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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMl6oTowqd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqcs23XflP
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbZyUmOLSY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmxS10J9hX
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUsYPVRKzL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZae5uC4ug
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcCZDZvxHq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zMwaNNmIA
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc7ErqycOh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRajqmOiJK9
樂觀地想，至少我們並沒有送命。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFjV0pG1t6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2fIsjoBuc
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01ZLrzbOyn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d4l9HxzrR
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AuKbtbPbM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3qKWrIy1i
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？176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJROdOGf1J4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R3QEU2dN5
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？176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X7jQvdsLR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTOif5oEOE
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKW1R5obFp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHElKa5xATe
「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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyANlv8Cto
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKTtOnwTtJ
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuRcPbERVX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf1O48uzx8
風鈴再次被風響了。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfFMBiTzEc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdmrhHFRDd
Mia忽然問道：「Steven，你住嘅呢條街唔算多人慶祝萬聖節。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzcxVwjwV9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwzOlUgwow
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnipq8LeM7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCMoSDXY2S
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl6VGHvfEQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdGf9vvwF9
「殺死我！」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFSUTqiEhp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0hbV0llTa
「再快啲！再快啲！我要死喇！」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ2TwVtNjN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bEZOCtsfT
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4gCNlF7Am
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMasHSb3gE
但，我的性經驗不是重點。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuntky5BYHT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlbUCm0hu3
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO82HnJ69o
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh8gf9RBur
「可能舊居民冇慶祝節日嘅習慣？」我不怎確定地對Mia解釋。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTmNakqa8p
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb3N7xEqR1
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lDV5d87Dg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTBhXlEG7X
「大家只係唔慶祝萬聖節。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mBWCM2J99
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhYkapZX11
轉頭一瞥，我們與Tim的視線剛好對上。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5A4wTx9Nr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VLGTj83eI
Tim是「完全沒有佈置」的一派。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUhyv3JuA0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeyHEsFISD
他關掉噏噏震動的剪草機，瞇起眼瞧看陰雲滿佈的天空。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGAn8vjJsN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3L3leGaMW
「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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxx2v51qOz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ42y6iqyf
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrfa8oaPEf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEqH3sm6S7
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls8LkZ3mbQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DWVrmoyy4
我追問道：「點解大家唔慶祝萬聖節？係唔係怕啲咩？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaNa7V9C38
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaibd0628tu
「你哋還好？」Tim停雨腳步，神色複雜地回望我們。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeGr5mPpyj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBgI8UMD8g
我沒有回答他的問題，直勾勾地看著他。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn329jSmhC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNdhIOIgpY
Mia說道：「我哋想知道『萬聖節』嘅事。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtuEkEwr84
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnu98xQdlm
Tim低吟兩秒，應道：「如果你哋唔趕時間，入嚟飲杯咖啡吧。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYSfZRZ6md
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8N8CSoTaS
如是者，Mia和我在Tim的邀請下到他的家作客。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMC2WDLBcO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMTJjvzP5T
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE3Y9kpcho
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOROebr26R
窗戶外下起毛毛細雨，窗台上的花瓶，插著一束白花。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQTw5A9Dux
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FjiTFLPCZ
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKcUyVBSJR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6PtMqCSll
嗒，嗒。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKEl542mUY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFC3lvz6An
「Come on，you little shit⋯⋯」Tim 抱怨兩句後，爐頭亮起火光。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XvyD3ZoaG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnQlA5ufRF
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufhlanluMs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHPw7h3NkH
一家四口的全家幅。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcxi3oIQ8t
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE7wKClRq6
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxj20LCM7e
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6WrRuWPCA
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nc0euzKht
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSOCdYuhRV
「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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQTw3RSbbE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1O6Lgq6hx
「唔好意思。」 我尷尬一笑。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71v9rvZ6y7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEDk9SpMKp
「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？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xpu5jylZg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYm4LTcAIn
「因為見到你哋屋企冇萬聖節裝飾。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKMaNpysyR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerXAPp46PZ
「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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mGU8E8gTb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqMumYMhrp
「宗教信仰？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvEjbN5x4E
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2x8Bj4YNX
Tim 搖了搖頭。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1lefXrOTL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMwLWHQNOP
「你哋無對佢哋解釋？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rhcrJ8IWr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjvLTz5idZ
「冇人願意提，而且有啲事知得愈少愈好。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhkXlPs9pt
「但你同我哋講嘅原因係？」Mia疑惑。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxdSsO4Upc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5VyQ09kip
「因為我想搵後生女仔陪我呢個大叔傾計解悶囉，嘿嘿。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNj3fOPCxB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3CynRfLsg
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmofD5ncp4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzqzzdHnAg
「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』？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWAxe87EGN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIpESO1AKA
Tim口中的「他們」顯然指那對鬼母子！176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2cXKploq4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQp0Tk7uon
我和Mia不約而同點頭。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaGSVKUajB
「你知道佢哋存在？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wMyke8XUp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7jv7yDa12
「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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6eQALdkD5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r6ojp1ha9
「唔係每一年？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNY6iZ8nZH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Jgri65EYm
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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5AXa6u5CE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DlvyCllsB
「所以你都見過？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJqW2DJIXC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo0tnMU6Kg
「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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqDm7xMkrR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CfTj2nbBT
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⋯⋯176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqt7BRnzOI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wYCNAt7kh
＊176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8SgGZ9oqJ
＊176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFDTmBS5Z2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc4lsQrrjR
嚓。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1bsCaclhW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOPYslppU3
「喔，唔該唔該。」Tim輕拍遞上火機的手示意。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nAkLJzks6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8eYzoJK2q
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3fUXfrnIu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJBGOXncD5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxOzfI18ig
這個壞男人叫Simon，這個故事不能或缺的男主角 。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4frCoYAWu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lQoHiqvOs
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcnplSxctw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bpqy13yWc
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnK8hpQAIW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAshO3X67zS
Patricia沒有大小姐脾氣，是一個賢淑的妻子，也是一個好母親。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVyAoYoVT8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1NKkUvM6w
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWqUTdeDPg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNlrTtBb3v
跟一般當地人一樣，他們在假日經常聚會，因此。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCgCKLUsHC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTJXIN8MdS
「係喇，我之前見到Patricia⋯⋯佢塊面瘀咗，唔會係你打佢吧？」Tim試探道。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZf5Mctp9x
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UOSVaZ46w
Simon呼出一口煙：「唔關我事，佢自己唔小心跌親。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68tO0qoDY1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfdcR0Ufd5
Tim看到對方迴避自己的目光，頓時心裡有數。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqmnXP054g
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVJdFGjoWo
「今次輸幾多錢？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCgX0voDtl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrCxikptvD
Simon聞言，露出一抹笑容，彷彿一直在等Tim這句話。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeD7uafJOa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99oEvUh3Gc
「兩千鎊。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BFJWPwd34
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtngiGEZMgt
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArKQ7PsZx1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M2CqHGvvQ
「最後一次，唔好再拎去賭。自從你搬咗去嗰間屋⋯⋯」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHhJtCStsI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29hhTVzO76
「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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqpsMcaGUB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kNeAbKswY
這是1997年，萬聖節前的一個星期。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6kgFaZynX
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxTbfkEeK6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdqzsT6n4Z
「Simon，你再考慮清楚先。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAIaH493FA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhd471enf9
「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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBahhOuqVdd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF094gddduv
「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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDbwaWdjGv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2QpBwPIcX
然而，Tim的妻子的說詞卻是不一。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOpa55HpJ4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0FTkDDPpj
「其實我都覺得住近啲好⋯⋯大家有個照應。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mRv1kyKvl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuN3FMIfzr
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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKPzZ47lwS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicq8NStQUg
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFobh8ZdwY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdJUKha2PE
富不過三代，但窮絕對可以，是一種惡性循環。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzswKTXEsL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOf3wL0cnn
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？176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvq6uC9trb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqJXRLjEWO
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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvQ0WhCsCf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfvN6PwWDl
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmGLwVpINh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26fdPytEIF
他的目光被空地邊緣的小黃花吸引。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKzl6iTC4w
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquLHDcbw5n
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ5jH6nrAX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR7499TB4Q
＊176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTL9MGCEhm
＊176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmpsKYuA5D
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr0qNN8DJW
Tim捻熄煙蒂，若有所思地攪動杯中的咖啡。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRJ6J24m9E
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFRcSuI9Sp
「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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vVmYNwjKk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14jA7iIu70
「佢之後開始輸錢？」我並不意外。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauCdG5dGK8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoWHL6wSbu
輸錢皆因贏錢起，這可是老生常談。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJvQyUckL7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k35zrg6UV
「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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7pNjy6LzZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgpDIQMbnm
「傳說，你最初勸Simon 唔好買嘅原因？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe7lEVbEHu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlkn3wwH9f
Tim點點頭：「血樹傳說。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZECiMfWblU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLnDpLWsjc
「What the⋯⋯」Mia說。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kpbRdbSm9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJXRFsBpoU
「fuck？」我補充。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MdSOxgw2A
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqvxckkXUK
「女巫與血樹嘅傳說。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6v9AulCsR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pzejI7Wg9
＊176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNSv5NJC9n
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjhCz7FcPh
那是1997年前10月31日，Tim最後一次看到Patricia和小男孩Jack。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z01CAQoZr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdDMCIuA22
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuyOy3SrdI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwYn5lApGC
「Patricia，佢又打你？」Tim瞧看Patricia的墨鏡，看見眉角的傷口。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZfC9BmU7Q
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4DjrAa92P
Patricia趕忙搖頭：「唔，係我唔小心撞親。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QGmIbT9o0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGau5cNPeLA
「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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGCxYm5n0W
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs13E1QZnUT
「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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SpFH0TlwT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCBCMf0m3w
「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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pVpCsWYgN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SsdhZJL4H
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvuZWXa6nf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCZ5YhJ3vF
Patricia尷尬地笑道：「Simon好快就冇事。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCjwR2iuZc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3fJh9VmqM
「你聽我講，血樹傳說可能係真，嗰塊地係不祥之地。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9oT42gn3A
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv89Wu1tCMe
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNjyIQ5TDH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNJO5yQ36R
信仰是一把雙面刃，能帶給人們希望，同時也可以是絕望。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPQZAiP2i9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFwNuAuWqQ
「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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQTI9lRVMa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq5UpTfc2w
「討伐女巫！！！將女巫吊死！！！」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGksjEJeQBu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe7bMylgMJ
「燒死可惡嘅女巫！」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP28yK2HPJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZdDYjwbwN
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRdea5W6Mt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3ly1wHAUo
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLkbmfcnHK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqIPRCubiR
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceOaYnaqa6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxtFY6Kb4s
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBtrHtnNM5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVwF1zvIit
風吹過，能聽見淒厲的慘叫聲。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgdIuGIp7u
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j7jDRFOwU
砍進樹幹，流出來的是腥紅的鮮血。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIh3apCD5r
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PKVJAr7bo
將濕潤的泥土拿上手把玩，殘留強烈的血腥味。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgigav4FkCT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNwLpgtBK2
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2A5B4I7KS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFamGmCPozt
「Tim，真係唔使擔心我哋。」Patricia握住Tim的手，衷心感謝Tim的關心。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmD4u3Sztv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSeTJbRQm7
「Jack，過嚟同Tim叔叔講媽媽教你嘅說話。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt31oJuv1CL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk00xXegc21
「知道！」小男孩穿著白色小西裝，跑到Tim的面前。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKKVNFqq6L
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIijxRpjDFO
「The sky is blue⋯⋯」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHd2fe5DxN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoOxfhsS7o
「The grass is green⋯⋯」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcmYatGJyT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw6IB6BNhv
「May we have our Halloween？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5uTxXhrca
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j2v79QNEM
「If not a penny, a ha’penny will do⋯⋯」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXFRMA2wbM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1lavAlX6B
「If not a ha’ penny, then God bless you!」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WIq9cVsH6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4ZLiStdrL
男孩Jack 吐舌，乖巧地伸出手。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0WMu6I6n2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wksDrghza
「Trick or treat？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P2u1KcgiQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PIV8kyYuq
＊176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE8vyRhtHv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRrlJ67F6J
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。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoDin8IqPD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLHukXP2bC
Patricia和小男孩Jack正是一直纏著他們的鬼母子！176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTsrqFZkxv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok9HEZmFXA
「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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRPWYhFmlc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RXJhm7txD
「離奇？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZO1IBmN8w
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg82zKMxu9
「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？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOEa6g2ku1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vE4Kb5uF7
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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCrWeMlTCt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNLksQXs6u
Mia不解地問道：「你點解肯定佢哋死咗？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVBuRheFQo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRVmEnzqkp
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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hwf1XOmDe
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7stmB4dXYY
「等等先，我唔係好明白。」我聽得一頭冒水。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36KEFpub3a
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R1dvUIA02
「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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD2NNMoBo1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRGnJtRwxs
很綠，十分綠。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHRNuRwln2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnna8myaif
他的綠，比巴西龜、忍者龜和Marvel的變形俠醫都比下去。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AkgcB0sL9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV7t8yLQZf
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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hlQFRjFHY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYbSa3gB3b
「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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucDzakg6ho
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHimFDhh4qV
「佢居然冇自殺？」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4xQl3hX60
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMVtyVngOt
Mia瞪我一眼，用力踩在我的腳背上。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCUUoPO6N9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsAy7zlHlE
「唔好意思。」我聳肩道歉。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZRkIbw586
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT7SK7dQJh
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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzBnNapUeT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8w6VWvGVy
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。」176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsWJ8lYXMH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RYz4Es4hN
這是Tim跟我們說最後一段說話。176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMmdbG13mf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGzuG29DQ7
＊176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pxQajnMMt
