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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIPh2m3h6a
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bpi2dSFdb
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBJWxOh0F4
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPTIWkJ9RP
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXFpH7mEnU
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CG1ao8VXf
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbxLWW2qGg
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDyfL3zRsN
村民們敬重地諱稱她一聲『夫人』。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWfzYcWIx1
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuePgieFWO
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5A2PaaPXu
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqgDWSs2Z6
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNV8CkZSFq
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjukPUpt9cx
※※※※※572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFTYNvUQi9
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxROKtLjV96
如日常事例，少婦背著藥箱步步走下山谷為村民診病。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbSJSHNgBU
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1oNfFJ8Ev
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdwIVdKqXX
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6hc47lCIP
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSNUOjB8eN
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vaOI3hMOX
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bbtIxl60P
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQMRzftInj
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdghePT7AI
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJXoRx9O9t
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCMi9jpEJp
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZbNvBc9JN
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7dKRRnuFi
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3HPRQyl00
對這些村民來說，已經足夠靈驗。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31E1oOEtyr
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHNiujwe26
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cDUs3p7A8
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeURD5kggQ
「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！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5xPJSPlSl
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8dFvEzTjx
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflfosqZ3nQ
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k1yI2iOmc
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！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6t1rWJMPB
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesXouH7IGm
「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」。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS4oFViI6i
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsXkhd3KeR
「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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj303hVrEH
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP9lsUPU07
少婦微低下半身，柔聲問道：「小末，妳撿到了什麼？」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNLtEqrHxD
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ9uFk6R95
「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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzuqLnaeun
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAac7g0Vr8
「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！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KUyHksXnR
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrtqlNS0N7
「不行！不行！」小末大叫，「不能給別人看到！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKkDenAoHc
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyifhwJthuK
「妳又在說謊了！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ433tIktQ
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHEN5bn45u
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？」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeozPW802NW
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirUt5uisIo
小末委屈地皺眉抿嘴，片刻後才點頭勉強同意。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom3Ryy1Iim
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHutVJMJGW9
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeJlp75sB8
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AuFmWPUQa
以前小末常常對著她大嚷：『為什麼不早點來救我母親？』572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzQIXEmdgI
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5KTfYlXtn
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvQL0TI1gO
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPsm8o2CAj
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0i3I3KraL
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8nOVvkYKb
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETSX8sxV07
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAzso0IWO2
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux5U4WIo9b
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fEV8WEcsu
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96XX8EWKh4
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lbtg7mycT
「小末，到底是什麼東西……」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrSjv39oG4
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigIH9ulwUM
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！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXPGcB74UK
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3bG5M69Ko
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKDs6JUTfm
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLeVe7xi8L
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！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ODowPfNPq
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMhjiaUf2E
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…」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKseTAtqfZu
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliILQ2sFxH
石片移開後，少婦低下身看去時，不禁倒抽了一口氣──572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmGjge2jL4
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKcfFYT0XM
那不是人類嗎？572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6WC1mFZd5
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEhoj9Zll6
…不，那…是人類嗎？……572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCYIq5QFeA
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PzpJol44K
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPVZnm1LOw
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau7a9S5wlC
「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！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtIzpFSqHh
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnNd1flZRN
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVQtKGdIGB
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGIZ5bYz2p
「以後一定會長得愈來愈好看！一定會！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gyVYFoTcw
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P2DWeI3wi
「小末…」少婦乾澀地喚著她的名字，幾不成聲。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7Omdp2OM2
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByVwclAr1h
「不過不能告訴我家裡的人喔！也不可以告訴別人！這是…」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sZpMZgLa2
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9P2tGDYhF
「小末！」少婦竭力喚道，「小末…等一下…這種東西……」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKriDQ8fEX
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakadjPjFP8
「唔？」小末無辜地眨眨眼，等著少婦說話。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktHdZeGvHI
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdOwYxB3zG
「這種東西……」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3hWdhhgbr
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLlkImFSb0
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……572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnD47oV9jX
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs2pF4iPwf
因為，這應該是已經脫離凡俗的物體……572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhzrxuhmfM
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBfp2InZPk
……過去的記憶像是突發的山洪沖盡意識……572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWInmXMGAN2
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqqRjM30c1
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？572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjdmH1nFeV
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oiLZjMsYt
「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！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLq2ExU1x5
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfhCHu7adO
「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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1wPuk5TDK
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg5QHjiPaQ
心口，只剩底下的心臟是確實而嚇人地搏動著。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfGHIhqN8V
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIV0yPdPN6
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……」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIRgpGnFsn
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMNOGyyknx
小末不以為意也不放在心上地點頭同意。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYU3HQdjXM
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaXrk2J9aH
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……572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83d8RDGcia
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSp3OeR2sN
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……572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiunnJpy7P
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNyIkB3ItP
指尖移至『她』的鼻尖下想確認氣息時，『她』霍然張明雙眼！572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJfNHRuYXU
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUNSewgOFN
少婦赫然抽回手，醒過來的『她』正盈盈微笑。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9etZ1ZpKj
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYt4zx4Ihr
小末訝異又驚喜地低歡道：「哇──張開眼睛了！醒過來了！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07X6eJ3nx5
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQOQaRG7sA
『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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycwvnCOG8h
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG20RJfxx5
『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……572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39L7ygjSLo
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB9Bskbekj
「我是小末！小末小末小末！」小末很高興地向『她』介紹自己。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8wuMrIaWW
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJesQuijHt
少婦不禁脫口說出：「……神……」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdBXBzsePV
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlG9lKgrE0
腥紅的血瞳映照出不斷飛逝的無形非人。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwE6psAvGT
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg3FlUMPgX
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……572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUadgNk5Vlm
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZTfRyqDdA
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7gPaNHkiC
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFYtgtZN1c
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……572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfivzg9kv3
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApesZBqEmo
『她』擺動的靈活的長臂，與小末在地上舞躍著、在天空攀爬著。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK3vUW4ZeT
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuihEXulPR
『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……572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsSfZ9fG2y
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn41BZmAPD
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。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnslWNY13e
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6C3lgh81s
回到村子，村民們善意地招呼著，「夫人！您還沒走啊！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W8rebY9aA
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24litJveAz
「小末呢？」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxorggzk1D
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5Ab90qmpJ
「她啊…」村人露出了怪異的表情，「發瘋一樣叫嘯著跑過去了！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhlQC4gBok
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrk71YrNrG
「那…她…有帶著什麼東西嗎？」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ9iyJq9yP
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9ZB7ArA2z
「啊？」村人搔搔頭，「就那樣一路跑過去啦……」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe0h79ETTm
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZteDMFaoH
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！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LDKTpoqtC
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFXbHQXGTk
沒有神。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSewpiu12yX
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHEzVoLKOe
小末看到少婦，漸漸地停下瘋狂舞跳，喘息笑著。572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx11Z1xIvCa
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOxmwLjJhj
「不可以告訴別人、不可以說喔！」572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgQdrZSe6Z
Penana
search
登入arrow_drop_down
註冊arrow_drop_down
