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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sUIOvCcZl
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ6ga184Zq
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3ZDyIHXEJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXxVpAXeuu
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKPOmsuG39
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8gTkv4jgS
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvOJWujAzw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN6rDZREIy
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PgBbWl2i3
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCkBnsMKb0
樂觀地想，至少我們並沒有送命。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBvOWkTBYB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAMZHKA5Xx
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBQ8lxYcQ0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoESmMLQ5b
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeWljsdDo2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzlFLcbFdC
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？185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLSezvsKWn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgyghQ80NM
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？185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc4JHFvETt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey7A7L5JOV
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps0QDoVTai
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUReMOA9sT
「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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgnfVpndq2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlon7oZkcm
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGlLR4CSdi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhUgbMR2PA
風鈴再次被風響了。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBQ5qPYd5y
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwXD0jks19
Mia忽然問道：「Steven，你住嘅呢條街唔算多人慶祝萬聖節。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6NRiXwUdg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UJHsxbsga
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxRpiO96Mn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDI3P938jf
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh2dCxx9ka
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wAEygdFNW
「殺死我！」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYkW0cNPvW
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaxsLJEYMn
「再快啲！再快啲！我要死喇！」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwNxLXAEIu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsj6c7Kmth
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC5rdnnqaN
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp2cznQP3J
但，我的性經驗不是重點。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE0WBgYYKM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsltWUNNRTM
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG9Gv1qDpk
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvlAf8EDtv
「可能舊居民冇慶祝節日嘅習慣？」我不怎確定地對Mia解釋。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG6rDC8BfI
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS9Emqm5FU
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nEharnG7v
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y1LZN0fxL
「大家只係唔慶祝萬聖節。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe5h2wfN7E
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGhsUzid5w
轉頭一瞥，我們與Tim的視線剛好對上。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zxHYwCDla
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi2OO2Dhxu
Tim是「完全沒有佈置」的一派。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf68LlmvZZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyMNLjvlBG
他關掉噏噏震動的剪草機，瞇起眼瞧看陰雲滿佈的天空。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThQat4vEit
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tJi1qw7Vf
「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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgdNs2OoZS
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEZP17a9qQ
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRDMlr5lsS
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj7octoXe3
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45fWp82a1a
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh2zI0cATR
我追問道：「點解大家唔慶祝萬聖節？係唔係怕啲咩？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LOj2M5OgT
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUiWxFMzTL
「你哋還好？」Tim停雨腳步，神色複雜地回望我們。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgajYMJE8lq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBBZL3Z1IY
我沒有回答他的問題，直勾勾地看著他。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFGlochq9f
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zz0SCSJCg
Mia說道：「我哋想知道『萬聖節』嘅事。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsrscfvzcy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLw0fhASut
Tim低吟兩秒，應道：「如果你哋唔趕時間，入嚟飲杯咖啡吧。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgxXPwTDMd
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5sshGc1oE
如是者，Mia和我在Tim的邀請下到他的家作客。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXOR1AhY27
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1z8gMB7ZW
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqjO5szdjZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BmVRMvi2B
窗戶外下起毛毛細雨，窗台上的花瓶，插著一束白花。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPyJxqGMhD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKsNNhBKam
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DwjmHWgFD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRTTb1yXvF
嗒，嗒。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEspZuSe93
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VURkIwT8X
「Come on，you little shit⋯⋯」Tim 抱怨兩句後，爐頭亮起火光。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFRUnIu4De
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf8tNrfvQm
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsGCZLcOTy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUkhcyi5Zw
一家四口的全家幅。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqLOyXxyIE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1yhxT5VZb
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68RGhFQogY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDZKw3yuaq
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2Vbl5L4B3
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3moiN2yObp
「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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcmYJW8Yxt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9mJn4SLdU
「唔好意思。」 我尷尬一笑。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsunpXlcv5C
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSNJibvxAk
「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？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgxSbHoWMt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8YHxbe8S9
「因為見到你哋屋企冇萬聖節裝飾。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEHuLj9y54
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16DGMKgsly
「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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSLeCgcnta
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFESKkL6kf
「宗教信仰？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKRLolMfTx
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiNQtiqgmz
Tim 搖了搖頭。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKRO284pPH
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37E8xnerc4
「你哋無對佢哋解釋？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmadcRwn5DS
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqHwSL0UlU
「冇人願意提，而且有啲事知得愈少愈好。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3q4btmnMd
「但你同我哋講嘅原因係？」Mia疑惑。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpKWKJ5YqL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaADeAnYoZ
「因為我想搵後生女仔陪我呢個大叔傾計解悶囉，嘿嘿。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y8gIBvU4Q
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6bGN7OkUY
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQRuSwydBR
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiklURoJqw
「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』？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6ysnFpkCy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIYsa6sy7g
Tim口中的「他們」顯然指那對鬼母子！185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAfy1ykpDa
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9otGVdnyk
我和Mia不約而同點頭。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV0kSdzj4J
「你知道佢哋存在？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrcaL5ps25
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaP4G81bGv
「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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTVuCrUGnq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP52zqAnNEf
「唔係每一年？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTMaON6o4b
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXykGAFebvn
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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z8nuWG3d3
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJED8NwG7s
「所以你都見過？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CjhFZiMdC
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sv7aQxAOQ
「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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqsO2JRHjl
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwgXcLT0Bz
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⋯⋯185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpqFSuCMra
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIr4guO2z6
＊185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj38uA2HOh
＊185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9edVwoQEms
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNthj5w342P
嚓。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfklAcpBTJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3HnyOJW5K
「喔，唔該唔該。」Tim輕拍遞上火機的手示意。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg8LV2zjqr
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9j1hKD3ae
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz2KaRGkOu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh45U7yskVq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4euZVjDNQ
這個壞男人叫Simon，這個故事不能或缺的男主角 。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEx3JPrmIP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJuAp5tYKt
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSK6D0HbIX
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5ypCXZeeK
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2avpOdLBGE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhr7jXYdRL
Patricia沒有大小姐脾氣，是一個賢淑的妻子，也是一個好母親。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR9B5xCU0A
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo0MZL3xIz
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLaM1nTyqB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjat3H8mf35
跟一般當地人一樣，他們在假日經常聚會，因此。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ4uaOFJFb
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2E69e5DBV
「係喇，我之前見到Patricia⋯⋯佢塊面瘀咗，唔會係你打佢吧？」Tim試探道。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2NvUxMmRl
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBgaw3PcTd
Simon呼出一口煙：「唔關我事，佢自己唔小心跌親。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiLeqHcAXP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkEJPHS2ay
Tim看到對方迴避自己的目光，頓時心裡有數。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9R2XWcVq2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hJSocXSif
「今次輸幾多錢？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGM1pdyseq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrkXjFYnws
Simon聞言，露出一抹笑容，彷彿一直在等Tim這句話。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGDSzMkBwR
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqWMUvrvHv
「兩千鎊。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZX2M2MNaA
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz4c1WzJc0
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZJIVfZ4YC
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQb3hlSsPL
「最後一次，唔好再拎去賭。自從你搬咗去嗰間屋⋯⋯」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALNr69BqA6
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhglhl9l7St
「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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLmbS45SU0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xPZDAOTji
這是1997年，萬聖節前的一個星期。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBKOCPaM4Z
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsV95F2p4n
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV9XYBFQcz
「Simon，你再考慮清楚先。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUqW4xjQOL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BZSNbsiwL
「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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fPchXM1O9
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMXemZ3jPx
「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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9SWc4Ou5n
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfs7Nxi0S0
然而，Tim的妻子的說詞卻是不一。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z0HaXkDUu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHdWDItj7C
「其實我都覺得住近啲好⋯⋯大家有個照應。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuCLWqZRkO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtouHQwUohe
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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyjdxXUNcu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38X0BKx300
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5fDXZoahX
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoIUyZd0SR
富不過三代，但窮絕對可以，是一種惡性循環。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLRgDGS3VI
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23KGOOBk3K
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？185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQQo5XFEW8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzBakWOgcI
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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosA36HAWQA
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRqI0ML1wG
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnwuISVkCe
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35298Yxxlq
他的目光被空地邊緣的小黃花吸引。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx5FZEeaLD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpSRDrUaR1
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG2BgABaqR
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLfTibW3wP
＊185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuRMwVZjz7
＊185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFaIJghKT5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukVKb4rLje
Tim捻熄煙蒂，若有所思地攪動杯中的咖啡。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBLZ26EcdM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8CsxT9PMk
「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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk5lTUJq3u
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb4DIUZw2d
「佢之後開始輸錢？」我並不意外。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJZI2hb672
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0a1E5wl4u
輸錢皆因贏錢起，這可是老生常談。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSSMK86YXj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9HDuuK3vW
「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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvVN00ZHdw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z7wrgqop5
「傳說，你最初勸Simon 唔好買嘅原因？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTpagwj3pH
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEVRYBfxHy
Tim點點頭：「血樹傳說。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAsYKb9Ww6
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7nR82th6w
「What the⋯⋯」Mia說。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0NTrm3tEq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y2NTpo3Xz
「fuck？」我補充。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc113Gf7ii
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iJarbCAZm
「女巫與血樹嘅傳說。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I7FV4ag9g
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XIXagGNZ1
＊185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHP4AOaDBR
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6izqXbVwE3
那是1997年前10月31日，Tim最後一次看到Patricia和小男孩Jack。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs9VZCQNQL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6am98wOPg
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4lnCsU1Pg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLmXotrKMG
「Patricia，佢又打你？」Tim瞧看Patricia的墨鏡，看見眉角的傷口。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU9pSQDe6z
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8YnHLZlUG
Patricia趕忙搖頭：「唔，係我唔小心撞親。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN0TvDzJ4R
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM1o4AIwQ9
「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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunCHu8fi38
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9fYV7CDkk
「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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIk8T4hMvv
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgUXDuzTAX
「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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kpUdNmUcQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvIw12Ij14
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86IKV2dOdD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8wJjllL9S
Patricia尷尬地笑道：「Simon好快就冇事。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfqOTnTU3J
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DrQZIcOW6
「你聽我講，血樹傳說可能係真，嗰塊地係不祥之地。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L3bFVCLMR
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzl5HTZdse
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDLRDPjREr
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1OiYowqGP
信仰是一把雙面刃，能帶給人們希望，同時也可以是絕望。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mEPxJsnfo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1pB0VkoFN
「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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9r5qI3TjJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqYCOOpOa7
「討伐女巫！！！將女巫吊死！！！」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAjvlhk0fi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY5VWujSuV
「燒死可惡嘅女巫！」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm8CnAJi30
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdqjIaFj3O
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2qTU7ApyX
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDY7Gxt8BZ
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdbPXKYAN5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaXGu8xAvu
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7sqtom1yn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZeMwqhx07
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt68SlZj8T
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JF18MGzo8
風吹過，能聽見淒厲的慘叫聲。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfsBzyOIXl
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalBb0w3QVy
砍進樹幹，流出來的是腥紅的鮮血。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLw9YFx3RdG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeil7zI6Yo
將濕潤的泥土拿上手把玩，殘留強烈的血腥味。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ikdjRJwZS
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08SYD8zC40
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk4sZTajBS
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMJ3qjlZmP
「Tim，真係唔使擔心我哋。」Patricia握住Tim的手，衷心感謝Tim的關心。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKK1TkfXjf
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2nHtC0Mlk
「Jack，過嚟同Tim叔叔講媽媽教你嘅說話。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAUTGkV9GK
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFjKXUg8qF
「知道！」小男孩穿著白色小西裝，跑到Tim的面前。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYdMvPIfzD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWymLB40Og
「The sky is blue⋯⋯」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewnmdO48Jk
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRctIhCY0uz
「The grass is green⋯⋯」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj8sTBJrQb
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq99QJkxCe
「May we have our Halloween？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa71j1Mko6R
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Jn27EoXN
「If not a penny, a ha’penny will do⋯⋯」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TZcl8GOsH
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqXCrIMJVO
「If not a ha’ penny, then God bless you!」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hsT4e56mA
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8Tv2YnXcE
男孩Jack 吐舌，乖巧地伸出手。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H8ZGWcsOi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TmzLeF6Uh
「Trick or treat？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYQipdK613
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zzPdoiv90
＊185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH6UAGFFKZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzrxW4XaKy
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。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqYMiEhVEU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvwwNBLNY3
Patricia和小男孩Jack正是一直纏著他們的鬼母子！185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ3oN3j6ua
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4yvy9QmWd
「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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFODI1A4uxB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLqrBR3JaX
「離奇？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW8xItvEoY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfixzKpVLw2
「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？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMpuOMXH1r
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQI3mZxIGj
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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH11MZaQLEt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCAVyouAzG
Mia不解地問道：「你點解肯定佢哋死咗？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABfuCYwB86
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx4nvkDqcP
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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNhw5euZBt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0GHjw35rl
「等等先，我唔係好明白。」我聽得一頭冒水。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyi3A9n2aN
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQSFVCtpVt
「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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVGHcR9s2B
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoif0EOJUzI
很綠，十分綠。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0oSLVsV0D
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIKXyTGgFZ
他的綠，比巴西龜、忍者龜和Marvel的變形俠醫都比下去。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY0rJc6Lx7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wYGauoP1R
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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uTqEU8vt6
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWCKhLMA31
「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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwW7LDp4jt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA5457CYVs
「佢居然冇自殺？」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2FG5COEbO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE91jK6olcK
Mia瞪我一眼，用力踩在我的腳背上。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uTFydlEs2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflc57lvXJ0
「唔好意思。」我聳肩道歉。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A2iQQAdNa
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2IHKarCJX
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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCG9IRfzGS
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FO0HaFvLW
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。」185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35ZKFjmxNw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtnfd2iJjC
這是Tim跟我們說最後一段說話。185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIwdVsznmG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdawaJVVC4
＊185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34nWNaToRc
