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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3Q3a2sQ7K
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJZKYeoNEM
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3BX44V9xs
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxiiMYQcFq
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXpARqCQJp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoYRQvG72u
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2iEjrBNWA
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4h8GJrRII
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78KrP8fIMd
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfffBuRqrlq
樂觀地想，至少我們並沒有送命。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB9wyXdfOR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98oT3kP1Nc
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkNwOBxEAd
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPm0GVfcCl
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqNmJt730D
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl9SlsliXd
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？193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGQP5SKPR3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERu5IEkKLW
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？193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSywyLFmxJf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wg0TbTkAe
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3QUU3DOG0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEocDqxqGqJ
「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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCbgeOi93U
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zJ8jm8GAK
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWRsWK1UEQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9hGN2HoTr
風鈴再次被風響了。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OrrElS4qW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxszE6d9k0Z
Mia忽然問道：「Steven，你住嘅呢條街唔算多人慶祝萬聖節。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7wHkyHyad
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReSdHb7QU8
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfQ6E02jC2
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8Ly24bo01
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU14Zp4T9HS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWN1Fnm8Wq
「殺死我！」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOFSJP3FXE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI8VSvcVRO
「再快啲！再快啲！我要死喇！」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE552GnSvFp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOnLfAUHfg
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCZUmkU9jK
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0RpK4zS2m
但，我的性經驗不是重點。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TXIFIcNLY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrZ5HMMANt
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYkTWHjAIR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIYuNaJP43
「可能舊居民冇慶祝節日嘅習慣？」我不怎確定地對Mia解釋。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFFtpFjb5X
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhTn59JpHd
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggzdswzM1D
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgXZf2mx1N
「大家只係唔慶祝萬聖節。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxddfHZQGU
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrcfEhjjv8
轉頭一瞥，我們與Tim的視線剛好對上。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvwDq4lQiY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi427BZ359W
Tim是「完全沒有佈置」的一派。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QapdV2ThI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vqL8lXaYv
他關掉噏噏震動的剪草機，瞇起眼瞧看陰雲滿佈的天空。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCqh7q4fFW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYArv3IL5L
「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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTviIuvkOSD
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOoOGMGhfM
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssxebdde47
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcklKmXI1Mv
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL331YCGGbV
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6UBJJ2jez
我追問道：「點解大家唔慶祝萬聖節？係唔係怕啲咩？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lioh83NiI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx6kWXj8XC
「你哋還好？」Tim停雨腳步，神色複雜地回望我們。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ607PjjH0S6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8gdddhT04
我沒有回答他的問題，直勾勾地看著他。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3XSyabxlR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioHdD5DzRm
Mia說道：「我哋想知道『萬聖節』嘅事。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwf1a7DGPa
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrdnibzMTD
Tim低吟兩秒，應道：「如果你哋唔趕時間，入嚟飲杯咖啡吧。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwyyOGSkkF
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IAWxHuwah
如是者，Mia和我在Tim的邀請下到他的家作客。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcubJuZhhEN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZEpMbtWaw
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEICNanr7Tu
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZeAmoLQwK
窗戶外下起毛毛細雨，窗台上的花瓶，插著一束白花。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjIOM6vSSZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzKJaVysuA
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Re5RjwHJn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr41V1KHtbF
嗒，嗒。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ2ZIBI6Xh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM8QIr49Mj
「Come on，you little shit⋯⋯」Tim 抱怨兩句後，爐頭亮起火光。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDxZV4KFF7
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTkMoSzqfd
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCnPVnW0i1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6sareeHUg
一家四口的全家幅。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewVSdAIglF
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQR2ih6Aki
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHJWQHy6Gg
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizQdhy7hLq
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVv8GDdk0P
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzJUzjkIYP
「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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh52cGlIxSV
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwGuaBuWjr
「唔好意思。」 我尷尬一笑。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHi8ybYMed
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh9n0aHFuT
「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？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBzifbVCpf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMgX1I1tfB
「因為見到你哋屋企冇萬聖節裝飾。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZWLjgbxIl
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVZJQ30Wqf
「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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIENU8QGK2t
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMCXHvjdUw
「宗教信仰？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28zSZIH2pj
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJjVhoiNo4
Tim 搖了搖頭。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQIt7Ggt0I
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQakpPNRTi
「你哋無對佢哋解釋？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4Wx3LDx8t
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOcaSufGlx
「冇人願意提，而且有啲事知得愈少愈好。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCuT46Q1dn
「但你同我哋講嘅原因係？」Mia疑惑。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezUEVwXZiL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq8Xrvb3iZ
「因為我想搵後生女仔陪我呢個大叔傾計解悶囉，嘿嘿。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXrkWzqWRe
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBGQrCLPYz
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmDW9IUAjy
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUTIiOarfn
「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』？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE3TAMXgZy
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPB01rqn3H
Tim口中的「他們」顯然指那對鬼母子！193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hBXIql6K2
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoSJHRuSoK
我和Mia不約而同點頭。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9cOVHlDNt
「你知道佢哋存在？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0aAf5slYG
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPXBbz1UvJ
「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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXkoLvbmfW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDn4eOWpMU
「唔係每一年？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9h6Vp6v9I
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Znw1nxVtE
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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgqdSKUCXY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKDmIjqOHE
「所以你都見過？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYelrFJfs2
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLxYJCO9IQ
「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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qa0bl7Nat
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgm3nDqbAV
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⋯⋯193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uSXJxJRuL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo27yMEg7U
＊193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HcsJ3WOMw
＊193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyt0x5uq5Y
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctR8dk4owO
嚓。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWDfp67XaS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZOd2Xp0Lg
「喔，唔該唔該。」Tim輕拍遞上火機的手示意。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdPCbwnYDO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBr8Sqb2yn
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUEk6GbW0m
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlZOTLz9Em
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7xIlnbkYp
這個壞男人叫Simon，這個故事不能或缺的男主角 。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR8jOEUmxq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEBACYtFJC
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CJlI9S2pW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgMrIDFLH1
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTqVfxIlQz
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZedyp8n5W
Patricia沒有大小姐脾氣，是一個賢淑的妻子，也是一個好母親。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlc2Ag5vPW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEZm7TRbJR
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtW5P9dRnf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZZV1v6xzB
跟一般當地人一樣，他們在假日經常聚會，因此。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrKjesMryd
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYhZ8VeInz
「係喇，我之前見到Patricia⋯⋯佢塊面瘀咗，唔會係你打佢吧？」Tim試探道。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAQfB9sg85
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5stlKEuSYw
Simon呼出一口煙：「唔關我事，佢自己唔小心跌親。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZmTJcAuak
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhaXy4ELmM
Tim看到對方迴避自己的目光，頓時心裡有數。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oMSZN6Hr0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63fdRb8cNr
「今次輸幾多錢？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8CphxwNz6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNUN6ER779
Simon聞言，露出一抹笑容，彷彿一直在等Tim這句話。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEWaNzt2HK
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡParTxIPC69
「兩千鎊。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtw5ceQIIq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jMrA1bZvA
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf49dSFl2eR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0054ULrB3y
「最後一次，唔好再拎去賭。自從你搬咗去嗰間屋⋯⋯」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7ZsaU5RU9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMUNl9X4TT
「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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEkz9ng6CD
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nxJomk7Jg
這是1997年，萬聖節前的一個星期。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQQPUKNpQE
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe00FGwNGF
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4y6eZ4Vfi
「Simon，你再考慮清楚先。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASGokh93E3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrTNws2LOV
「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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyxXKZ9Zn6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKCHXaytpS
「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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQuoPSWhE0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xa4gcVqTC
然而，Tim的妻子的說詞卻是不一。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8R9WhwqGo
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDifnzujcdE
「其實我都覺得住近啲好⋯⋯大家有個照應。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF9xpt4A2g
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiP39j72ty
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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs4lc5UPLm
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzliuKiHQJL
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX81IFI879N
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3QNWel953
富不過三代，但窮絕對可以，是一種惡性循環。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHDTbKVOG7
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc9wmEiDEM
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？193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3cOyQUjHc
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dzOrWcMJs
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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH3Zw8AzRG
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRErdf9RWp6
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXszMEaiUBt
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGafhonRWj
他的目光被空地邊緣的小黃花吸引。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EyOBC2CUN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctYiVi1M9O
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjUVNXTsHQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uEPe91B2k
＊193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dv5IElJFp
＊193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNiHoZqaAK
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ2OtQRh6p
Tim捻熄煙蒂，若有所思地攪動杯中的咖啡。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWyV4KrPft
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8QMBlFhTI
「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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3lQmj6dRl
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjq9UhmrEQ
「佢之後開始輸錢？」我並不意外。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbozoRNqEvZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCoigamZbt
輸錢皆因贏錢起，這可是老生常談。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtE5Zv14u3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorSvlVEOVH
「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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcgyoAObNb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybpwI24wZy
「傳說，你最初勸Simon 唔好買嘅原因？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI7VqKzsQ1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvzWf35VFV
Tim點點頭：「血樹傳說。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmyzjbQtCG
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKVN6VISFL
「What the⋯⋯」Mia說。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmJqVrZTFf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEVDgCAhi0
「fuck？」我補充。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDpOWjolI5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReU2YcmFVd
「女巫與血樹嘅傳說。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgwVQyIYgX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPsfyFW6OJ
＊193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KQPGod5WJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZRYBHC8xx
那是1997年前10月31日，Tim最後一次看到Patricia和小男孩Jack。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYui5ugvDB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5azHXFX4R
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFVm40YgO3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExSQTsub9Q
「Patricia，佢又打你？」Tim瞧看Patricia的墨鏡，看見眉角的傷口。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKsdY9bPQn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5jqx6CN0m
Patricia趕忙搖頭：「唔，係我唔小心撞親。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5Q6ONFwcT
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ862z9HlX3s
「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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJnJuZ2y90
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV97u6enx0
「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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikbqS831la
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLpt2VbaG9
「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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMEuqltnfN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZph6LAGSN
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eL2RJgeul
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIBNrZVxDz
Patricia尷尬地笑道：「Simon好快就冇事。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiGDrxt1hS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6nNnG3EpF
「你聽我講，血樹傳說可能係真，嗰塊地係不祥之地。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqV8xUvpQo
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhK09cNe7a
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvyWuhF0z8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtmK0l9dmo
信仰是一把雙面刃，能帶給人們希望，同時也可以是絕望。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkmcnep08W
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gPA0g7Eyl
「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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRRoACXAPe
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiToaGHSEEO
「討伐女巫！！！將女巫吊死！！！」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jO2zRhnRG
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRDTTcGp0n
「燒死可惡嘅女巫！」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02uy37qdGC
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeluI2LzX3n
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZvjzfwmPE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw3wO3VWEs
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhZN1TfDTE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL1nCjFXBY
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZKXKffqhc
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37kq2mL5F9
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95ps6W8ZJq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzO8Ej9uqB
風吹過，能聽見淒厲的慘叫聲。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzTp5kvB9r
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6UcCOnB6s
砍進樹幹，流出來的是腥紅的鮮血。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCSJu707kB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYePI8cojq9
將濕潤的泥土拿上手把玩，殘留強烈的血腥味。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV5EgObLeA
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz2rJcoXlV
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAP0oaYuGZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpAriaQSui
「Tim，真係唔使擔心我哋。」Patricia握住Tim的手，衷心感謝Tim的關心。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62ziULrzzH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAwSOMVZAT
「Jack，過嚟同Tim叔叔講媽媽教你嘅說話。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7bvLhug5s
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMycdnswVBL
「知道！」小男孩穿著白色小西裝，跑到Tim的面前。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSfH2wHqTV
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbbTJGNvTz
「The sky is blue⋯⋯」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiNno5TuYP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lHxMC7MPe
「The grass is green⋯⋯」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8t86EV3tT
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0294ylv0W
「May we have our Halloween？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7vW4GN814
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSeEwC4lMs
「If not a penny, a ha’penny will do⋯⋯」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKxfpNwyiZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5jfQlQK5q
「If not a ha’ penny, then God bless you!」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gtn7jbaZn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiChjKg33t
男孩Jack 吐舌，乖巧地伸出手。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEm8hzBwG9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB24rUJx4j
「Trick or treat？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXyLJEFrOK
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe48asp86P
＊193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80InMjRkWl
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ630UBzXh1J
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。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzCnzvLx8y
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOQKKluyG8
Patricia和小男孩Jack正是一直纏著他們的鬼母子！193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtOPdNyIIJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4zlF3JSbz
「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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8l2pSUTQq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5lcUtC9e1
「離奇？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6C4kfRW7V
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSJhU5Eo4K
「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？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCOic8KfC0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr75nxV0vUN
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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP9DhMtiUO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbpWFziJ6i
Mia不解地問道：「你點解肯定佢哋死咗？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWekAB1w2mE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoCHDcVAJw
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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoEvm7nIwn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNq5JH3icx
「等等先，我唔係好明白。」我聽得一頭冒水。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNciP4QV3XA
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xx89QKWzG
「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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM48XxmeJn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs1UDgYaIP
很綠，十分綠。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTuTqjGX6l
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfDP4T1kuA
他的綠，比巴西龜、忍者龜和Marvel的變形俠醫都比下去。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyyJWk7mbV
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrTDM1EuSX
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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAEowsyOFS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfTDMYhQys
「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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT49CpoQ71
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnGuathj1f
「佢居然冇自殺？」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi1ScZbzh3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcPu8q0dCz
Mia瞪我一眼，用力踩在我的腳背上。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYnfmYJDYb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT0FTBQEGY
「唔好意思。」我聳肩道歉。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZt21HP4lZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UYw7np5vZ
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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKUiGmVO3X
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP47DFkyD1
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。」193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b6lTamZdo
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mruqTW1wl
這是Tim跟我們說最後一段說話。193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rfb4NEwRq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzXRlKHsYH
＊193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cW23LsCC4
