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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRcAjcnV6k
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1qvssCzXe
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGqupFW0Yx
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagQxNhzdks
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1GkIjaJ6u
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubfC73onNj
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2HSqHMEgj
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxcZrKfjk7
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbEMJabh7D
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHUbSU8RjF
樂觀地想，至少我們並沒有送命。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuHefhboo7
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaaJThzeB3
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ohI7vn7x2
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPShs9Z9QI
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o9iaB4LmN
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9KOxHVwKH
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？173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbXf9MSHjb
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ReNxdfqpn
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？173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ovOJK6hZB
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7iR0y2MNV
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKTznhBV0w
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS96XFWsLf
「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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ7mt5S7ME
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz477tv6pB
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxTAauTOgZ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kkm9MSpM3
風鈴再次被風響了。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDp4BgjpLt
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDd0ExbdMF
Mia忽然問道：「Steven，你住嘅呢條街唔算多人慶祝萬聖節。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF1anCIqku
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ4s2J1u8j
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AsOHpe3oN
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8U21G4IMd
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHHrGEhGyw
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8loKoxbAI
「殺死我！」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN6k1fCnay
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssmYX3BMFj
「再快啲！再快啲！我要死喇！」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpJNHmuCdo
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwraYRT5gH
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZEjphSu30
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN0wcnE3uu
但，我的性經驗不是重點。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBZtIzestY
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExyWDoxPSy
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0ETMsUbSo
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aOXUx4SsI
「可能舊居民冇慶祝節日嘅習慣？」我不怎確定地對Mia解釋。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk9hKncsb6
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNvmDY5bZj
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU8QIwI3Gl
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7SXvCYfMP
「大家只係唔慶祝萬聖節。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIUjXQxrrc
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NoSE8x0gl
轉頭一瞥，我們與Tim的視線剛好對上。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznTPcFeKXy
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgYrVlqANg
Tim是「完全沒有佈置」的一派。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeHbxhwgAT
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSPaSZUmod
他關掉噏噏震動的剪草機，瞇起眼瞧看陰雲滿佈的天空。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DtJNta58Y
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6vg64nsKG
「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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcmY1QXslM
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReLNeQYYmk
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW3Mg3NqYZ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPaIbvmXpp
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOleNqn6Jh
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0pKmfnvU7
我追問道：「點解大家唔慶祝萬聖節？係唔係怕啲咩？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfOlFxEwm3
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcXtmtuzXM
「你哋還好？」Tim停雨腳步，神色複雜地回望我們。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YEkJWELnB
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRqVMXrBeB
我沒有回答他的問題，直勾勾地看著他。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OPiRNnASu
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKEpkVm6v6
Mia說道：「我哋想知道『萬聖節』嘅事。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsbSVZDqqP
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1icyufDnYS
Tim低吟兩秒，應道：「如果你哋唔趕時間，入嚟飲杯咖啡吧。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzirJq6PSNl
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdTty8XsbN
如是者，Mia和我在Tim的邀請下到他的家作客。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMYK6ExiQx
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTMKnfnfcQ
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzYT6qeHbp
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfcqoQBo3y
窗戶外下起毛毛細雨，窗台上的花瓶，插著一束白花。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5eBAe3TeS
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDgbhwJSKf
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanIyHH1PTm
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4GHmqdBf2
嗒，嗒。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpqPIicgGG
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwWj0fo8nI
「Come on，you little shit⋯⋯」Tim 抱怨兩句後，爐頭亮起火光。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAdAkOCUu4
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEpgtpezfB
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpzgmBGKLv
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ093BfIqPQf
一家四口的全家幅。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd4SmMfvaz
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHqMZgeZL9
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTdtS4pM1o
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe8BGBLvLD
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGLDxPR0pg
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66YF9YhmUG
「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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0aQiQmu5q
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3qWJQg48l
「唔好意思。」 我尷尬一笑。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B6TukEegk
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteF8NaXjM2
「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？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2EZbpCqbu
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEcnY8ODQq
「因為見到你哋屋企冇萬聖節裝飾。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPBHmwt8p6
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFNiAD1wQ9
「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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaneJbplp8
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTx6MMssDu
「宗教信仰？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY89rRY8fvm
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4cy7Hwg1C
Tim 搖了搖頭。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOlY2kAtCd
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrozdowlIc
「你哋無對佢哋解釋？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjennJnEK98
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QOJh1W3jm
「冇人願意提，而且有啲事知得愈少愈好。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFSAectsVN
「但你同我哋講嘅原因係？」Mia疑惑。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFOBICGupO
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpgwdJcy4d
「因為我想搵後生女仔陪我呢個大叔傾計解悶囉，嘿嘿。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3NdG6qBQl
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25tKq9dEV6
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5HUb1b4MW
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR96Y9jjeI
「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』？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJtPVSvCz5
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbJUhABJ5D
Tim口中的「他們」顯然指那對鬼母子！173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QIcpe4fJ7
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ1M4UPWSu
我和Mia不約而同點頭。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODr9e6Nno9
「你知道佢哋存在？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CLASc2vwd
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihWETDSKSs
「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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFsEEbAS1y
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdM2cQUMlK
「唔係每一年？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMCsYzs3Cx
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G4I6FKQlQ
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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFap1Vl2cn
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH2kbyyW4z
「所以你都見過？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFWUz0flNB
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtgNvmVa9O
「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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAyVY4fVjp
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulUi7ZXxhO
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⋯⋯173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28BCJaphCO
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhtoR30Pjs
＊173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqFPfYEFXD
＊173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3U21oIM4Q
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB2jAfRVnJ
嚓。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsknw9A1sw
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1JTfZECwe
「喔，唔該唔該。」Tim輕拍遞上火機的手示意。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx923fu4zU
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2u0dERXlR
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ53gIBWqG
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCs6hrIAMn
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDe3dqFt9t
這個壞男人叫Simon，這個故事不能或缺的男主角 。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuX8z9pGzh
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTw1Xtpd9E
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqKugYllDL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDjpTb1jNQ
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph8y4H1lz9
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qwVn1zkAU
Patricia沒有大小姐脾氣，是一個賢淑的妻子，也是一個好母親。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSK8SEFfaw
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNxnYWZdxl
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh2GyZ5EbN
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLleN5dLIV
跟一般當地人一樣，他們在假日經常聚會，因此。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEpSQFidAz
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaKJbDz6RS
「係喇，我之前見到Patricia⋯⋯佢塊面瘀咗，唔會係你打佢吧？」Tim試探道。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z6PeQSUyb
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhMc46gDgc
Simon呼出一口煙：「唔關我事，佢自己唔小心跌親。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV52IUzYDy
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqrJqhUYbq
Tim看到對方迴避自己的目光，頓時心裡有數。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJuwQOUfuN
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoLMdwFkOO
「今次輸幾多錢？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWsufPGWqQ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eBjMNMCBI
Simon聞言，露出一抹笑容，彷彿一直在等Tim這句話。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWWFKs5BiE
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt34ZSYs52I
「兩千鎊。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kciNEyyBF
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDuB18Ptz1
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUzEaQMyJQ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyM9XmR4L9
「最後一次，唔好再拎去賭。自從你搬咗去嗰間屋⋯⋯」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN8qCUcYCu
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGl1yxHIN6
「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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga9NmwjFIT
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvCGFEzFYv
這是1997年，萬聖節前的一個星期。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42Yf14OQxI
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji6KIM51AU
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA38gRPfKn
「Simon，你再考慮清楚先。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4lVpRg3Rt
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaCIzo0L44
「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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK17lbg9J1
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aoCoENJ4o
「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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsLpeLwMdB
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BthO4jaqI
然而，Tim的妻子的說詞卻是不一。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO6owWhR04
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hm2tszvAL
「其實我都覺得住近啲好⋯⋯大家有個照應。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD00e6bU0f
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuJ9ZJeL4n
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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr5BZCPM2u
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hOPbBJE8N
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECbDKQqooM
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5bJkcwfjX
富不過三代，但窮絕對可以，是一種惡性循環。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJIo9DyHyw
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM4qw2cDKC
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？173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bDbbNomiv
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh6sLXIBL6
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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9eg9ZbeJ7
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMBxXUu8NQ
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x4a0hUp7C
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzqukOJQVm
他的目光被空地邊緣的小黃花吸引。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdJlUfvFTV
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP9lJJmOBr
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm62Dn1Kj2
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGSHsFb4nt
＊173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8PyDbF9qi
＊173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFumOvyy3fI
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzQBaDWVll
Tim捻熄煙蒂，若有所思地攪動杯中的咖啡。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIQAcYdmcw
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1YixY6q5M
「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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKmfbO2YVP
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjeWKpReKw
「佢之後開始輸錢？」我並不意外。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWXm6uDopK
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmld66y9SnE
輸錢皆因贏錢起，這可是老生常談。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ijf6KtTeH
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7MWcD6AFq
「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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmPO8ABBgl
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONh9xVrinZ
「傳說，你最初勸Simon 唔好買嘅原因？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YJdTV8qb9
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKktUHIMC5c
Tim點點頭：「血樹傳說。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VlmJBTtpo
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs3QdEuhS3
「What the⋯⋯」Mia說。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijjz6ePBGh
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4UVTbuD9V
「fuck？」我補充。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9pTBScw8s
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8jzeZSCMA
「女巫與血樹嘅傳說。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4kHkgWZur
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hAK1PpSM5
＊173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8kxPjodpG
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpOFv46k6x
那是1997年前10月31日，Tim最後一次看到Patricia和小男孩Jack。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFzD4W2VYm
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc4BLu0lF1
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxew05EWxDh
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW896LVMysm
「Patricia，佢又打你？」Tim瞧看Patricia的墨鏡，看見眉角的傷口。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQCKPnneLd
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREQ6ExaCRj
Patricia趕忙搖頭：「唔，係我唔小心撞親。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPpMrVZa4W
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ViQpOxXuV
「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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvf8Oz72q0
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20WyuuAM6a
「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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EjBPEWchP
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNO2IgjsTO
「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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHNeaXYjSg
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt0bKHbc0w
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBtvxQVW4x
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf97f7b9xCI
Patricia尷尬地笑道：「Simon好快就冇事。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t1odk978B
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUeID87ZWb
「你聽我講，血樹傳說可能係真，嗰塊地係不祥之地。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJP4NMqHVi
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE34DU6SPwA
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61dwg5oCie
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cKKhiGWYH
信仰是一把雙面刃，能帶給人們希望，同時也可以是絕望。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOeiVPha9Z
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8MLZM5lIV
「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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU9AbHIqqO
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOwCow06On
「討伐女巫！！！將女巫吊死！！！」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswnkm3fsYb
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTPdcdkMPC
「燒死可惡嘅女巫！」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF5W03yvDd
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7LwaXM7c4
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2139bzABcL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8ka1NJRhz
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyzqG7PEge
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3GG6brs6f
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaVBKqEyRX
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ92nisdPu
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J3tgY74EX
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7jWm0NnM6
風吹過，能聽見淒厲的慘叫聲。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl9enJ3IPV
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCIxddLZC7
砍進樹幹，流出來的是腥紅的鮮血。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX5S5DdOjH
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51XyLJCxmn
將濕潤的泥土拿上手把玩，殘留強烈的血腥味。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXUNUq7aNL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7IxXuPZs7
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Rglij5ATI
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkG3exocrw
「Tim，真係唔使擔心我哋。」Patricia握住Tim的手，衷心感謝Tim的關心。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDZIDGY096
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nGsQ32xRb
「Jack，過嚟同Tim叔叔講媽媽教你嘅說話。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPBDOp9g4N
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2dfQoJmT6
「知道！」小男孩穿著白色小西裝，跑到Tim的面前。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcynojManl
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxCFY6vkON
「The sky is blue⋯⋯」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0qBRvMLZL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yAIpfy1we
「The grass is green⋯⋯」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YRjca1tsw
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNscRxQS655
「May we have our Halloween？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNxpCgj8qi
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLydiSFBmh
「If not a penny, a ha’penny will do⋯⋯」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3fMUlUpz5
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HZ5Jj95bv
「If not a ha’ penny, then God bless you!」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lRwLWLwBb
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGce6U7Lxp9
男孩Jack 吐舌，乖巧地伸出手。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeP9XreJvp
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGTaVd9HSz
「Trick or treat？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7FQ2v1771
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbbK1YD09P
＊173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAcs0yog7Y
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5EAKcWpXs
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。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOKhVWInbz
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLZaZHr0mu
Patricia和小男孩Jack正是一直纏著他們的鬼母子！173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxX93tTy5T
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NxIY1XTso
「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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzcOaDYovI
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFp8ZfRCfD
「離奇？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC94DJhfE9
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtIOXUk1FL
「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？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrHjwVdnj8
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N1QQInxNy
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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k2jQYCp23
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iXLGTJFh4
Mia不解地問道：「你點解肯定佢哋死咗？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOq0VixPuh
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUNHXClMHG
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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUq6LYNgyt
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v3yCSrS6S
「等等先，我唔係好明白。」我聽得一頭冒水。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjaq0sLAmW
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDfLG3JPJC
「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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CVte3nKev
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5UMIACdPL
很綠，十分綠。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LMlobomlb
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wSh8WNOSz
他的綠，比巴西龜、忍者龜和Marvel的變形俠醫都比下去。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYR33FwOBV
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNksZ4paVz
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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR0r1Bo9rF
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa7ccwvQTX
「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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbnDj1u8Vq
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQE4mzfSRe
「佢居然冇自殺？」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2hjZ6Pq4Y
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXp01lMfYl
Mia瞪我一眼，用力踩在我的腳背上。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJXkXWg2O5
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lGy8SryLY
「唔好意思。」我聳肩道歉。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH9VmuWjjR
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTAlPZuBZ8
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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5H6MaCuEn
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24YVgCkTTC
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。」173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna8eq42ytC
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I5RNVBchH
這是Tim跟我們說最後一段說話。173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1RuAX4PMp
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMNqmdbLDU
＊173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqZ81PuObJ
然後按「加至主畫面」