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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksmyIAPxGC
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVG9pPW3X0
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WfMwBBoUR
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TvNyZfhda
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBc9vIskwr
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyprKfo34E
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHZcz80iLa
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qJxwi3til
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjgiBYsZ1L
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1aFP0GQ59
樂觀地想，至少我們並沒有送命。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SFU2UhLQT
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U4gpWVbC8
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV7sTquniX
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4A7IG9JL6
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjCLyXEheK
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdYS1BnTIA
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？205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QmnPxrPTE
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XA8qWD6Mj
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？205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2QxkwifHc
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FWuib9Le8
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWZeBdVBBB
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCn8Bp8jyr
「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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xRX8L2gqU
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTuVMgmYSU
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvinNSXM3U
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BiZ88GswL
風鈴再次被風響了。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlkJXcSqPa
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk21XhnlSB
Mia忽然問道：「Steven，你住嘅呢條街唔算多人慶祝萬聖節。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E09g0ue3Q
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DGB6s77hx
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKnDH62kCQ
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIdr5NDoRI
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wk2Yxeyfs
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZB3kMEfVG
「殺死我！」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpQMvRpk5L
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpxk4FKH0T
「再快啲！再快啲！我要死喇！」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ihtfj3n1A
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4D73HXVcB
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44PnS311R8
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oACYkH2tq
但，我的性經驗不是重點。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGFYBJa8VO
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWyY4AevQ4
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpFcFwu2bX
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUinTCbT6w
「可能舊居民冇慶祝節日嘅習慣？」我不怎確定地對Mia解釋。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX31KrE1pCm
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5CQUpTVGb
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mm6LLDWNO
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkWbX1NzMe
「大家只係唔慶祝萬聖節。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSzPEIho8W
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcTG0kuZSL
轉頭一瞥，我們與Tim的視線剛好對上。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYifoJc5b3
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT2YE66oWz
Tim是「完全沒有佈置」的一派。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPnSsf1bFc
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPvuJ7SqnP
他關掉噏噏震動的剪草機，瞇起眼瞧看陰雲滿佈的天空。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBu2vT6ED4
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgYEpSX4JB
「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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9AEim29rq
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqYqnFoYNr
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pSH0CDMyz
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocp4uUt1KM
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyBUQbKtQF
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2eOs2lJI4
我追問道：「點解大家唔慶祝萬聖節？係唔係怕啲咩？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkPPb0gdBi
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHVQ4PxDFj
「你哋還好？」Tim停雨腳步，神色複雜地回望我們。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6yjhx52IR
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHKSHG0bHA
我沒有回答他的問題，直勾勾地看著他。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3QvhJakYZ
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasmgtL7SrI
Mia說道：「我哋想知道『萬聖節』嘅事。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc2ao2ahhy
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKTl3OCpah
Tim低吟兩秒，應道：「如果你哋唔趕時間，入嚟飲杯咖啡吧。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uAPu1LboX
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDG7YdI1Xe
如是者，Mia和我在Tim的邀請下到他的家作客。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS7Bb9e9D0
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Po1mcER4
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRqTD5YdnM
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgC2I3OVSe
窗戶外下起毛毛細雨，窗台上的花瓶，插著一束白花。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1uo53DVwB
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGp0NwXCph
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqf2HA8rH2
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbefL8sAJs
嗒，嗒。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjVoBUs8iT
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUosNCU1Gy
「Come on，you little shit⋯⋯」Tim 抱怨兩句後，爐頭亮起火光。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr31A202ILK
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1kdUQJDIN
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMh2dXNLov
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKLvIZaKsm
一家四口的全家幅。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7rqyuGy2g
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt0JZqn1ZE
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKhfuyhIkL
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMxgR9Xfp1
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPewnjNFpQT
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG41aHZEyF
「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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBp3STWYKY
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCmJbMpn6q
「唔好意思。」 我尷尬一笑。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR4hCU1Gsd
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWux8r5xLD
「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？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwim6inkPOY
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPQVVCSr7h
「因為見到你哋屋企冇萬聖節裝飾。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwYcHRyh2K
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalODBAIB6s
「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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE0AvRWTkE
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hUORW7vYR
「宗教信仰？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL2h93o8Kl
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdZhkigDx0
Tim 搖了搖頭。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEOsCtfoS6
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGOGDGM74c
「你哋無對佢哋解釋？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRgjlYJNX5
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnRmYJJ3Sg
「冇人願意提，而且有啲事知得愈少愈好。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaOvAN4IlT
「但你同我哋講嘅原因係？」Mia疑惑。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKeHSjrBGW
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6IDUS0wIE
「因為我想搵後生女仔陪我呢個大叔傾計解悶囉，嘿嘿。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr8bsbJpZ6
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jjeXf7cV4
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZtTJg3iLI
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr3z6uzC4v
「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』？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFkGtRnfNv
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3NnuKg6JM
Tim口中的「他們」顯然指那對鬼母子！205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWqQgf5g78
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhED2MIyRbh
我和Mia不約而同點頭。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwTmJyfPEM
「你知道佢哋存在？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiUFoRJBfU
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleGCTCQPnx
「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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgtLyBgxc6
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoNiUL5TjU
「唔係每一年？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nSfL76BLu
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx4L8BQh7J
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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPk1zehlrr
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6p9NqJMeJ
「所以你都見過？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMXl1niegh
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHU07Y9WD9
「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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMnkVUPZkY
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSNHp4dLSK
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⋯⋯205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtd4SshdjC
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1pWklOGmu
＊205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvKjySnVba
＊205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP3UVCVJ4c
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嚓。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH80NI09gS
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjYEbPoo2E
「喔，唔該唔該。」Tim輕拍遞上火機的手示意。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0m53KqbCq
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhYKjd2Dc7
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7oZBamJWn
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYsvRUkdSK
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvTvH7XOKF
這個壞男人叫Simon，這個故事不能或缺的男主角 。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N0UiGbWbA
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfu7yYzeag
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5HrYGZfiQ
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7ZHkLZbJJ
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFGgBHOIZP
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TUyI1sbnc
Patricia沒有大小姐脾氣，是一個賢淑的妻子，也是一個好母親。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f3HHQhTYL
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOnwJOJcdh
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgv7ChGz81
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5V41shl7u
跟一般當地人一樣，他們在假日經常聚會，因此。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLW9FkbaXU
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEUflqCFdZ
「係喇，我之前見到Patricia⋯⋯佢塊面瘀咗，唔會係你打佢吧？」Tim試探道。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq87wpXLGZj
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Simon呼出一口煙：「唔關我事，佢自己唔小心跌親。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4zpIPBU1h
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Tim看到對方迴避自己的目光，頓時心裡有數。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuLqRm66eI
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「今次輸幾多錢？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyieJ6b9iJ
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Simon聞言，露出一抹笑容，彷彿一直在等Tim這句話。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTztUmSDEu
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「兩千鎊。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUujYdPm4Tp
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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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZIUEQX7B7
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「最後一次，唔好再拎去賭。自從你搬咗去嗰間屋⋯⋯」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qPwGZSC55
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiurSk25ZK
「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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAdXXcvSzZ
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這是1997年，萬聖節前的一個星期。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hrUfFgbEn
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfivmbxtCm
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「Simon，你再考慮清楚先。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2PGPX3aVN
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「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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWcD8q4f3p
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「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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2F88Ut5VR
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然而，Tim的妻子的說詞卻是不一。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2kBLUuTHV
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「其實我都覺得住近啲好⋯⋯大家有個照應。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFXImwOgiY
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3npKUgVdgq
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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2seOAnG6LY
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeVmbCivuK
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkbSH03Ft6
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富不過三代，但窮絕對可以，是一種惡性循環。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bzp5oc6qw
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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？205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLitJ1HNRYc
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXyx5gjrbx
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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d1NtyKN33
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzaPtaqnrq
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWG5oOXMAM
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他的目光被空地邊緣的小黃花吸引。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLx5KLw9v0
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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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK0Q9ZSznI
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Tim捻熄煙蒂，若有所思地攪動杯中的咖啡。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszqaJRLc5c
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「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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZQeF3hc8Q
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「佢之後開始輸錢？」我並不意外。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZm2D7HwcI
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輸錢皆因贏錢起，這可是老生常談。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsUHVL5Auz
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「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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGPSWaHaBl
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUP4bYEuQf
「傳說，你最初勸Simon 唔好買嘅原因？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih7UHPgpPQ
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Tim點點頭：「血樹傳說。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqCLNzl6rj
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「What the⋯⋯」Mia說。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGQWLxlldQ
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「fuck？」我補充。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0wr5yOmei
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「女巫與血樹嘅傳說。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauLy1RHXY4
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那是1997年前10月31日，Tim最後一次看到Patricia和小男孩Jack。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7JXd6thu4
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgt9wN3QSY
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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zp8LvjY93
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeo2lJZAtY
「Patricia，佢又打你？」Tim瞧看Patricia的墨鏡，看見眉角的傷口。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHaJKnDmax
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Patricia趕忙搖頭：「唔，係我唔小心撞親。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpsUFdSGtz
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbC0thLVPG
「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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u4n9LcbCb
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「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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ljRW6nOMD
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「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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg5y0XyZ9V
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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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jF2LdW9Wt
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Patricia尷尬地笑道：「Simon好快就冇事。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9geumkMSQP
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「你聽我講，血樹傳說可能係真，嗰塊地係不祥之地。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzMterGEKz
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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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4UHnfMPA5
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信仰是一把雙面刃，能帶給人們希望，同時也可以是絕望。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl5Blnpy22
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「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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpURvYpKj6
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「討伐女巫！！！將女巫吊死！！！」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7yxzCUURA
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「燒死可惡嘅女巫！」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiSeLE39sS
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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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsT2d7ZiuE
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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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL6pxLNXIa
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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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXrVifW5wO
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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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMa8KOzKe0
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風吹過，能聽見淒厲的慘叫聲。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGbWxYqK8n
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砍進樹幹，流出來的是腥紅的鮮血。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9Z4JBuWPN
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將濕潤的泥土拿上手把玩，殘留強烈的血腥味。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRopbZtt9X
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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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuylgD1ssQW
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「Tim，真係唔使擔心我哋。」Patricia握住Tim的手，衷心感謝Tim的關心。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgNysuxGKy
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aotZk319k
「Jack，過嚟同Tim叔叔講媽媽教你嘅說話。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo3UD0AZme
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「知道！」小男孩穿著白色小西裝，跑到Tim的面前。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAmegGmvbO
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「The sky is blue⋯⋯」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N7jMZpvCE
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「The grass is green⋯⋯」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wM2x4WSta
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「May we have our Halloween？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdEqfgTjJh
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「If not a penny, a ha’penny will do⋯⋯」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kZ8TOB6Kl
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「If not a ha’ penny, then God bless you!」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1Z7R7NCcF
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男孩Jack 吐舌，乖巧地伸出手。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mVWDRjLJf
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「Trick or treat？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ak3zH5u4P
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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。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vEcPKoLFs
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhyewQwBBG
Patricia和小男孩Jack正是一直纏著他們的鬼母子！205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss38k97nM0
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQbbcj3dNC
「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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q5XtYsEck
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「離奇？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6drxuQiqL
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「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？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqQgG3hdVz
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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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0OoaybyXX
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6aiHPMo5M
Mia不解地問道：「你點解肯定佢哋死咗？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84T1kKEMKh
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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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBtb7If12n
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「等等先，我唔係好明白。」我聽得一頭冒水。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxkYBlu9XO
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「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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs8T7sc30Q
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很綠，十分綠。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtpNluYOtW
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他的綠，比巴西龜、忍者龜和Marvel的變形俠醫都比下去。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqswVXcxZnp
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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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTboSECxpkV
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr8O8Nr42z
「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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt2qxFEG2Q
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Befpxggbb
「佢居然冇自殺？」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbUTNRshp0
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC7FANoBPv
Mia瞪我一眼，用力踩在我的腳背上。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEh0LjqEGq
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7kquyUp9R
「唔好意思。」我聳肩道歉。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs5naYsRQI
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWyZNaVpld
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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2rczjY0Hx
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jm8ryZjjD
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。」205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHUtUobEyq
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rZBnVnjJt
這是Tim跟我們說最後一段說話。205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo26v4xIC1u
205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBWIcNhuMD
＊205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGI4YuF1vE
