯準備好這一切的時候,他抬起頭,卻發現卡萊爾並不在旁邊。46Please respect copyright.PENANAMsnQu9VuR6
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「卡萊爾!」他震驚地叫,連忙站起身來四處掃視,但卻沒看到那個金髮少年的身影。46Please respect copyright.PENANAE94njVIT0R
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——發生什麼事了?在他專心工作的時候有什麼狀況發生嗎?46Please respect copyright.PENANArmcWWxA1dw
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「——卡萊爾!」他大喊。46Please respect copyright.PENANAJD9dbv1vsZ
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「在這裡——」聲音及時從門外傳來,安撫了克里斯跳動得像要破裂的心臟。46Please respect copyright.PENANA671CCk1enk
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「你在外面幹什麼——喔!」他拎著準備好的東西衝出地窖,準備給總學不到教訓的金髮男孩一些警告,但他很快看見了卡萊爾到底在忙些什麼。46Please respect copyright.PENANAdFgu6FnUSR
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他不知道用什麼方法把一個燈油桶給抬上來,把裡面的油灑在地上,看它在四周蔓延開來,連桶子上都沾滿燈油、被倒過來放。而更重要的是,一根燒了三分之二的蠟燭正在朝天的桶底上燃燒著。46Please respect copyright.PENANAhRzj1rXtpw
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「簡單的定時點火裝置。」卡萊爾朝他笑。當蠟燭燒盡的時候,它會點燃桶子,然後順著蔓延出去的燈油一路往下燒。46Please respect copyright.PENANAoXZgDuDd8h
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「......不錯的創意。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAhTcbzVAtPU
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少年得意地把嘴角的弧度咧得更開了些,伸手接過克里斯遞給他的燈油罐,「那我想我們得再來為火焰開路。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAGPcmClcnaj
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「樂意之至。」46Please respect copyright.PENANAWpESWCSGAL
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網路連載到這裡結束,後面的情節礙於已出本的關係不公開,到結局之前還有兩章,就請同學們看書啦~46Please respect copyright.PENANAU4TdgQ0f84
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現在成書還可以通販喔!!請洽網站通販部~46Please respect copyright.PENANA31kDkpG4uJ
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