第一章 搬入89Please respect copyright.PENANAN5IGhRy60p
89Please respect copyright.PENANABkyPJeycp6
我叫陳默,今年二十八歲,目前無業,獨居,住在江都東區一棟名為「明火公寓」的老舊大廈裏。89Please respect copyright.PENANAxaQQQ4H7Mo
89Please respect copyright.PENANAxyUlXGtdr6
這名字很奇怪,我問過房東,一位戴著老花鏡、說話漏風的阿婆,她只說:「以前這裏叫『明月公寓』,後來有個風水師來說不好,改成了『明火』,說是要壓住什麼東西。」她說完這話就岔開了話題,讓我別再問了。89Please respect copyright.PENANA1rwGmRkYFY
89Please respect copyright.PENANAlaNgFa2Mmj
我當時也沒多想。我這個人,從小就不愛多想。凡事只要能過得去,就懶得深究。這是我活到二十八歲還能保持精神狀態穩定的唯一祕訣——不管世界多麼奇怪,只要我沒親眼見到,就當它不存在。89Please respect copyright.PENANAs5FJsrbb2L
89Please respect copyright.PENANAFryBqYIsve
明火公寓一共有二十四層,每層六戶,我住在二十樓B座。一室一廳,月租八千,在這個地段算是便宜得離譜。搬進來的那天是農曆七月初七,下午三點,我拖著兩個行李箱站在電梯口等電梯。電梯門打開的時候,我看到裏面站著一個穿紅裙子的女人。她看起來大概三十歲左右,長髮披肩,臉色很白,白得不正常的那種白。她衝我笑了笑,然後走出電梯,從我身邊經過。她身上有一股淡淡的焦糊味,像是什麼東西燒過之後留下的那種氣味。89Please respect copyright.PENANA3hCh1Np53I
89Please respect copyright.PENANAxDAo8SIk93
我沒有回頭看。我告訴自己,那是隔壁鄰居在做飯,糊了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1vPqsP3eW
89Please respect copyright.PENANAlCOHsCP597
電梯裏只有我一個人。我按了二十樓,電梯開始上行。顯示屏上的數字從1跳到2,然後是3、4、5……在跳到9的時候,電梯突然晃了一下,發出一陣刺耳的金屬摩擦聲。我下意識地往電梯角落靠了靠,等了幾秒鐘,電梯恢復了正常,繼續往上走。89Please respect copyright.PENANAwHMKm7SvpV
89Please respect copyright.PENANA1acvhMpjJy
到了二十樓,我走出電梯,走廊裏空無一人。走廊的燈是聲控的,我的腳步聲讓燈亮了起來,昏黃的燈光照在灰綠色的牆上,把整個走廊照得像一條通往地下的隧道。我找到B座的門牌號,掏出鑰匙,打開門,把行李拖了進去。89Please respect copyright.PENANA8BUpw17uZM
89Please respect copyright.PENANAfDWKH1d8BC
屋子裏有一股很淡的霉味,陽光從西邊的窗戶照進來,把整個客廳染成了橘黃色。我站在窗前往下看,樓下是一條窄巷,對面是一棟同樣老舊的大樓,兩棟樓之間的距離很近,近到我能看清對面窗戶裏擺著的盆栽——一盆枯萎的綠蘿。89Please respect copyright.PENANAYHeqrgAvhm
89Please respect copyright.PENANAuvJjEUWIwF
我關上了窗戶。89Please respect copyright.PENANA6LleJ8ZaJn
89Please respect copyright.PENANA1QJV5DaAdk
收拾完東西已經傍晚了,我決定出去吃晚飯。出門的時候,我又遇到了那個紅裙子的女人。她就站在走廊盡頭,背對著我,一動不動。我沒有叫她,也沒有走過去,我轉身走向電梯,按了向下的按鈕。89Please respect copyright.PENANAqe6XrsQPHd
89Please respect copyright.PENANAYjx1nrGnCQ
電梯來了,我走進去,在電梯門關上的最後一刻,我聽到走廊裏傳來一個女人的聲音,很輕,像是在唱歌,又像是在哭。89Please respect copyright.PENANApfViSgwhL6
89Please respect copyright.PENANATfXods6tNA
我沒有仔細聽,電梯門關上了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAuAWdvVGx1c
89Please respect copyright.PENANA5nLSobD0MO
那是我在明火公寓的第一個晚上,我做了一個夢,夢見電梯上到第九層的時候,門開了,外面站著一排人,他們一動不動地看著我,每個人都穿著紅色的衣服,臉上沒有表情。我想關電梯門,可是按鈕怎麼按都沒有反應,那些人開始慢慢往前走,朝電梯裏走……89Please respect copyright.PENANAhlOGEBBvxg
89Please respect copyright.PENANAlqX9TqssFt
我醒了,凌晨三點十七分,窗外在下雨,雨聲很大,像是有人在用力的拍打窗戶。我坐起來,看著窗簾,窗簾被風吹動,微微鼓起,然後又落下,鼓起,再落下。89Please respect copyright.PENANAozjJ6KXh0i
89Please respect copyright.PENANAGS7VyNx3jL
我走過去,拉開窗簾。窗外是隔壁樓的那堵牆,牆上有一個窗戶,窗戶裏亮著燈。89Please respect copyright.PENANAMBjiCHUhJE
89Please respect copyright.PENANA3tUatyHJGs
白色的燈,很亮,亮得像是有人在裏面舉著一盞探照燈。我盯著那個窗戶看了很久,那盞燈一直在亮著,一動不動。89Please respect copyright.PENANAnFQYvChZBv
89Please respect copyright.PENANAFi5OiyfoQA
第二天早上,我去樓下便利商店買早餐,順便跟店員聊了幾句。店員是個二十出頭的年輕人,看起來像是兼職的大學生。我問他知不知道明火公寓以前的事情,他先是愣了一下,然後搖了搖頭說不太清楚。89Please respect copyright.PENANAY4h3GZQTDx
89Please respect copyright.PENANAs6WS22K8lj
「不過,」他說,「我聽來買東西的住戶說,那邊的電梯經常壞,特別是到晚上,經常停在九樓就不動了。你住那的話,晚上出門小心點。」89Please respect copyright.PENANATPSVUwtUwz
89Please respect copyright.PENANAO2EJAblx3I
「為什麼停在九樓?」我問。89Please respect copyright.PENANAZJTSiqDOtp
89Please respect copyright.PENANAXbijoeX5Pu
「誰知道呢,」他聳了聳肩,「可能設備老化了吧。對了,你要是晚上坐電梯,聽到有人叫你名字,千萬別答應。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAEBWKwSQqeU
89Please respect copyright.PENANAY82CTsMBN7
我拿著早餐往回走,雨已經停了,地上濕漉漉的。我站在明火公寓樓下,抬頭看了看這棟樓,二十四層,灰褐色的外牆,看起來跟周圍的其他老樓沒什麼區別。89Please respect copyright.PENANAUbo1k7Chji
89Please respect copyright.PENANAjgCsRvNPsg
只是不知道為什麼,我覺得這棟樓在看我的時候,那種感覺很奇怪,就像是一個人在默默地注視著你,什麼話也不說,什麼動作也沒有,就是一直在看著你。89Please respect copyright.PENANAyZwgYBvLN3
89Please respect copyright.PENANAYRlO6VdvRf
我低下頭,走進了樓裏。89Please respect copyright.PENANAIpqvhgG42N
89Please respect copyright.PENANAvXKIbTVBuP
電梯正停在一樓,門敞開著,裏面空無一人。我走進去,按了二十樓,電梯開始上行。電梯裏很安靜,只有馬達運轉的嗡嗡聲。顯示屏上的數字在不斷跳動:2、3、4、5……89Please respect copyright.PENANAl9HU3fVQyr
89Please respect copyright.PENANAwP1ZLrFgvZ
到了9樓,電梯突然停住了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAyouJUQOAOm
89Please respect copyright.PENANABDvyEO6HcO
門沒有開。電梯就這麼停在那裏,一動不動。我看了看顯示螢幕,螢幕上9這個數字在閃爍,閃了兩下,然後滅了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAsIAtdx1UKp
89Please respect copyright.PENANA3cbXHc2sne
電梯裏的燈也滅了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAhYMpLhd0Uy
89Please respect copyright.PENANAbB3rYyhpxr
周圍一片漆黑,安靜得可怕。我靠在電梯壁上,聽著自己的心跳聲。過了大概十幾秒,燈重新亮了,電梯繼續往上走,顯示屏上的數字變成了10、11、12……89Please respect copyright.PENANA0XWAYeMbFo
89Please respect copyright.PENANAlb1tpVUDxY
到了二十樓,電梯門開了。我走出去,走廊裏空無一人。89Please respect copyright.PENANA9aIQpzCMzG
89Please respect copyright.PENANA405UYq7iCq
回到家裏,我把早餐放在桌子上,但沒有胃口吃。我坐在沙發上,盯著面前的白牆,突然想起來了——我剛才在電梯裏的時候,鼻子裏聞到一股淡淡的焦糊味,跟昨天聞到的一樣,像是有什麼東西在燃燒。89Please respect copyright.PENANApz1uC9HirQ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAfS0shSXAIy
但我知道,當時電梯裏只有我一個人。89Please respect copyright.PENANABqvWVYfBhf
89Please respect copyright.PENANAcjYr33Dph1
接下來的幾天,我開始注意觀察明火公寓的各種細節,這是一種自然而然的行為,就像一個程式設計師習慣於除錯程式碼一樣,我也習慣於除錯我周圍的環境。我把這棟樓當作一個系統來分析:住客、建築結構、歷史、異常事件。89Please respect copyright.PENANApKU1p5Ga5l
89Please respect copyright.PENANAQRJki0OYC4
我注意到幾個規律:89Please respect copyright.PENANAYJiBQiq0p9
89Please respect copyright.PENANAx2ZicSCtX4
第一,這棟樓的住戶大部分是中老年人,年輕人很少。樓下的公告欄上貼著很多催繳管理費的通知,日期從去年一直貼到現在,大部分都沒撕掉。89Please respect copyright.PENANARUGlCwphP9
89Please respect copyright.PENANAd13SxPZVb1
第二,九樓似乎很少有人住,我經過九樓的時候發現走廊的燈壞了很久沒人修,有幾戶的門上貼著已經泛黃的封條,像是很久沒人打開過。89Please respect copyright.PENANA7HjifWZwIW
89Please respect copyright.PENANAGX5sq5pElJ
第三,每到晚上十一點之後,樓裏就會變得特別安靜,安靜得像是整棟樓裏只有我一個人。但我知道不是,我偶爾能在深夜聽到樓上傳來腳步聲,緩慢而沉重,像是有人在拖著腳走路。89Please respect copyright.PENANAvkM3L0tPH7
89Please respect copyright.PENANA06Dyl1Mnqz
第四,那個紅裙子的女人,我再也沒有見到過她。89Please respect copyright.PENANAbqufqwT2xp
89Please respect copyright.PENANAehY1mCYO36
直到我搬進來的第七天。89Please respect copyright.PENANAWg2G45TSj8
89Please respect copyright.PENANAo9U5H2lBsD
那是一個晴朗的週日下午,我在家裏寫程式碼,突然聽到門外傳來一陣急促的敲門聲。我走過去,透過貓眼往外看,門外站著一個穿著灰色夾克的中年男人,看起來四十歲左右,頭髮有些亂,神色慌張。89Please respect copyright.PENANARCtvXr0Inb
89Please respect copyright.PENANAmcfCqUp6WE
我猶豫了一下,還是打開了門。89Please respect copyright.PENANA414aslnEuw
89Please respect copyright.PENANAhc3y2rJ6Jl
「你是不是新搬來二十樓的?」他問,聲音有些發顫。89Please respect copyright.PENANAbIHIoAx4vS
89Please respect copyright.PENANABH8n6gwEuJ
「是,有什麼事嗎?」89Please respect copyright.PENANA49IYMuJWMW
89Please respect copyright.PENANAi9nz7ueqZX
「你聽我說,你最好趕緊搬走,這棟樓不乾淨。」89Please respect copyright.PENANA7V8oNJwKqm
89Please respect copyright.PENANA45xA2J35vZ
我看著他,沒有說話。89Please respect copyright.PENANAuuEDMe042F
89Please respect copyright.PENANAOnhAEegQrS
他見我不說話,又補了一句:「我是九樓的住戶,我住了三年了,你信我,千萬別在這裏久留。那場火之前,我見過那些人……」89Please respect copyright.PENANAekulI31koT
89Please respect copyright.PENANAzbrzop2V3Y
他的話還沒說完,走廊盡頭傳來一聲響動。他立刻住了嘴,臉色變得更白了,他看了我一眼,那眼神裏充滿了恐懼,然後什麼都沒再說,轉身就快步往樓梯方向走去,很快就消失在了樓梯間裏。89Please respect copyright.PENANAqMHR58TM0v
89Please respect copyright.PENANA9bUd83Yqvc
我關上門,靠在門上,心跳得很快。他說的是「那場火」,「見過那些人」。89Please respect copyright.PENANAK2buCtX52x
89Please respect copyright.PENANAAyhG5AApo8
我走到窗邊,看著窗外的那堵牆,對面的窗戶裏,那盞白色的燈還是亮著。89Please respect copyright.PENANAY9cHY10Qri
89Please respect copyright.PENANABKK0wGdlti
我拿起手機,搜尋了明火公寓的相關資訊,什麼也沒搜到。我又換了幾個關鍵詞:「江都東區老樓火災」、「二十四層樓火災」、「九樓火警」,結果跳出一條新聞,日期是七年前的今天,標題是:89Please respect copyright.PENANAJr6qewHat3
89Please respect copyright.PENANA2ELKQi2Vm0
《九人死亡兩人重傷,江都東區一住宅樓深夜火災疑因電線老化》89Please respect copyright.PENANAErqfI58klL
89Please respect copyright.PENANAESWFmB6Zb9
新聞裏沒有提到明火公寓的名字,只寫了一句:「起火點位於該樓九層某單位,火勢迅速蔓延,造成九名住戶死亡,兩名住戶重傷。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAEEEqGrCrhV
89Please respect copyright.PENANArtgFsViuIj
九人死亡。紅裙子。九樓。那場火。89Please respect copyright.PENANApMpE6Llo3a
89Please respect copyright.PENANAuH2vfoftbZ
我把手機放下,閉上眼睛,腦海裏浮現出那天在電梯裏遇到的紅裙女人,她衝我笑了笑,臉色白得不正常,身上帶著焦糊味。89Please respect copyright.PENANABOMuU2HmAM
89Please respect copyright.PENANAXZnv2HuebC
她在九樓下了電梯。89Please respect copyright.PENANA3tzJAZj6iq
89Please respect copyright.PENANA9New01bdTr
我睜開眼睛,窗外的天已經暗了。對面樓的窗戶裏,那盞燈依舊亮著,白色的光,穿透越來越濃的暮色,像一隻不眨的眼睛。89Please respect copyright.PENANA4aMOxVB2LZ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAOe73Viowtb
這是我在明火公寓的第七天。從那天起,我開始記錄這棟樓裏發生的一切。我知道這不是普通的舊樓,我也知道那個穿紅裙子的女人不是普通的住戶。89Please respect copyright.PENANA50xlEMWK78
89Please respect copyright.PENANAbRXMQapQEl
我不知道的是,我很快就要親身經歷這場「火」了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAYDKPIJFNVu
89Please respect copyright.PENANA4PMrP2ncXQ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAJPma6NYeR8
第二章 九樓89Please respect copyright.PENANAfZnYp120vB
89Please respect copyright.PENANApSTFD34ZlJ
週一的早晨,我被一陣燒焦的氣味熏醒。89Please respect copyright.PENANAtGoKhTWm5C
89Please respect copyright.PENANA84LnjGEoUM
那種氣味很重,濃得像是有什麼東西正在我的床邊燃燒。我猛地坐起來,鼻子裏那股氣味卻突然消失了,像是從來沒有出現過一樣。屋子裏很正常,窗戶開著一條縫,清晨的風吹進來,帶著外面馬路上略微潮濕的空氣。89Please respect copyright.PENANAGdMyAZpg7F
89Please respect copyright.PENANAqY6Xuj9Ybw
我拿起手機看了看時間,早上七點十三分。今天是我搬進來的第八天,我決定去九樓看看。89Please respect copyright.PENANAh2LUWaLWFi
89Please respect copyright.PENANAzHEgyeofF6
人在清醒的時候往往不願意承認自己在做一些不理智的事情,但我很清楚我去九樓是為了什麼。七天前那個紅裙女人在九樓下了電梯,那個灰夾克男人說他是九樓的住戶,那場火的起火點在九樓。89Please respect copyright.PENANAANYgajLMkB
89Please respect copyright.PENANAqqBdMYAFhe
這些線索聚在一起,就是在告訴我:九樓是整棟樓的關鍵。89Please respect copyright.PENANA49raLTumKO
89Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9HKpkt2SZ
我換了一件黑色的長袖T恤,穿上運動鞋,走到門口的時候停頓了一下——我的右手食指上還戴著那枚銅錢戒指,這是一位朋友送我的,說是能辟邪。我本來不信這些,但今天出門的時候,我第一次沒有把它摘下來。89Please respect copyright.PENANAZZR3pkXdvY
89Please respect copyright.PENANAzXeKp5Oxra
走廊裏很安靜,聲控燈亮著。我走到電梯口,按了向下的按鈕。電梯來得很快,門打開,裏面是空的。我走進去,按了9。89Please respect copyright.PENANALFMwebrwyj
89Please respect copyright.PENANADotxZzha5Q
電梯開始往下走。顯示屏上的數字跳得很快:20、19、18、17……在跳到11的時候,電梯又晃了一下,然後繼續往下,10、9——停住了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAS3NsWV16aL
89Please respect copyright.PENANANfcpllDRgP
電梯門開了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAJWZi1S59xS
89Please respect copyright.PENANABQCzmSVDDE
九樓的走廊跟二十樓完全不同,這片空間給人的第一印象就是「暗」。走廊裏的燈沒有亮,唯一的光源是走廊盡頭一扇窗戶透進來的自然光,朦朦朧朧的,照不亮任何東西。89Please respect copyright.PENANAuKYyWRr8ga
89Please respect copyright.PENANAPGzHMTOo1p
一股潮濕的、發霉的氣味撲面而來,像是走進了某個多年無人打開的地下室。牆上的塗料剝落了大半,露出下面灰色的水泥。地上有一些黑色的痕跡,我蹲下來看了看,不是污漬,是被火燒過留下的印記。89Please respect copyright.PENANAJnKzfq6CXv
89Please respect copyright.PENANAatQznqaQc3
我沿著走廊慢慢往前走,腳步聲在空蕩蕩的走廊裏發出空洞的回響。每一戶的門上都有一個號碼牌,上面寫著A、B、C、D、E、F,跟其他樓層一樣。但這裏的門牌全都蒙了一層灰,有些甚至已經模糊不清了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAkPmI72uS6E
89Please respect copyright.PENANA9l1AI7Ji1g
走到B座門口的時候,我停下了腳步。89Please respect copyright.PENANAmx9r1n5o5c
89Please respect copyright.PENANA3a8fnOof2Q
門上貼著黃色的封條,已經捲邊泛白,上面依稀可見「江都東區警署」幾個字。封條沒有撕毀,完好無損,說明從貼上去之後就沒人打開過這扇門。89Please respect copyright.PENANA3ejPYzmWup
89Please respect copyright.PENANAYT3urs2zFm
此時封條下面,門縫裏,透出一絲極其微弱的光。89Please respect copyright.PENANAVK9xisi45P
89Please respect copyright.PENANAKfnKCGDt4y
白色的光,跟我看到對面樓那扇窗戶裏的光一模一樣。89Please respect copyright.PENANANMTDAyefcz
89Please respect copyright.PENANAPGH7Dhx7TN
我盯著那道光看了很久,心裏有一種很奇怪的感覺,就像是被什麼東西從門縫裏盯著一樣。我伸出手,猶豫了一下,手指碰到了封條。89Please respect copyright.PENANAzjqjpNoH5W
89Please respect copyright.PENANASeH9xlJvky
封條是乾的,一碰就碎成了粉末。89Please respect copyright.PENANAWOfQPYTPMO
89Please respect copyright.PENANArBt7DV0Ulx
我往後退了一步。就在這時,走廊盡頭傳來一個聲音,像是有人在唱歌,又是那種調子,斷斷續續,聽不清歌詞。89Please respect copyright.PENANAT3kmpQkYB6
89Please respect copyright.PENANA6tsJfu7sBq
我轉過頭,走廊盡頭的窗戶外面,天色像是突然變暗了。剛才還有的大片日光消失了,取而代之的是一片灰濛濛的、像是被什麼遮住了的光。89Please respect copyright.PENANA1R0xWeXpc5
89Please respect copyright.PENANAhMMVNyGoVq
然後我看到了她。89Please respect copyright.PENANANhJpDXRurG
89Please respect copyright.PENANAo5SvGoORxJ
那個紅裙子的女人站在走廊盡頭,背對著我,跟第一天看到她的姿勢一樣,一動不動地站著。她的裙子在無風的走廊裏輕輕飄動,就像是有什麼東西在裙擺下呼吸。89Please respect copyright.PENANA3X36M1iyW8
89Please respect copyright.PENANAUZttQ2cmRA
「你是B座的住戶嗎?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAPm3jcr6BFm
89Please respect copyright.PENANAsbzKP6X8Nh
身後傳來一個聲音,我猛地轉身,看到一個穿著深藍色制服的人不知道什麼時候站在了我身後。他看起來六十多歲,頭髮花白,左手的袖管空蕩蕩的,好像少了一截胳膊。89Please respect copyright.PENANAqfN396Gio7
89Please respect copyright.PENANAtTqDsXzwsb
「我……」我張了張嘴,不知道該說什麼。89Please respect copyright.PENANAoBBZzImg7i
89Please respect copyright.PENANA40n5cJIMbv
「B座很久沒人住了。」他說,聲音很平淡,沒有什麼情緒,「被封了七年了。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAT0zPxvt7wI
89Please respect copyright.PENANAhWy0OcQZAu
「七年?」我愣了一下,「就是那場火之後嗎?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAFqCjMYxHZT
89Please respect copyright.PENANAnI5ooYcg1W
他看了我一眼,那眼神很平靜,平靜得像是早就知道我會問這個問題。他沒有回答我,只是說:「年輕人,別在九樓多待。這層樓……沒有活人。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAv69IMDWWAD
89Please respect copyright.PENANAd22w6BNkzP
我回到二十樓的時候,已經是上午九點多了。我坐在沙發上,把剛才在九樓看到的一切整理了一遍。89Please respect copyright.PENANAZmH0vin7s8
89Please respect copyright.PENANApWjzHzYm7V
那個獨臂老人說「九樓沒有活人」,意思可能是說九樓的人全都搬走了,也可能是別的意思。但他說這話的時候,語氣太平靜了,平靜得讓人不舒服。89Please respect copyright.PENANAksyeef617k
89Please respect copyright.PENANApDAIRV9Uu2
而我剛才在九樓看到B座的門縫裏有光,紅裙女人站在那裏一動不動。89Please respect copyright.PENANAuCDUXc3MWL
89Please respect copyright.PENANAHfr4A0UUOI
這一切都在告訴我,九樓確實有問題。那場火發生的時候,死了九個人,那些人很可能就是住在那兒的。而那個紅裙女人,很有可能就是那九個人中的一位。89Please respect copyright.PENANAWpXg1vNEyi
89Please respect copyright.PENANAjrqzb1PVhY
但有一個問題——如果她在那場火裏死了,那為什麼她可以坐電梯?電梯裏的人是可以看到她的。89Please respect copyright.PENANAyx3K6cEsvy
89Please respect copyright.PENANAbxw3y4V6wM
就像他們能看到我一樣。89Please respect copyright.PENANAbibABfTyaY
89Please respect copyright.PENANAT9xROywVrm
接下來的兩天,我沒有再去九樓。我待在家裏寫程式碼、看書,盡量讓自己不去想那些事情。但到了晚上,奇怪的事情又開始發生了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAJDOgeRt9lG
89Please respect copyright.PENANAiEXANojLPk
第一個晚上,我在凌晨兩點多被一陣嘀嗒聲吵醒。那聲音像是水龍頭沒關緊,一滴一滴地落在地上。我起身去廁所檢查,水龍頭是關好的,沒有漏水。嘀嗒聲還在繼續,從我頭頂傳來,像是在樓上。89Please respect copyright.PENANAGz2YURSB1e
89Please respect copyright.PENANAHE4DApFIDj
但我知道,我單位上面是空的,沒有人住。89Please respect copyright.PENANAFqktZJGKnY
89Please respect copyright.PENANAQjeEC683IQ
第二個晚上,我做了個夢,夢裏我站在九樓B座的門口,門開著一條縫,裏面是黑的。我聽到裏面有人在說話,聲音很輕,像是在念什麼,我聽不清楚。我伸出手去推門,門打開了……89Please respect copyright.PENANAXiCEnUMeeJ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAM4tEBcaGKJ
我醒了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAKRZ8hy5u1V
89Please respect copyright.PENANAXnpW4Fp1VM
第三個晚上,也就是搬進來的第十天,我在九樓遇到的那個獨臂老人又來找我了。89Please respect copyright.PENANA3GU5ecOPse
89Please respect copyright.PENANAqGCZsH50lh
他來得很晚,大概夜裏十一點。敲門聲響起來的時候我正在客廳看書,我一打開門他就站在門口,額頭上有汗,臉色比上次更差了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAvlMJr1oQiJ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAa7Mrrq9JsI
「你快走吧,」他說,聲音壓得很低,「今天晚上會出事。十一點半之前你離開這棟樓,去哪都行,就是別待在樓裏。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAR9dN8oQTHw
89Please respect copyright.PENANAg8fZoJlltr
「出什麼事?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAHEvkoB4BVt
89Please respect copyright.PENANAUVPq8uSKEM
「七年了,今天正好是第七年。」他往走廊裏看了一眼,像是在確認沒人,「每年今天,九樓的電梯都會停在九樓,門會打開,然後會有人走出來。你千萬別看那些人,千萬別看。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAuJQrxcGBow
89Please respect copyright.PENANAoswda0xXh4
「你也看到了?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAC2ykc46ao2
89Please respect copyright.PENANA313mr9HrfP
他沒有回答我這個問題,只是說:「那場火是人為的。有人故意在九樓放火,燒了B座,燒死了住在裏面的人。那家人有九口人,一個都沒活下來。火災鑑定報告說是電線老化,但我知道不是,因為那晚我從貓眼裏看到了——一個穿著黃色雨衣的人,提著汽油桶,從B座門口走過。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAsWQ7plc1DI
89Please respect copyright.PENANASaq0WjwH1O
我聽到自己心跳的聲音。89Please respect copyright.PENANA1Lz4dYF78S
89Please respect copyright.PENANA0Eq7EQMm4w
「可那天下了一整天的雨,根本就沒有起火的條件。」他繼續說,「我報了警,但沒人信我。後來整棟樓的人都搬走了,就剩我,還有幾個像我一樣的老傢伙。我們走不了,因為她不讓我們走。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAnFuFysRV8x
89Please respect copyright.PENANAtpeDMMD2De
「她?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAvDUioo17ZH
89Please respect copyright.PENANA3b0Lfq9XNy
「B座的住戶,一個姓沈的女人,她帶著一家老小住在那,她的女兒才五歲,長得特別可愛,經常在走廊裏跑來跑去的。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAkEk1TTtydb
89Please respect copyright.PENANAuKZ2BBfpQg
他的聲音突然哽住了,停了幾秒鐘,然後繼續說:「她那天晚上要出門去接女兒放學,因為下了雨,路上堵車,她晚了半個小時回來。就是那半個小時,她的家就沒了。她站在九樓走廊裏看著消防員滅火,看著自己家的人被一個個抬出來……她什麼都做不了。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAvJ0PNNQNTS
89Please respect copyright.PENANAg2HTh5J63c
我沉默了很久,然後問他:「那她現在在哪?」89Please respect copyright.PENANABqJKeQI9F5
89Please respect copyright.PENANARu9ofG7Ccr
他沒有回答。他抬起頭看著我,眼神裏有種說不清的東西。89Please respect copyright.PENANA85e9emd668
89Please respect copyright.PENANAFdPtl6a9Ys
「別去找她。」他說,「她在等一個人,等一個能幫她找到真相的人。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAh4bFCW8OiL
89Please respect copyright.PENANAkV512IfrLY
「你覺得那個人是我?」89Please respect copyright.PENANArgrXPZT5CO
89Please respect copyright.PENANAjl5GKgN4xV
「我不知道。」他說,「但她讓我來告訴你,她感謝你願意來九樓看她。」89Please respect copyright.PENANA7cxyIzduef
89Please respect copyright.PENANA0cmzlwRuiA
「她……讓你來告訴我?」我愣住了。89Please respect copyright.PENANACvwNxDWhGF
89Please respect copyright.PENANAfHjddq0IFB
獨臂老人點了點頭,然後低下頭,像是完成了一件很重要的任務。他轉身往樓梯方向走去,走了兩步,又停下來,背對著我說了一句話:89Please respect copyright.PENANAUGc0FllHJH
89Please respect copyright.PENANAs6BDWxPyLb
「對了,她還說,那個穿黃色雨衣的人,明天晚上會再來。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAsbHuDvYvY6
89Please respect copyright.PENANAjEiVVojmLy
他走之後,整個走廊又恢復了安靜。89Please respect copyright.PENANA12WGUBcdum
89Please respect copyright.PENANA8HYMAPw2FA
我站在門口,看著空無一人的走廊,走廊盡頭的聲控燈滅了,一切又陷入了黑暗。然後我關上門,走進廚房,打開水龍頭,洗了一把臉。89Please respect copyright.PENANA54s3EUvToz
89Please respect copyright.PENANAo0f7menVWg
我看著鏡子裏的自己,那張臉很普通,像任何一個剛剛開始接觸一件不該接觸的事的人。但我知道,從明天開始,我這副平凡的外殼就再也包不住我了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAXuZ1rJw9W1
89Please respect copyright.PENANAwYAoAMtDPP
我決定去查那場火。89Please respect copyright.PENANA3GYJ5F6WaR
89Please respect copyright.PENANA6h76ND3jwb
因為如果那個穿黃色雨衣的人七年後還會再來,那就說明他的目的還沒有達到。他燒了九樓B座,燒死了九個人,還沒完。89Please respect copyright.PENANAAHG2gmEmZH
89Please respect copyright.PENANAzmqcDLXoG0
他還要燒別的地方。89Please respect copyright.PENANAkUCIivJVMP
89Please respect copyright.PENANAy1gyYPuySC
我心裏冒出一個念頭,一個讓我後背發涼的念頭——他要燒的是整棟明火公寓。89Please respect copyright.PENANAJf0eFUiZKW
89Please respect copyright.PENANAErJchc31qz
我走到陽台,往樓下看了一眼。樓下那條窄巷裏,站著一個穿紅裙子的人,正抬頭往上看。89Please respect copyright.PENANAJU3TR3e1Sh
89Please respect copyright.PENANAdxr2ADBigY
她離得太遠,我看不清她的臉,但我能感覺到她在衝我笑。89Please respect copyright.PENANAIIrjaWfzUB
89Please respect copyright.PENANA3ltIehv4wa
就像第一天在電梯裏看到的那樣。89Please respect copyright.PENANAXJy6x9LbHU
89Please respect copyright.PENANALdyP4pfc77
那是我搬進明火公寓的第十個夜晚,也就是從那晚開始,我正式決定不再只是「住」在這棟樓裏,我要把整件事查清楚,為了那些已經死了的人,也為了明天晚上可能會死的人。89Please respect copyright.PENANAHJdPDe80S1
89Please respect copyright.PENANAGEshAmi1F3
但我當時並不知道,我查到的真相,遠比我想像的更加離奇殘忍。89Please respect copyright.PENANAZTEXj71nWc
89Please respect copyright.PENANAhneuFtsbI5
89Please respect copyright.PENANArbPyIPzl2i
第三章 黃雨衣89Please respect copyright.PENANAPZSKRCz1jO
89Please respect copyright.PENANAtArwuMFz8c
第二天早上我醒得很早,天還沒完全亮,五點多我就坐起來了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAeTd038TCf3
89Please respect copyright.PENANAb4PPGjKDDB
我把銅錢戒指從手指上摘下來又戴上去,反覆了三次。這是我這輩子頭一次感到需要這些東西,哪怕我是學電腦的,但卻感覺數位世界的邏輯和規則在這裏全都失效了。89Please respect copyright.PENANA828KBpzgyE
89Please respect copyright.PENANAwFz0QwWZ9n
我在網上花了一整個上午翻查七年前的新聞。火災的報導很少,只有三四篇本地報紙的零碎文章,內容高度一致:火勢迅速被撲滅,九樓B座損毀嚴重,九人死亡兩人重傷,起火原因待查。89Please respect copyright.PENANAUBfp3HIkxI
89Please respect copyright.PENANAKRkTpRynYG
但有一條討論帖引起了我的注意。帖子發表於火災後第三天,發帖人的ID是「明火舊人」,內容:「不是電線老化。我看到了那個人。」89Please respect copyright.PENANA605mXfsZMO
89Please respect copyright.PENANA1U0FS5P3tc
回帖裏有人問他看到了誰,他沒有再回覆。89Please respect copyright.PENANAZhyL3yXokV
89Please respect copyright.PENANAMqh1KMpeID
我花了一點時間查這個ID,沒有找到任何其他痕跡。但我用帖子的發佈時間和IP推斷,這個人大概就是那位獨臂老人。他當時就報警了,但沒人相信他,後來大概也就放棄了。89Please respect copyright.PENANA9rVPXSc1wu
89Please respect copyright.PENANABRFlXxthO8
下午兩點多,我做了個決定——在今晚那個「黃色雨衣人」出現之前,我要先確認一件事。89Please respect copyright.PENANAsV7Uzeo57E
89Please respect copyright.PENANAYmxm1ZDdMk
我帶著手機和鑰匙,再次去了九樓。這一次,電梯又停了一下,但我已經不在意了。我逕直走到九樓B座門口,那扇門上的封條已經碎了,那是我前天弄碎的。89Please respect copyright.PENANASqfYt9TccK
89Please respect copyright.PENANAtcgOH2JUaK
門縫裏的光已經消失。89Please respect copyright.PENANAnrrVg64kMZ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAj5CkXLggiF
我試著推了一下門,門居然開了。89Please respect copyright.PENANApOSP9iWM8R
89Please respect copyright.PENANAFnvJLhvbsh
屋子裏很黑,也很冷,冷得像冰箱的內部。我打開手機手電筒,光柱掃過屋子,看到一幅被燒毀了的畫面:焦黑的牆,扭曲的家具殘骸,地上堆積著厚厚的灰燼。89Please respect copyright.PENANAdwXy9I9kAA
89Please respect copyright.PENANAYVxxcJOLPQ
客廳的牆上掛著一幅畫框,裏面的畫已經被燒沒了,只剩下焦黑的邊緣。牆角有一個小書包,粉紅色的,上面印著一隻卡通兔子,書包的一角被燒掉了,但整體還好。89Please respect copyright.PENANAH1Ir1keSTl
89Please respect copyright.PENANART7qUXDgDn
我蹲下來看了看那個書包。拉鍊是開著的,裏面露出一張紙的一角。我用戴了銅錢戒指的手指把它夾出來,那是一張幼兒園的作業單,字跡歪歪扭扭:「我的媽媽是世界上最漂亮的人。我叫小雲,今年五歲。我最喜歡和媽媽一起坐電梯。」89Please respect copyright.PENANA0N6cFd9IuI
89Please respect copyright.PENANAYJtmIrRclc
我眼眶有點發酸,把作業單摺好放進口袋裏,站起身來。89Please respect copyright.PENANAvK5tZGZj5p
89Please respect copyright.PENANAGEQuF7FLdQ
就在這時候,我聽到走廊裏傳來了腳步聲。89Please respect copyright.PENANAgBVSgyquiZ
89Please respect copyright.PENANARQEVxROSSy
不是高跟鞋的聲音,是雨靴踩在地面上那種沉悶的腳步聲,正在從走廊的另一個方向朝這邊走過來。89Please respect copyright.PENANAs8gpBeU3ub
89Please respect copyright.PENANAbwSYTyc4eL
「嗒、嗒、嗒……」89Please respect copyright.PENANA2nA2JOQ9fW
89Please respect copyright.PENANAJIAyPxjS1a
我下意識地退進了B座內部,躲在一面沒完全倒的牆後面。我屏住呼吸,從牆縫裏往外看——走廊裏站著一個穿黃色雨衣的人。89Please respect copyright.PENANAR0QkFbifRE
89Please respect copyright.PENANA74ZYU0mbLe
他背對著我,身材中等,看不出性別,雨衣的帽子戴得很低,完全遮住了臉。他手裏提著一個桶,那隻桶看起來像是裝過漆料的金屬桶,有點生鏽了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAqbkjsBmGEp
89Please respect copyright.PENANAyWSE6Z7wK0
他停在B座門口,沒有進來,只是站在那裏低頭看著地上的碎片。然後他抬起頭,往走廊的另一個方向看了一眼,像是在等什麼。89Please respect copyright.PENANAgxSMZhwFgo
89Please respect copyright.PENANAqGArLUWvQz
就在這時候,他開口說話了,聲音很輕,像是自言自語,但在這空蕩蕩的走廊裏聽得很清楚:「七年了,也該了結了。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAr69angFWo6
89Please respect copyright.PENANAndcdvA2d5G
然後他轉過身來——我看到了他的臉。89Please respect copyright.PENANAwnZM72P2W7
89Please respect copyright.PENANAVT7JvlZTn7
那是一張很普通的臉,四十多歲,頭髮微禿,臉上沒什麼表情,但眼睛亮得不太正常。他看了B座一眼,然後轉身提著桶朝走廊盡頭走去,消失在了樓梯間裏。89Please respect copyright.PENANAW56CkUF8QA
89Please respect copyright.PENANA2EhBUOluOv
我等了很久,確定他不會再回來了,才從牆後面走出來。89Please respect copyright.PENANAf4Jml8tWio
89Please respect copyright.PENANAW0RISRepNb
我的腿有點軟,靠在牆上緩了一會兒。我突然意識到一個問題——他手裏的桶是空的。如果是裝燃料的桶,應該是滿的才對。可他提的是一個空桶,他來九樓不是為了放火。89Please respect copyright.PENANA0g5R9S80vi
89Please respect copyright.PENANAOkVUbfu8cZ
那他來幹什麼?89Please respect copyright.PENANAisUSNBT8s2
89Please respect copyright.PENANAsrhqbbR5sW
我回到家,已經是傍晚六點了。我坐在沙發上,把今天收集到的資訊整理了一遍:89Please respect copyright.PENANAKo0VHX3G82
89Please respect copyright.PENANAID3U5unV0b
第一,那個穿黃色雨衣的人七年前放了火,燒死了九口人。89Please respect copyright.PENANArKpulVKbYh
89Please respect copyright.PENANAsmcgrNEtF7
第二,他今天又來了,提著空桶,在B座門口站了一會兒,說了一句話:「七年了,也該了結了。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAfL5WyFovib
89Please respect copyright.PENANAMoptmW3j9C
第三,他說「了結」,可能意味著他要做第二次的事情,而且這一次,目標可能不只是九樓。89Please respect copyright.PENANAz4R3DrlFyq
89Please respect copyright.PENANAPctxTiTNd1
我看了看手機,晚上七點二十分。89Please respect copyright.PENANARZcxQBs3O8
89Please respect copyright.PENANA1TdK4ii5aB
忽然有感,就打開電腦,找到了江都東區的地產規劃文件,發現在三年前,有人提交過一份關於「明火公寓及周邊地域綜合開發」的提案,提案內容是將整棟大樓拆除,改建為商業綜合體。提案被擱置了,理由欄寫的是:「地域歷史遺留問題未解決。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAU3UgJzYr4c
89Please respect copyright.PENANAeFBv8Ltb4Z
「歷史遺留問題。」我念著這幾個字,然後就明白了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAQgcwaq7ahS
89Please respect copyright.PENANAH9lcEpyM8x
明火公寓因為那場火災,成了所謂的「凶宅」,導致價值被壓低。開發商的提案被擱置,大概是因為死者家屬還在起訴,產權糾紛不清。但如果這棟樓再一次發生火災,燒得更徹底,那結果就不一樣了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAsRGdwwwOEW
89Please respect copyright.PENANAQJUNHZVIm4
到時候不會有倖存者來追究,也不會有人關心「歷史遺留問題」,因為樓已經沒了。開發商可以順理成章地收回地皮,把這棟樓變成他們的商場。89Please respect copyright.PENANAjE4tUmropO
89Please respect copyright.PENANAnC6renGUHd
這個推理讓我後背一陣發涼。我走到窗邊,看著對面的那盞白燈,那扇窗戶裏的燈亮著,跟往常一樣。89Please respect copyright.PENANAJtWiwU9Iwi
89Please respect copyright.PENANAHaaOV4k4EU
就在那時候,我聽到了敲門聲。89Please respect copyright.PENANAfDFsnIJVq2
89Please respect copyright.PENANACuv0I252J4
這一次不是急促的敲,是很輕很慢的三下,像是有人在用手背輕輕叩門。89Please respect copyright.PENANAOGHQzR6O6M
89Please respect copyright.PENANAiXaaYTrvKD
我走到門口,透過貓眼往外看。89Please respect copyright.PENANAg06mWoZkLp
89Please respect copyright.PENANA7dpaVrGL8z
門外站著一個很小的女孩,穿著粉紅色的連衣裙,紮著兩個小辮子,手裏抱著一個燒焦了一半的布娃娃。她抬起頭看著貓眼的方向,眼睛很大,很黑,像兩片深色的水面。89Please respect copyright.PENANAcEoAlp76tE
89Please respect copyright.PENANAqAAfigZgge
我打開了門。89Please respect copyright.PENANAjE5CbFNLMd
89Please respect copyright.PENANABAPVsPbnci
「叔叔,」她說,聲音很輕,但每一個字都清清楚楚,「你能幫我找媽媽嗎?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAzjBZXSq61I
89Please respect copyright.PENANA7BzjMb0kMv
我看著她,心裏浮起一個念頭:她大概就是那個書包的主人。89Please respect copyright.PENANASxUAGYVGkg
89Please respect copyright.PENANASUNYRmQVTf
我蹲下來,跟她平視,問:「你媽媽叫什麼名字?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAQMXLcmx0j2
89Please respect copyright.PENANAXjeK77H9aa
「沈月華,」她說,「她穿紅裙子。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAco1D7nINvj
89Please respect copyright.PENANATXWmxyj9sZ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAiSjwekZHkw
第四章 電梯裏的信89Please respect copyright.PENANA4XmlfFVyWU
89Please respect copyright.PENANAVoJRoWxtcq
小雲——她說自己叫這個名字——沒有走進我屋裏。89Please respect copyright.PENANATWoWiIZbLA
89Please respect copyright.PENANAHn9EsewEFg
她站在門口,抱著那個燒焦的布娃娃,低頭看了一會兒自己的鞋尖,然後抬起頭說:「叔叔,媽媽讓我告訴你,今天晚上十一點半,你不要坐電梯。」89Please respect copyright.PENANARxbwYQpQ8z
89Please respect copyright.PENANALIsSl1b1mk
「為什麼?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAtMAGcl2tzD
89Please respect copyright.PENANAfpLJBgEDH6
「因為電梯裏的那個東西,它今晚會出來。」她說完這句話,又低下頭去,像是這句話已經是她能說的所有內容了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAeHfRbXAvXp
89Please respect copyright.PENANAgLQt0b0kjr
我還沒來得及問更多,她就轉身往走廊盡頭走去,腳步很輕,幾乎聽不見聲音。然後她消失了,就在走廊盡頭的轉角處,像是融進了牆壁裏。89Please respect copyright.PENANAyOpuzBviDC
89Please respect copyright.PENANAjkaYXODvti
我關上門,看了一眼手機:晚上八點四十分。89Please respect copyright.PENANAnT6HeP4b7Z
89Please respect copyright.PENANAXkGY4qOTiT
還剩三個小時。89Please respect copyright.PENANAr4iKJptmz3
89Please respect copyright.PENANAvbno5yAKUp
我開始做一系列準備工作。首先,我檢查了家裏所有的門窗,確認都鎖好了。然後我把充電寶、手機、手電筒、一把小型的萬用刀放進背包裏,又額外帶了一瓶水和一條毛巾。89Please respect copyright.PENANA6QLWSGzNWL
89Please respect copyright.PENANAz44AroCCcZ
最後,我把那枚銅錢戒指從食指上摘下來,換到了無名指上。為什麼這麼做?我也說不清,但那一刻我心裏有一種直覺——無名指離心臟更近。89Please respect copyright.PENANAx779QnsqZ6
89Please respect copyright.PENANAaE8tQXKjfQ
然後我坐在客廳的沙發上等著。89Please respect copyright.PENANA2vfl1oHRFF
89Please respect copyright.PENANAu0FCznXQd9
夜慢慢深了。十點之後,樓裏變得極其安靜,安靜得像是整棟樓都在屏住呼吸。我聽到牆裏面有聲音——很輕的滴答聲,像水珠落在鐵皮上。89Please respect copyright.PENANAHjYaG0oZFb
89Please respect copyright.PENANAr2zEuKWPAK
十一點二十分,我聽到電梯響了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAt5Ei6YHaUC
89Please respect copyright.PENANA5xc6rjQ30W
不是從走廊裏傳過來的,是從牆裏面傳來的。那種聲音像是電梯啟動時的機械振動,透過混凝土傳到我的耳朵裏,低沉而持續,像是有什麼東西正在上升。89Please respect copyright.PENANAYKJKqiYYPE
89Please respect copyright.PENANAxfJNuA5sfd
十一點二十五分,聲音停了。89Please respect copyright.PENANATfkHFhxoUz
89Please respect copyright.PENANAWhWQcRluhr
電梯停在了某一層。我不知道是幾樓,但我有一種很強烈的直覺——它停在了九樓。89Please respect copyright.PENANAsIb3pR72Rt
89Please respect copyright.PENANAb5QH9Jatyi
我站起來,走到門口,把門打開一條縫,往走廊裏看。走廊裏空無一人,聲控燈沒有亮,一切都很安靜。然後我聽到了腳步聲,從樓梯間那邊傳來,緩慢而沉重,正在一步一步往上走。89Please respect copyright.PENANAYgOMmNg1Uq
89Please respect copyright.PENANAe9e8l0w3Vo
那個人走得很慢,很穩,每一步之間的間隔幾乎完全相等。他走到二十樓的走廊入口,停下來,站了很久,像是在辨認方向。89Please respect copyright.PENANAXZHPhkgjUJ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAm8oVbIjCp1
然後他朝我的方向走過來了。89Please respect copyright.PENANA9apshu4dJl
89Please respect copyright.PENANA8GIJEmD9FS
我的心臟跳得很快,但我沒有動,也沒有關門。我透過門縫看著走廊裏的那個人——他穿著黃色雨衣,手裏提著一隻桶,這一次桶是滿的,我能聞到那股刺鼻的汽油味。89Please respect copyright.PENANATGnwLXFnfs
89Please respect copyright.PENANApR1FA0noKm
他走到我的門口,停下了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAyOKsRs0JhI
89Please respect copyright.PENANAraqJYzXTd8
我不知道他有沒有看到門縫裏的我,但他沒有轉頭,就是這麼直直地站著。站了大概有十幾秒,然後他開口說話,聲音很平淡,像在跟空氣說話:89Please respect copyright.PENANAqVZJB32tHg
89Please respect copyright.PENANAyXiLABLPiv
「二十樓B座,也搬進來了啊。」89Please respect copyright.PENANA2HIp1GMpEz
89Please respect copyright.PENANAefWKhbhuRb
然後他轉身走了,腳步聲往走廊盡頭移動,越來越遠,消失在樓梯間的方向。89Please respect copyright.PENANAaYmHkCvQy4
89Please respect copyright.PENANAKdWCY59tEV
我關上門,靠在門上大口喘氣。剛才那幾分鐘裏我幾乎忘了怎麼呼吸。我看了看手機,十一點三十七分。他應該已經往上去更高的樓層了,也許去二十二楼,也許去二十四楼。89Please respect copyright.PENANAXUZjUbwsDf
89Please respect copyright.PENANAoIClpNmR5B
我穿上鞋子,背上包,做了一個決定:我不能等著火被點起來。我要在樓裏找出他在哪,並且阻止他。89Please respect copyright.PENANA5lUnVMITHU
89Please respect copyright.PENANAH0n9hfLh2W
我打開門,走廊裏很安靜,聲控燈亮了,昏黃的光鋪滿了整條走廊。我快步走向樓梯間,推開防火門,裏面的燈是壞的,一片漆黑。我打開手機手電筒,沿著樓梯往上走,二十二楼、二十三樓、二十四樓——空氣中開始有了淡淡的汽油味,越來越重,像是有人正在往地上倒這些東西。89Please respect copyright.PENANAgc2Dm35PXC
89Please respect copyright.PENANAkW1QXcveKT
到了二十四樓,我聽到了動靜——有人在走廊裏面走動,腳步聲拖得很慢,很重。我推開防火門,走廊的燈亮著,一個穿黃色雨衣的人正站在走廊中央,手裏提著那隻桶,桶已經空了一半。89Please respect copyright.PENANAA5PAw5AFzm
89Please respect copyright.PENANA2xAZlGGpz5
他聽到我的聲音,轉過身來。這一次他沒有戴帽子,我看到他的臉,那雙眼睛像兩片被火烤過的玻璃碎片,亮得灼人。89Please respect copyright.PENANATJDZ1alUff
89Please respect copyright.PENANAwgBXloHzuc
「你是B座的新住戶,」他說,語氣很平淡,「我勸你不要多管閒事。」89Please respect copyright.PENANApkOVd2sVPg
89Please respect copyright.PENANAC9VtdXcHSV
「你是開發商招來的?」我說,「為了拆這棟樓,你要再燒一次?」89Please respect copyright.PENANANysUMTKRwj
89Please respect copyright.PENANAMcqZ41fQGk
他愣了一下,然後笑了,笑聲很乾,像是破風箱漏氣的聲音。他說:「你查得挺多啊!可惜方向錯了。我確實在幫人做事,但那個人不是開發商,是我自己——七年前我燒B座,是因為那家人擋了我的路。」89Please respect copyright.PENANA6d4d90qgPT
89Please respect copyright.PENANAoE7vuWLRrN
「你跟他們有仇?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAsQiDjRtRPc
89Please respect copyright.PENANAknGquH4fTf
「有仇?」他想了想,「算是吧。他們住的那一套房子本來是我的,我變賣了開了十年的餐廳才攢夠頭期款,結果被仲介騙了,錢沒了,房子落到了別人手裏。我沒別的辦法了。」89Please respect copyright.PENANACMlrvL4R12
89Please respect copyright.PENANA8VbM9RpiCT
他說話的語氣太平靜了,像是在講別人的事。我握緊了手電筒,說:「所以你就燒死了那九個人?」89Please respect copyright.PENANALjTEH4oXj1
89Please respect copyright.PENANAxa7V1Q97k7
「我沒想燒死那麼多人。」他說,聲音裏第一次有了一絲顫動,「我只是想放一把小火,讓他們搬走,把房子還給我。誰知道火勢控制不住……現在想想,那家人也挺慘的。」89Please respect copyright.PENANA8qudb9fTHH
89Please respect copyright.PENANArdyxymLRsn
他低頭看了看手裏的桶,然後說:「但七年了,這件事也該了結了。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAPQxpGMNMGh
89Please respect copyright.PENANANmFuLcTExQ
「怎麼了結?再燒一次嗎?」89Please respect copyright.PENANA82EyxPatAo
89Please respect copyright.PENANAdCI4U0RsD5
「不是。」他抬起頭看著我,眼神裏有一種很奇怪的東西,像是在請求,「燒了這棟樓,把那些還在的……都帶走吧。她等了七年了。」89Please respect copyright.PENANADLn9UeLxxK
89Please respect copyright.PENANAbz0O5p8t4o
他口中的「她」,我知道是誰。89Please respect copyright.PENANA6voBvdHBUJ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAYMSC1mmFXH
「你要把整棟樓燒掉,就是為了讓她安息?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAJS2W4UJhEa
89Please respect copyright.PENANAxFKtWpbZTh
他沉默了一會兒,然後說:「你已經見到了她,對不對?紅裙子,沈月華。她一直困在九樓,因為她的家人還困在裏面。但火再燒一次,整棟樓都沒了,她就可以走了。是我欠她的。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAMWsYzQi8w0
89Please respect copyright.PENANAvfPV29KY8l
那天晚上,我在二十四樓走廊裏跟他談了將近四十分鐘。我告訴他沈月華的女兒來找過我,告訴他那個紅裙女人沒有惡意,只是想讓真相被知道。我說:「你燒了這棟樓,她不會得到解脫的。你只是把她和這棟樓一起鎖在火裏。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAfVFtMYtKUW
89Please respect copyright.PENANAKhuhLA9om7
他聽完沒有回答,彎腰放下了手裏的桶。汽油灑了一地,刺鼻的氣味灌滿了整個走廊。89Please respect copyright.PENANAkE3Ik3cJyI
89Please respect copyright.PENANAE5Srf81Zqa
他直起身來看著我,說了一句很輕的話:「那你來替她完成這件事吧。」89Please respect copyright.PENANACo09gTg7hE
89Please respect copyright.PENANArKrqe6m3iI
然後他轉身走向走廊盡頭的窗戶,推開窗,翻了出去。89Please respect copyright.PENANAFFzCGl59KH
89Please respect copyright.PENANAvUlcSvafdx
我衝過去的時候已經來不及了。二十四樓,落地之前他連喊都沒喊一聲。他的黃色雨衣在夜風裏像一片枯葉一樣墜落下去,消失在樓下的黑暗裏。89Please respect copyright.PENANAp6Rp7CGP7o
89Please respect copyright.PENANAAFL20hsXS8
我站在窗口,風吹得我的頭髮亂飛。樓下有隱約的撞擊聲傳來,然後一切恢復了安靜。89Please respect copyright.PENANAQVYHLYa5Gs
89Please respect copyright.PENANAzwSL9Ht3B5
他死了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAu0H43h6vF7
89Please respect copyright.PENANABCeFGV8VJZ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAuIVN377uhN
第五章 火與光89Please respect copyright.PENANA4FZ8gU1rGk
89Please respect copyright.PENANAKlixw1yj9t
我沒有立刻下樓去看。我站在二十四樓走廊裏,看著地上那桶剩下的汽油,聞著刺鼻的氣味,整個人像是被抽空了一樣。89Please respect copyright.PENANAY8K7rXzYmH
89Please respect copyright.PENANAVb58z0Q9XT
那個穿黃色雨衣的人,他七年前因為一己私慾燒死了九個人。他今晚本來打算再做一次同樣的事情,但在最後關頭他放棄了。他翻出窗外的動作很快,像是早就準備好了,沒有猶豫。89Please respect copyright.PENANA9TI9gTdWsG
89Please respect copyright.PENANAhNEvpXjUsx
我沒有時間去消化這件事。我快步回到二十樓,拿上鑰匙,然後從樓梯一路往下衝。在到達九樓的時候,我猶豫了一下,但還是推開了防火門,走了進去。89Please respect copyright.PENANADIwIdjNiOB
89Please respect copyright.PENANAlh8ME4fMcv
九樓的走廊依然很暗,但我看到B座的門口站著一個人,是沈月華。這一次她沒有背對著我,她正面對著我,紅裙子在無風的走廊裏微微飄動。89Please respect copyright.PENANAdGTQKkVzHQ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAnwJukVaw7D
「你來了。」她說,聲音很輕,像隔著水。89Please respect copyright.PENANAytvx6cAmre
89Please respect copyright.PENANAadDwwLd4DU
「你女兒來找過我。」我說。89Please respect copyright.PENANA470cOuizei
89Please respect copyright.PENANAf53hsrqg0H
「我知道。」她低頭微笑了一下,「她很勇敢。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAxOqahnccxD
89Please respect copyright.PENANAiJxjxTiPtc
我沉默了一會兒,然後說:「那個人死了。他從二十四樓跳了下去。」89Please respect copyright.PENANADS7ox8EX1B
89Please respect copyright.PENANAMe9ivBIKBx
沈月華沒有說話,只是站在那裏,過了很久才開口:「他最後還是沒能放過自己。七年了,他一直在折磨自己。」89Please respect copyright.PENANABn6q1riuSv
89Please respect copyright.PENANA55K0myw6pY
「那你們……你們能走了嗎?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAIzJPDoSTfp
89Please respect copyright.PENANAXSsyq6OwqC
她抬起頭看了我一眼,說:「我們的身體已經不在了。但我們還困在這棟樓裏,是因為我們還有一些東西沒有做完。不只是為了他。這棟樓的電梯,從七年前那場火之後,就一直帶著我們這些人上下走動。每一層都有我們留下的痕跡。要讓所有人走完,需要有人幫我們找到每一個地方、每一個痕跡。」89Please respect copyright.PENANApXTnHDFUHC
89Please respect copyright.PENANAAbPONIMcGt
我深吸了一口氣,說:「你要我做什麼?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAn7VHzUtrRw
89Please respect copyright.PENANA1xomaydRsU
「今晚他不會點火了,但火還是會來的。」她說,「因為你,他放棄了。可是這棟樓本身……早就該燒乾淨了。它的結構早就壞了,七年前就已經不行了。就算今晚沒人點火,總有一天它也會自己倒掉。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAAryDORFCUJ
89Please respect copyright.PENANATeGpP8vazu
「那你們要怎麼辦?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAahzi9Qn47C
89Please respect copyright.PENANA7ihtSpX0CW
她說:「你幫我們把剩下的人都找到吧。我們走了,這棟樓就沒有牽掛了。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAVD6c3a8gVT
89Please respect copyright.PENANAz9XaPDn6cQ
我點了點頭。89Please respect copyright.PENANA7wEwgTVcOl
89Please respect copyright.PENANAfW36jZSoyy
那一夜,我第一次走進九樓的B座把每一個角落都看了一遍。裏面除了灰燼和碎屑,還有幾樣完整的東西:一張全家福照片,相框被燒得變形,但照片裏的人影還隱約可見——一對夫妻、三個老人、四個孩子,九個人緊緊站在一起。89Please respect copyright.PENANAvFAtbhmbw9
89Please respect copyright.PENANAlIT8ZG80aU
沈月華說:「那是我先生,他是一名中學教師。那三個老人是我公公婆婆和我母親。四個孩子,三個是我自己的,還有一個是鄰居家的,火災那天來我家玩了,就再也沒能回去。」89Please respect copyright.PENANACfNvj8cx8o
89Please respect copyright.PENANADqLpoHPRVX
我忽感無力,忍不住把那張照片放在胸口的位置,蹲在地上,低下頭努力壓下顫抖。89Please respect copyright.PENANAd38rEPKIvg
89Please respect copyright.PENANA8X20g0kMkB
凌晨四點,天快亮了。我從九樓走出來,電梯停在一樓,門開著,裏面空蕩蕩的。我站在電梯口,看到門框上面有人用白色粉筆寫了一行小字:「感謝你看到我們。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAmpc5myS2Fb
89Please respect copyright.PENANApoXu4RDenw
89Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3FEcP9fUR
第六章 剩下的路89Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ix42dvGAc
89Please respect copyright.PENANAvG9tC8ELlo
接下來三天,我沒有離開明火公寓。89Please respect copyright.PENANA4JJ32xsf8R
89Please respect copyright.PENANA7b1EMwGxoC
我像走迷宮一樣走遍了每一層樓——從一樓走到二十四樓,每一層每一個單位,尋找那些還停留在這裏的痕跡。89Please respect copyright.PENANAyEDwenu08l
89Please respect copyright.PENANA8ga02ArUOG
我在八樓的一個鞋櫃裏找到了另一個小孩子的鞋子,旁邊還放著一朵已經乾枯的雛菊......89Please respect copyright.PENANAF1oNTK6nIc
89Please respect copyright.PENANA4jgQbOaZjc
在十五樓的窗台上,有一排被燒成半截的玩具兵,整整齊齊地排成一列......89Please respect copyright.PENANAtvLzHElSGx
89Please respect copyright.PENANAFb1yJCkxmZ
在十八樓的一個門縫裏,我發現了一封沒寫完的信,筆跡稚嫩,信上寫著:「媽媽,我放學回來了,電梯壞了,我從樓梯走上來,天好暗——」89Please respect copyright.PENANAkUagLkYhgF
89Please respect copyright.PENANAYvDEbBqXus
小孩子......89Please respect copyright.PENANACOyww3Gy2c
89Please respect copyright.PENANA5NVFHILyVy
每一件東西,我都看了很久。天真的想要看出一個未來......89Please respect copyright.PENANA0f7EZFxOyc
89Please respect copyright.PENANAHLJOjJol3g
那天晚上我在十八樓的樓梯間睡著了。第二天我去了B座最後一次,把那張全家福照片貼在了一樓大廳的牆壁上。後天傍晚,我去找了那位獨臂老人,他坐在一樓的角落裏,像是知道我會去找他。他看到我,點了點頭,說:「你見到了。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAweDZRObTS6
89Please respect copyright.PENANAMbTjXbaQM3
「見到了。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAn0Jx9vA593
89Please respect copyright.PENANAC1KSYZjssK
「她還好嗎?」89Please respect copyright.PENANAaPNqswfLn2
89Please respect copyright.PENANAArQo7jRPdT
「她很好。」我說。89Please respect copyright.PENANA2bvSpozJpu
89Please respect copyright.PENANARRxKSM6nXI
他低下頭,沉默良久,說了一句:「那就好。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAlVdiM7uuom
89Please respect copyright.PENANAYUfy5BsqMr
然後他站起來,拍了拍我的肩,轉身走了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAs8FswjI7hB
89Please respect copyright.PENANATHgW8fHmg4
我從窗戶看到,他搬著一個小箱子,走出了明火公寓的入口,頭也沒回地朝街口走去。89Please respect copyright.PENANAwSfobt3frG
89Please respect copyright.PENANAKtCggiI6GB
那一天,明火公寓空了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAQirsHEVeMI
89Please respect copyright.PENANAoCCVZDUD5n
到了第四天凌晨,我站在樓下的街對面,抬頭看著這棟二十四層的老樓。89Please respect copyright.PENANA20omESBa7i
89Please respect copyright.PENANAnfeaeH4W9Y
它灰褐色的外牆在晨光裏顯得很普通,像任何一棟年久失修的舊樓。但我知道,這棟樓裏面,住著很多人。他們已經不在了,但他們還在。89Please respect copyright.PENANAomRQ0UBOKf
89Please respect copyright.PENANABSbSnPZWT2
我看了很久,然後我聽到身後有腳步聲。我轉過頭,看到小雲站在我旁邊,抱著那個燒焦一半的娃娃。89Please respect copyright.PENANAB93oM22DlM
89Please respect copyright.PENANAnsAT3cSgQJ
「叔叔,」她說,「我們要走了。」89Please respect copyright.PENANANREctvMmS9
89Please respect copyright.PENANAEnsZWBDcXm
「去哪?」89Please respect copyright.PENANA8BXdOfzuPp
89Please respect copyright.PENANAcqgHgh6sy8
她想了想,抬頭看著明火公寓的樓頂,說:「去有光的地方。」89Please respect copyright.PENANA3gVKjcgFIV
89Please respect copyright.PENANALXU7RQmCz5
她說完這句話,轉身朝遠處的街口走去。街上還沒有什麼行人,初升的太陽把她的影子拉得很長。89Please respect copyright.PENANAswaeAjSwtH
89Please respect copyright.PENANAgpgtqJm9iH
在走到轉角的時候,她回頭看了我一眼,衝我揮了揮手。89Please respect copyright.PENANADlLuiP2A74
89Please respect copyright.PENANA46PQZ1WYwF
然後她消失在了晨光裏。89Please respect copyright.PENANAG7LeiKggYn
89Please respect copyright.PENANAPSaJ0pef3z
那天上午九點多,我收到了一封本地房管局發來的郵件,內容很簡單:經過檢測,明火公寓整體結構已達危樓標準,將於近期拆除。89Please respect copyright.PENANA66TZFxJFpw
89Please respect copyright.PENANAp4nWOpQ5K1
我看了那封郵件很久,然後撥通了那個電話號碼,說:「拆吧。」89Please respect copyright.PENANA4UdbmgPZZS
89Please respect copyright.PENANApsqpOsiWbP
89Please respect copyright.PENANAQhg5WFPaKc
第七章 七天後89Please respect copyright.PENANADOmzkCqQin
89Please respect copyright.PENANARxy3qq0uE4
一週之後,明火公寓被拆除了。89Please respect copyright.PENANAbgoeo9OAaK
89Please respect copyright.PENANARA7JI3ldQs
拆樓的那天我去了現場。站在街對面,看到挖掘機一下一下地鑿著那些灰褐色的牆體,灰塵滾滾而起,把整條街都染成了灰色。89Please respect copyright.PENANAJfA2opBBeY
89Please respect copyright.PENANA9b3DVcOTrG
在塵土裏,我好像看到了那個穿紅裙子的身影。她站在廢墟中間,旁邊站著一個穿粉紅裙子的小女孩,小女孩牽著一個中年男人的手,男人的旁邊還站著好幾個模糊不清的身影,高矮不一。89Please respect copyright.PENANAX0iB0V2mHg
89Please respect copyright.PENANAlBZziVyr5O
他們站了一會兒,然後轉身,朝灰塵散去的光亮處走去。89Please respect copyright.PENANAz7A2J8vDR3
89Please respect copyright.PENANAnIPEl1sbOo
我低下頭,看著自己的手機螢幕。螢幕上有一張照片,是我在拆樓前一天從九樓B座帶出來的——那張被燒焦了一角的全家福,我用手機翻拍了一張。89Please respect copyright.PENANAwjju6B0GPL
89Please respect copyright.PENANAaDR908FlBP
照片上有九張臉,他們在笑。89Please respect copyright.PENANAhI9yKRl2sS
89Please respect copyright.PENANAOL6SEA9MGf
我轉身離開的時候,刮來一陣風,風裏帶著焦糊味,但也有一股淡淡的泥土味道,像是春天要來了。89Please respect copyright.PENANA2aQkYMX6rY
89Please respect copyright.PENANAytEi0hXhte
從那以後,我沒再去過江都東區的那塊地。後來聽說那裏建起了一座新的商場,一樓的牆面上掛著一幅很大的壁畫,畫的是一個人站在一棟老舊的樓前,抬頭望著一扇亮著燈的窗戶。89Please respect copyright.PENANAjfhMP9KJ6a
89Please respect copyright.PENANA7Zi8vET7gS
我不知道那幅畫是誰畫的,但我每次在網上看到那張壁畫的照片,都會想起七年前那個穿紅裙子的女人,和她手裏那張被燒掉一角的作業單。89Please respect copyright.PENANABFfeXK4yRz
89Please respect copyright.PENANAzxKXy5Lsgg
也想起她女兒對我說的最後一句話。89Please respect copyright.PENANAP2AWsVmx6X
89Please respect copyright.PENANAO7iA1rRs9C
「去有光的地方。」89Please respect copyright.PENANAyAgU9jE0BO
89Please respect copyright.PENANAqlAmhWG4ZF
我後來搬到了酒霄,又搬到了異宣,最後我在西閣租了一間帶天台的房子,每天傍晚對著海坐下來看日落,什麼都不想。89Please respect copyright.PENANA1PWVahqu7O
89Please respect copyright.PENANATDsYJTnl79
有時候我會把那枚銅錢戒指拿出來看看,放在手心裏翻來覆去。它沒有生鏽,就像我頭一次戴它那天一樣亮。89Please respect copyright.PENANAejb6IyTneW
89Please respect copyright.PENANApWnEMkDsLI
然後我把它收起來,把手伸進口袋,發現口袋裏不知道什麼時候多了一朵乾枯的雛菊。89Please respect copyright.PENANAldaYomaZ6H
89Please respect copyright.PENANAlt7iTavQfh
小小的,黃白色的花瓣,像是很多年前有人在窗台上放下的那一朵。89Please respect copyright.PENANA6heMnSH5JL
89Please respect copyright.PENANAuocQ1pvI6W
我用透明膠片包裹著花,夾進了錢包裏。89Please respect copyright.PENANAlnMZNK0Sij
89Please respect copyright.PENANA3fWeS6du1c
89Please respect copyright.PENANA7Y7EW5ZTSj
第八章 最後89Please respect copyright.PENANAtFk0K0IKrT
89Please respect copyright.PENANAei7dVHrn6D
又過了半年。89Please respect copyright.PENANAz06RiSJKuV
89Please respect copyright.PENANAZXxTtBJPz3
有一天晚上,我做了一個夢,夢裏我站在一座很高的樓上,周圍全是霧,看不清下面是什麼。有人從背後拍了拍我的肩膀,我轉過頭,看到一個穿紅裙子的女人正衝我微笑。89Please respect copyright.PENANArwCKxKxELM
89Please respect copyright.PENANA4I8NVx0hV6
她的臉很清晰,比我在明火公寓裏看到的任何一次都要清晰。89Please respect copyright.PENANARtVkYH4szh
89Please respect copyright.PENANAypHiWTCDSY
她說:「謝謝你。我們都走了。你也走吧,別回頭。」89Please respect copyright.PENANA925rWagQID
89Please respect copyright.PENANAx33QEHRJ3q
我醒了,天剛亮。窗外的海面一片金紅色,陽光從海平面上慢慢升起來,像是整個世界都在重新開始。89Please respect copyright.PENANAjgjyNbJVSS
89Please respect copyright.PENANABfpVLrTIgI
我坐起來,穿上拖鞋,走到天台上,迎著早風站了很久。89Please respect copyright.PENANAhsCIl5KYtx
89Please respect copyright.PENANAS5NnzCt5OJ
風吹動我的頭髮,把遠處海鳥的聲音送過來,我想起我忘記問她一件事情了——那封寫了一半的信,那個在電梯裏害怕的小女孩,她在信裏最後想寫的是什麼。89Please respect copyright.PENANAlR4pnLdbve
89Please respect copyright.PENANArv3E25gf3l
但後來我沒有再問。因為有些事情不需要知道答案,它們已經結束了,或者說,它們正在以另一種方式存在着。89Please respect copyright.PENANAUoMaKDihu1
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【暑期限定】來宣傳你的作品吧!
Published:
Jul 21, 2026
ENTRY #148
光亮處
Author:
言晞森
Published:
Jul 21, 2026
38 Mins Read
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LIKES 4
READS 85
BOOKMARKS 22
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