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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu0KecVWtO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgB66oLjAm
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqk3seuact
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu1SGA88Hq
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW49FRLyK2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwfHkf96We
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP5qUqrcaF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSO36KmVsE
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2sMPD5YIS
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8npLsyN3w
樂觀地想，至少我們並沒有送命。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlYagTXY0f
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvosPhxKoVM
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt62oAyqfD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGhb1n8tJl
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2Ekwl64JV
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfH0NSL1Nx
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？174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVXKHVUMra
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3opnL8PTAD
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？174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tcYfjXpqB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPpBdEAyks
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47Wdo8JW46
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaUkXisaFM
「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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzx22VIvG8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPDxkPCTuk
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7XtzFz8au
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNX1jrFxpe
風鈴再次被風響了。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnfftgKoHY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjwp87bLLP
Mia忽然問道：「Steven，你住嘅呢條街唔算多人慶祝萬聖節。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIldjgGJbdu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVrQaV0Wqs
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44TI48chjh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqguYJGkER
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI0F2I4ISM
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO48A3l9Tc
「殺死我！」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgzlMlUdek
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxae1cL4S7i
「再快啲！再快啲！我要死喇！」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTMDdfwk4L
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrw5ZK9npc
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqJOJeAAXZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUTdjGR5rl
但，我的性經驗不是重點。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcPXQnOCpi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cnq8LKVvf
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEh8lo30tH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP6ln7qpOv
「可能舊居民冇慶祝節日嘅習慣？」我不怎確定地對Mia解釋。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufWLcl4WiY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXZ0QBsGk4
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviF4TENbZa
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMVTH2n43o
「大家只係唔慶祝萬聖節。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9JgA1FWM6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWk1KbT4t3
轉頭一瞥，我們與Tim的視線剛好對上。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWMOPRwK2u
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7inOoelCZ7
Tim是「完全沒有佈置」的一派。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn2LKXH8Hp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmBEJSXoUH
他關掉噏噏震動的剪草機，瞇起眼瞧看陰雲滿佈的天空。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv3ns5UwN7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr3TbLtk1L
「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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfEwWo7fTm
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEPRB9GV2P
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoh1SJYE9V
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mwHM94ds0
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7pxW3YNpx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn8g19dUVO
我追問道：「點解大家唔慶祝萬聖節？係唔係怕啲咩？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdLW65VlRe
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR4EVzEyFs
「你哋還好？」Tim停雨腳步，神色複雜地回望我們。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmfBsTS7x6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp13X8UC5rY
我沒有回答他的問題，直勾勾地看著他。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS552h3Elwh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHzI1WGbKz
Mia說道：「我哋想知道『萬聖節』嘅事。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8al7sRayaJ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H7Xd7BsmN
Tim低吟兩秒，應道：「如果你哋唔趕時間，入嚟飲杯咖啡吧。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtFS3OcT9Q
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEVlbeSozk
如是者，Mia和我在Tim的邀請下到他的家作客。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0ZKx02CHR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydSbDV1LnB
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i74l7DIBa
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbChRWqD9OM
窗戶外下起毛毛細雨，窗台上的花瓶，插著一束白花。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM4Pwu8fro
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUcK0MPTJe
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvreiuZ62yM
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcEcUSaa0z
嗒，嗒。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QSq9ZW8bx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LTTkllfri
「Come on，you little shit⋯⋯」Tim 抱怨兩句後，爐頭亮起火光。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrwzmaVUCu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUOQaP8c0B
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SLtL6NML9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRei1SqJtH
一家四口的全家幅。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLgb4ikmRD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M8A4lnlm7
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj7bYH8Uqn
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNqQDykFFQ
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM1vGfXgiG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUmwhdpeev
「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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3CKGzqw8N
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AY3Uk5iwF
「唔好意思。」 我尷尬一笑。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2g1J4tnZn
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOivqhsSyS7
「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？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy2KEqtzwE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx3cYv2dXD
「因為見到你哋屋企冇萬聖節裝飾。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFT2GCHXyN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUtRHQqvpH
「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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmjcvz1kst
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ713AbJTXqm
「宗教信仰？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmsXfblJJH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKQtuWoLD4
Tim 搖了搖頭。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxZtd7jcxC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cxDhxjooa
「你哋無對佢哋解釋？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkcNpc2hn5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVYNEEa1Ev
「冇人願意提，而且有啲事知得愈少愈好。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxLjMThuUi
「但你同我哋講嘅原因係？」Mia疑惑。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuc2XyD98f
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyZvtPIhtd
「因為我想搵後生女仔陪我呢個大叔傾計解悶囉，嘿嘿。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7wJ7uCXPY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArRLlmRQM2
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YFI2Xx9LT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkFLMoPSwQ
「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』？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LRhKlqArv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cOnRAUIqf
Tim口中的「他們」顯然指那對鬼母子！174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8el3zyvec
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHOCEAZk0M
我和Mia不約而同點頭。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnEEynlpcg
「你知道佢哋存在？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JMp2lOj2w
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcphmigxPYd
「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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8he7vzOoJ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOihkJ82mhM
「唔係每一年？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynNiOifVrt
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXedqwWYT7b
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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhQGjh9viF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH3WhMMc1H
「所以你都見過？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgLkDfMlQV
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkiJPW51Bb
「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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeqgJCJdR1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKiPYshSjF
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⋯⋯174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncn3KS77MB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V5dKnXn6i
＊174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUfIs7qMf1
＊174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6dLtCcZpc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMESCKctMf
嚓。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq4duUHrR8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmDSyCMwjF
「喔，唔該唔該。」Tim輕拍遞上火機的手示意。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7gOKBzWhE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9jVyaSaHm
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yhBBveoha
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw7ABDy1t7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4nGpdZtuq
這個壞男人叫Simon，這個故事不能或缺的男主角 。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7x0K1qDLw
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWYt8Artbk
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBbUDsSmUE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0XCgnJeIa
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC7bRU0Xj4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqjagqf352
Patricia沒有大小姐脾氣，是一個賢淑的妻子，也是一個好母親。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKWqv2DOuQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXzgkOoB4s
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEFgDDrJAP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDo9PxhKW2
跟一般當地人一樣，他們在假日經常聚會，因此。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh3DDHd6Ga
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NfSLkfXje
「係喇，我之前見到Patricia⋯⋯佢塊面瘀咗，唔會係你打佢吧？」Tim試探道。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMRAaJj2Bd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr4dlncIkR
Simon呼出一口煙：「唔關我事，佢自己唔小心跌親。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBowu5OJuba
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe56BhzVGK
Tim看到對方迴避自己的目光，頓時心裡有數。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEpSA6Ym82
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXp3gH2z2S
「今次輸幾多錢？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTQXsQi9AY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gzUNizSc5
Simon聞言，露出一抹笑容，彷彿一直在等Tim這句話。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MVT236R41
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznNDhjiRKl
「兩千鎊。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sV7EqnQBM
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9U9ubKMFw
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vwytRGCn5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6KNOjZwT5
「最後一次，唔好再拎去賭。自從你搬咗去嗰間屋⋯⋯」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH7cLp6aR0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsGSmBMD9G
「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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRGAxUtPDC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIwhBTcLc4
這是1997年，萬聖節前的一個星期。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcPuHApMSE
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yoSmXrLq0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9Rz7HmDIE
「Simon，你再考慮清楚先。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDDAy2OT1y
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5omH2rlFM
「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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLdZPahQ57
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuG6vmTMqe
「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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzD2rsYP2l
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5X3sOFc4u
然而，Tim的妻子的說詞卻是不一。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3HsG73TFK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6vdmSwtN7
「其實我都覺得住近啲好⋯⋯大家有個照應。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7KudfWkOW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ57X4MVgIs
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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqhY5S4wU2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ur1H3ONQl
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjmoagMijT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx7Q3yMzzn
富不過三代，但窮絕對可以，是一種惡性循環。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYRW0JUA2I
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B994Z5hJ9
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？174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YXBhcy3jh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vxRwGYDtW
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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4ZXHMUhDX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjKff4OnPA
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbK6JZlM8o
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkdWuMHjwH
他的目光被空地邊緣的小黃花吸引。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kTVNGCTJQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAKYUaSBIe
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfblCDdyn6Q
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L15pDf5Yn
＊174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGEXsnucM8
＊174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvBtJkOMjw
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzHY9XN3GC
Tim捻熄煙蒂，若有所思地攪動杯中的咖啡。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLsa5EURbl
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMk5DXrELG
「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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAhfKsoMcd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxDneR9osT
「佢之後開始輸錢？」我並不意外。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBmavJX5Uy
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX0KBogYn5
輸錢皆因贏錢起，這可是老生常談。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTafTxnItF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5SCM32PPr
「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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk4R2HjFqn
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ikO40ZGC1
「傳說，你最初勸Simon 唔好買嘅原因？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAuJK5Y74l
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfnlcD01EU
Tim點點頭：「血樹傳說。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3pUuq42TW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO8Drf9Hgl
「What the⋯⋯」Mia說。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYjOyIu2J0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMSyZTwfPB
「fuck？」我補充。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdFj4Im0iu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbJUxgsuVQ
「女巫與血樹嘅傳說。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqAMVxSM8y
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlWXABqzRw
＊174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXiYBJ2cx7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJd3vd2e07
那是1997年前10月31日，Tim最後一次看到Patricia和小男孩Jack。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDuvTxjhOK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAalgbyWNx
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO1DPcZSwi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOLbCZZSIM
「Patricia，佢又打你？」Tim瞧看Patricia的墨鏡，看見眉角的傷口。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8b6pEAH30
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKQq7wCODX
Patricia趕忙搖頭：「唔，係我唔小心撞親。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB5DtkN1BH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtcOLqoGKf
「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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH58VlYdYM
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vxdxycyWH
「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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0wXbMEvY6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRS9ki2TcY
「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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxs7ZNNMqo
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCNh9IGxEW
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLu9eja0e0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzmslu3hsf
Patricia尷尬地笑道：「Simon好快就冇事。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntavokE711
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiLIfdquuw
「你聽我講，血樹傳說可能係真，嗰塊地係不祥之地。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcluA3R5Kz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj320O8hCP
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwau4BgKEx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVkxcoIqjg
信仰是一把雙面刃，能帶給人們希望，同時也可以是絕望。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7TIsyEZQp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIcyF2SeET
「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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7lKmzedsy
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQE6AI2CPm
「討伐女巫！！！將女巫吊死！！！」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcR2Wofnot
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq07aqzEfGK
「燒死可惡嘅女巫！」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLg2HheGmZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98OzGbbJSC
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1VhQKMyeA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1olec4eMT
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQO79hwGm0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4mjXVocfy
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5IYTxYhu1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaebp3OBtwq
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8zZ0ruR43
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhQP0C9Ln8
風吹過，能聽見淒厲的慘叫聲。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm00n4iI6G
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKTpENTY79
砍進樹幹，流出來的是腥紅的鮮血。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzynPrW8LT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCEi9ZsOec
將濕潤的泥土拿上手把玩，殘留強烈的血腥味。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIDaBYazD2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIojM0R5Ke
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilBMWeqWxA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6icszTsog9
「Tim，真係唔使擔心我哋。」Patricia握住Tim的手，衷心感謝Tim的關心。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wCTEs4nkQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OMmQmRFRK
「Jack，過嚟同Tim叔叔講媽媽教你嘅說話。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuaTjxqH0N
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviPBG4Aa8L
「知道！」小男孩穿著白色小西裝，跑到Tim的面前。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewpSWZKcjZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDFLTImGT8
「The sky is blue⋯⋯」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDrXls7NKO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHxaLlKhHL
「The grass is green⋯⋯」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RBuOXkQMn
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpiRuZQdxj
「May we have our Halloween？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtn87EHr2o
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhtygiNWL5
「If not a penny, a ha’penny will do⋯⋯」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKekNESYdd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0qLK7Cu4C
「If not a ha’ penny, then God bless you!」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXJujEdJNR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx9PPKFzCt
男孩Jack 吐舌，乖巧地伸出手。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39hhijAe2h
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROWloWSnwd
「Trick or treat？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4AHfE2zmE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ55nUIghzP
＊174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis1cENXFBK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D8KGIfwP2
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。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr8OtOSIDG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ut6MbYGI1
Patricia和小男孩Jack正是一直纏著他們的鬼母子！174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN7eYss2PQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUMXXjM0xT
「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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ492PB77IbU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8omLE7I655
「離奇？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIVeAJNezg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H8L3JnyOE
「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？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6Lt7UjqYY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4F4zyQP14
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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktiFJUjnL7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9joJ4ULxv
Mia不解地問道：「你點解肯定佢哋死咗？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLzTsGq24R
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSHA27F7Ld
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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmyZ42woZc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkc0u2StkH
「等等先，我唔係好明白。」我聽得一頭冒水。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBgzLs029l
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF94WDerGoq
「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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCpYAi239z
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydwryCWSlf
很綠，十分綠。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vAkiigb4e
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHZKg8Wws8
他的綠，比巴西龜、忍者龜和Marvel的變形俠醫都比下去。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCw7k7stqb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ccnYH9QhP
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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVypxT5Fwhd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcOXx0JqKP
「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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBpU91lni4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1g1NhI2YI
「佢居然冇自殺？」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycas1i26aj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvX1nbUtP9
Mia瞪我一眼，用力踩在我的腳背上。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotEJGIcq6v
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7SRdojcJU
「唔好意思。」我聳肩道歉。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59ZLh1JTTX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGJBFC4Nis
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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP71XY1kvK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTI8JXefO9
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。」174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoVFRVE3Ou
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRAJqTtq7V
這是Tim跟我們說最後一段說話。174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQCa9EBTi3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ktgqv2aQA
＊174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmHbQ2BKYC
