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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDMqVELzGc
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3vedYggeu
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmtAFqBikX
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TKOtx4Etr
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlQgMwdyh7
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkswN96JsWL
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36B9wYSEIe
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGaBKCA0ZI
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuSIa6Gvvm
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpBs3xbavx
樂觀地想，至少我們並沒有送命。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqzjA9vhHu
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeYntilLzv
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldWzqQU414
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNtV9C6buE
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgHrXQsP7O
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKkLU1leOa
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？177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaZX6OqcTf
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVomkizJLZ
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？177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QQZRUbinb
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Eow7tlaY2
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wWq2FM7G5
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYDbldZtxs
「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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnaOfx1hDA
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs36jQZtWY8
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXW9iTz0ua
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJLzYvgYw8
風鈴再次被風響了。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEvyNPOKJS
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuR3Ha5QF0
Mia忽然問道：「Steven，你住嘅呢條街唔算多人慶祝萬聖節。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhuzGpg8zw
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D3bnrzitP
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzh7kiuBFZ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU32s8lFssy
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GNPFshvHh
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8dfEyQIjM
「殺死我！」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxW92AUwKO
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlzXiIGX2d
「再快啲！再快啲！我要死喇！」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpxxJ4wAPj
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETqAyfapGv
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpTNtH9TfG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLUzvWCR6g
但，我的性經驗不是重點。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oXk7ZxZLB
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXVjSUGfgN
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy0sAMwkXq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMgttJ798v
「可能舊居民冇慶祝節日嘅習慣？」我不怎確定地對Mia解釋。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt8yC4NNkL
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpwGQBpeIx
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN58CTWe8ur
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADXVJ2e5u0
「大家只係唔慶祝萬聖節。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cBlYxbsn6
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhMV9eP0Pm
轉頭一瞥，我們與Tim的視線剛好對上。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4279NqO378
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhagkiApYMv
Tim是「完全沒有佈置」的一派。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdlVFDwB7H
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEbLvxqCa2
他關掉噏噏震動的剪草機，瞇起眼瞧看陰雲滿佈的天空。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa4Z9sJdVZ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTX7K9XWI6
「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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcecFhWE72a
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIEgxyhLAN
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYt3AppzHh
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpokIvy3thT
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4SAOXI0nQ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaGCrEkvNd
我追問道：「點解大家唔慶祝萬聖節？係唔係怕啲咩？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySbJZ7BRT9
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jsDWG5m1s
「你哋還好？」Tim停雨腳步，神色複雜地回望我們。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nDluwpzaX
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7xtRMV1eR
我沒有回答他的問題，直勾勾地看著他。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH8epmd2yE
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vYhcAL3Qq
Mia說道：「我哋想知道『萬聖節』嘅事。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYzMsAEzOd
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4lwYZvHZp
Tim低吟兩秒，應道：「如果你哋唔趕時間，入嚟飲杯咖啡吧。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb74fYl9xy
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzwRVQsyjR
如是者，Mia和我在Tim的邀請下到他的家作客。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOTP5ijrmT
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NxBMV5ssX
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS4QR2ktqy
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLeTZ3CXJo
窗戶外下起毛毛細雨，窗台上的花瓶，插著一束白花。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQv5inb1gJ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33KVY1Yyn1
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZZrlBODwm
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwfmbWz5K4
嗒，嗒。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU9LEEBlze
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPRS2jLsnn
「Come on，you little shit⋯⋯」Tim 抱怨兩句後，爐頭亮起火光。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN22Z7WEV9e
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jV0cF5kyR
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQweafyeep
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdS47MY7eV
一家四口的全家幅。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuM3gB3SFJ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7Mtwv6MEs
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CNiW7QALy
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrHbSuHywR
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V2TPLK45b
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDpbs4D3V7
「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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0Ts2KJz0M
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GqbtwPAMz
「唔好意思。」 我尷尬一笑。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVMOtUA0Dy
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHieCQNcl3
「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？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsAOBzKRw4
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgiMWFcEJL
「因為見到你哋屋企冇萬聖節裝飾。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMfrTN7tmm
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWr5X3KLbv
「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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gIAPH5sPs
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBfmnBoLJV
「宗教信仰？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDIOND4hrl
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrS4XfGU5j
Tim 搖了搖頭。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiRnOSRUHe
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UJAcsUxKe
「你哋無對佢哋解釋？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBHlE1l7nK
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClE3OHjQ5u
「冇人願意提，而且有啲事知得愈少愈好。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK4vM3HP54
「但你同我哋講嘅原因係？」Mia疑惑。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9JQAdoQLx
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lGrLLNiLk
「因為我想搵後生女仔陪我呢個大叔傾計解悶囉，嘿嘿。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxswkwRImtr
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcvU1h15oE
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO3KGR3wBZ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHQkyH047d
「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』？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsTahZfZBA
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf537xW32Gf
Tim口中的「他們」顯然指那對鬼母子！177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVssrmH6KVf
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpssE6kXT5V
我和Mia不約而同點頭。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBtOFEBb5z
「你知道佢哋存在？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlSCh6QP2i
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PHZl8ECW9
「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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKwtbME0nA
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I6jcVisw1
「唔係每一年？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHSac0ujT8
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPRGpw7prX
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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHKzbilMGV
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVr8QurI6f
「所以你都見過？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iI0yJQ6F1
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkREuIQ3kkc
「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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyZH5me1ZN
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYcJHw2r9E
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⋯⋯177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit1npy3GD6
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6YcJnSBT5
＊177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCbTiiqIAa
＊177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiXV2JxxGZ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSshCM241T
嚓。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewA0ePPT8R
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJDQwdgbQN
「喔，唔該唔該。」Tim輕拍遞上火機的手示意。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38OOQkRcFa
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjObsLxcwR
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIt0awk5bX
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP9ttlfLYd
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk5gCTcbXb
這個壞男人叫Simon，這個故事不能或缺的男主角 。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVRVYuOGbk
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFCf7Wup13
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR3MYQMmaS
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KJ7raM0xW
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzhUV2wprc
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXHo70GW6m
Patricia沒有大小姐脾氣，是一個賢淑的妻子，也是一個好母親。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkLAjY6K6Q
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxtdbPmyu6
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfHWMnKQek
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnH2uSJGlT
跟一般當地人一樣，他們在假日經常聚會，因此。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2PtSWdkse
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbrzQb2cFh
「係喇，我之前見到Patricia⋯⋯佢塊面瘀咗，唔會係你打佢吧？」Tim試探道。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTftEOxs8vu
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxTICuNZAY
Simon呼出一口煙：「唔關我事，佢自己唔小心跌親。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJTIv61DVb
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvkDSucyLT
Tim看到對方迴避自己的目光，頓時心裡有數。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrPevEKAUw
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLY3fSPGa6
「今次輸幾多錢？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4lGymLCcY
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoULIkaK2yQ
Simon聞言，露出一抹笑容，彷彿一直在等Tim這句話。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsDR9Ofx2K
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ242qaSRsLG
「兩千鎊。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPuTJOKjle
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGDFaXP9xO
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB3FVgjSIR
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCAOVP3Q9S
「最後一次，唔好再拎去賭。自從你搬咗去嗰間屋⋯⋯」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb1NuJwEkp
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyl2jiziyN
「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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u2CHvPIj3
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrJnjlXQza
這是1997年，萬聖節前的一個星期。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9CZb6nRpy
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL5zGFaN8t
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA5dr4RCoG
「Simon，你再考慮清楚先。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCgusuA7QC
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfFwzKqeRz
「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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t52l8yibt
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gXtUwKFit
「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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5RYrejbUy
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQx1kvLEZB
然而，Tim的妻子的說詞卻是不一。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZx47kIbse
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVvS725QuJ
「其實我都覺得住近啲好⋯⋯大家有個照應。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uBjSpyDRj
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhklfepupcZ
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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2qxEqEND5
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKowaD7Frv
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbY3H58VDy
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOO6apKSfB
富不過三代，但窮絕對可以，是一種惡性循環。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKwr02rW7I
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9cQ7XJEtB
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？177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0wzKfHeRf
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb1fFfRlHr
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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62vhtOepp7
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lHmvgx5CB
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXaR2dTbST
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO5Os33yXJ
他的目光被空地邊緣的小黃花吸引。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwBzBRIvpd
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzeYDbT6rE
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDTEhioAsg
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaPmSM3gp2
＊177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK44oYSRCX
＊177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7loKeCaezy
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCTKtrP4re
Tim捻熄煙蒂，若有所思地攪動杯中的咖啡。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSFN52Lw3k
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NGQIeu9X2
「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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEexhaHg45
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU31rZcuKP9
「佢之後開始輸錢？」我並不意外。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqYaQcG3vP
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Sad3zRIs6
輸錢皆因贏錢起，這可是老生常談。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwEFal8wS8
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd5TawK2lg
「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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLknY5E1GvG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodkt6LzSY4
「傳說，你最初勸Simon 唔好買嘅原因？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy2aFsKaSv
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrw6si3WFX
Tim點點頭：「血樹傳說。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27vpnIq0Hs
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAWkzUZd0D
「What the⋯⋯」Mia說。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1QBf1Ew4V
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dARu3kkR9
「fuck？」我補充。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY5F9pjKUr
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ift2E6Rwp
「女巫與血樹嘅傳說。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3C14nYg34
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrufkdxgjE1
＊177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzRRhYijWr
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaIXTj8C9m
那是1997年前10月31日，Tim最後一次看到Patricia和小男孩Jack。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpenvwgA4k
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo8pEowIOK
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY7rPh2vyk
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74z5HVTwtm
「Patricia，佢又打你？」Tim瞧看Patricia的墨鏡，看見眉角的傷口。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVIcC8BKf9
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhMOm13z1t
Patricia趕忙搖頭：「唔，係我唔小心撞親。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhh9frmoDl
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O3mhsIkjU
「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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWttkikiPzG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqKQOWiXIu
「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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATfy1cvt8e
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjRBc6dEm3
「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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1xYzZeH1S
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEoAHThEy0
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR9WrUyQdS
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyezXgNGIX
Patricia尷尬地笑道：「Simon好快就冇事。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDc2l3i628
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpB044HYV8
「你聽我講，血樹傳說可能係真，嗰塊地係不祥之地。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6ki7wXCUS
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMycRRQTmAr
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiuYBwH0jb
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpNev655tS
信仰是一把雙面刃，能帶給人們希望，同時也可以是絕望。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpauJqXwLNZ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmue1iW1TQ
「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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHwA1ESYJZ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBfR4XSOac
「討伐女巫！！！將女巫吊死！！！」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy7v2zERvf
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OxsKvXJVq
「燒死可惡嘅女巫！」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjV3me46Cj
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnhBeiqEJ8
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaFcbYqrPS
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPKRBOESet
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCyPEggKXe
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx0TKLaJ6b
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHcZ9YhCKk
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHd7YMP55S
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBi6dogP4S
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY42gYs5HU2
風吹過，能聽見淒厲的慘叫聲。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF78qdOAq2
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw82C6XD5Xi
砍進樹幹，流出來的是腥紅的鮮血。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEedlHeMyUe
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eJDqhZOfQ
將濕潤的泥土拿上手把玩，殘留強烈的血腥味。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0rB1ZbyTH
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5sHQljtSO
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O9gyAloGt
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG9KJDAOtO
「Tim，真係唔使擔心我哋。」Patricia握住Tim的手，衷心感謝Tim的關心。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p9vfrcXqI
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLijJNajTe
「Jack，過嚟同Tim叔叔講媽媽教你嘅說話。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJFNROZnQT
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHHhyoP6LC
「知道！」小男孩穿著白色小西裝，跑到Tim的面前。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iwox3xa5s
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNXZscddNZ
「The sky is blue⋯⋯」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkebXMbuyW3
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXRzGcjKGs
「The grass is green⋯⋯」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vfM9jdQxg
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RSOHiEK3y
「May we have our Halloween？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGEpfU5D7q
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFFcDC5MaQ
「If not a penny, a ha’penny will do⋯⋯」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH95C3knxGd
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRDRhHY7Y8
「If not a ha’ penny, then God bless you!」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAZ0LS6P9G
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0opd7bp2G
男孩Jack 吐舌，乖巧地伸出手。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIuqgTTDQD
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6kLQbsrvq
「Trick or treat？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe81IBKE8I
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsFZHQHZcn
＊177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Jx4K4NJl
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8kw38tdL9
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。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2SuTH6PfA
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJrCeLS4z5
Patricia和小男孩Jack正是一直纏著他們的鬼母子！177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5B39K73Iy
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfBfO5NyUO
「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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeT2is64uM
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiCUY2NVPA
「離奇？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdzufBBUDO
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliPNxIj5rY
「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？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIsDp8X0zY
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfT6UflyFV
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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTASqXgVyn
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwfJU2wS3R
Mia不解地問道：「你點解肯定佢哋死咗？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGpvIfsE02
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWGLvHi0KE
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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTiOijWtKQ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7LwoFbVMj
「等等先，我唔係好明白。」我聽得一頭冒水。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA1swGebOI
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgM5DLH2Gj
「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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstqPHCTyIY
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy21ex89bE
很綠，十分綠。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHAXHQBQeD
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBOlUBJg8X
他的綠，比巴西龜、忍者龜和Marvel的變形俠醫都比下去。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8chZE9H8W7
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeughBlGWqG
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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW8s92Uwzi
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJiGxKFja0
「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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjFhcTHqyD
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaa0RYNwSa
「佢居然冇自殺？」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12VlGWUKwi
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzushx666Qo
Mia瞪我一眼，用力踩在我的腳背上。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINlcrxQrKk
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvSzqUR2E8
「唔好意思。」我聳肩道歉。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTDt1ODJaC
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuftIFCBGLg
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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Xnua85KV
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXMk8N8Mlp
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。」177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TS62iZagn
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2XVSfL0Pi
這是Tim跟我們說最後一段說話。177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMVtrLA2KC
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyDBsJKgBW
＊177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeaSkdZPYA
