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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UDsOCZ0JJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXlBnD9XtY
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqGuABbsUF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzet32O4UY
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2HcAEp5Ng
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGWbhvA2mc
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbwqRERyzy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZKqJghwMw
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9icWKdBBaz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz1wSM2qAZ
樂觀地想，至少我們並沒有送命。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe57NIQfgal
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQALEDYPcS
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP0bmbwspa
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhkORDwVNB
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs5KxWAkQF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnFNVPzUjt
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？179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrDV45aMSL
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhyxxSikiZ
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？179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1GdDQ1Z7r
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl0ik0RCVs
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG1JRaLMQW
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRIvnqJTFu
「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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKdWmA1qfH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T5ZerXb23
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2iayQMxpE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBbch7Cz9W
風鈴再次被風響了。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXs37B92uZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALL1Q5IC4b
Mia忽然問道：「Steven，你住嘅呢條街唔算多人慶祝萬聖節。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PdvT51VUO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxflm8aTPG
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzY3oP4LGg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExehXfn4lp
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQHrsUln1W
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFBhsotf48
「殺死我！」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0EmxgQCmd
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr9vYaAOMc
「再快啲！再快啲！我要死喇！」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEUyNxAaTD
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnssSkD90Xu
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy00vJFV8iy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dexXUdWCi
但，我的性經驗不是重點。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU31SwYWoA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ943PqmAxnJ
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8rQ7SYoCA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORDsm2jLyW
「可能舊居民冇慶祝節日嘅習慣？」我不怎確定地對Mia解釋。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxdsOS6SNG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyMWHLQfbW
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoESyKhUth
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXKSmynEER
「大家只係唔慶祝萬聖節。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NhLYnIo09
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSll94YyfV
轉頭一瞥，我們與Tim的視線剛好對上。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOgr4JIoIu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbggl2by6Cr
Tim是「完全沒有佈置」的一派。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XFypHChOc
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLAuGArf0S
他關掉噏噏震動的剪草機，瞇起眼瞧看陰雲滿佈的天空。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF9oxXUjLJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZaoiY7YeH
「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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9jP7qBc06
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr3GcZWh5Z
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDbJf0QCJA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36R50h3FSh
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvek6thNAF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMM1bB6leN
我追問道：「點解大家唔慶祝萬聖節？係唔係怕啲咩？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo52eeSrlih
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7e8XSlVGq
「你哋還好？」Tim停雨腳步，神色複雜地回望我們。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mDKHKDn7k
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWK48CCshH
我沒有回答他的問題，直勾勾地看著他。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhC1W9ra2L
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzHlFOFqsL
Mia說道：「我哋想知道『萬聖節』嘅事。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CrKo179s8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuI3efr3lk
Tim低吟兩秒，應道：「如果你哋唔趕時間，入嚟飲杯咖啡吧。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WnQx7T0Ly
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbJWU69o54
如是者，Mia和我在Tim的邀請下到他的家作客。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddegsWUefY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb442TSkrpp
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVyVQ0FBhN
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGi4Wks0Sp
窗戶外下起毛毛細雨，窗台上的花瓶，插著一束白花。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoDQVAkO6r
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx7VjzHAkU
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwAJpJqol3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNVrQPhwnZ
嗒，嗒。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOodLy9gn1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNECygXvyTZ
「Come on，you little shit⋯⋯」Tim 抱怨兩句後，爐頭亮起火光。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRc1oiZNS2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiLcNa5M9Z
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbf0DQh2Or
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmEb3tXdp6
一家四口的全家幅。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G9yNaP1Ss
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y3GoZISHt
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvpNcP2tzV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqIHzpFOxu
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNzABtvmog
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Rev58d8Wb
「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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi9KeHzM6x
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3tCSdY7s8
「唔好意思。」 我尷尬一笑。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOmM7OFbWu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0aVMEJQmn
「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？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr0a8leKMz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzzpN7IAjL
「因為見到你哋屋企冇萬聖節裝飾。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwfp2XwVni
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkF8o1fexK
「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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu5jVncuTB
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPADCwXW6E1
「宗教信仰？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0977LaMqt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7SvOWl7e3
Tim 搖了搖頭。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl7EpH9ELw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGHJQmdsFB
「你哋無對佢哋解釋？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvC9YaTJl7
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglwnEgkryN
「冇人願意提，而且有啲事知得愈少愈好。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMtEVkxClK
「但你同我哋講嘅原因係？」Mia疑惑。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFdYQ0XaU3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNcVB7DFh8
「因為我想搵後生女仔陪我呢個大叔傾計解悶囉，嘿嘿。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaNoSTpCm2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNcxjwGyIN
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWaPT6762H
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA83Uej9z8
「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』？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3COwkvmApG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFm3ceTnZe
Tim口中的「他們」顯然指那對鬼母子！179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzezUcohOx2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXPoCueeWa
我和Mia不約而同點頭。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWBY4zTKeq
「你知道佢哋存在？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzYdGmWwxV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrinWH20XRG
「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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwlLc2La1Z
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD5znoJpUo
「唔係每一年？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjd4F4eZtC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVhLG8q6tM
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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmocbpGO2B
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUZbmL9kci
「所以你都見過？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVdWaHBLQH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqib7pIx1L
「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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOEi0hhuq6
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EdslXL3YP
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⋯⋯179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZZAW2LMOM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWkEHI874I
＊179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly7YAzEChU
＊179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwJbfMxLhz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8qAFVE4He
嚓。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV5ap8uExR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPiXb3jjI2
「喔，唔該唔該。」Tim輕拍遞上火機的手示意。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQhvx13IPO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRroSz7SUj
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGjOko0dPW
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHVb3pZspT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy1S87AxWj
這個壞男人叫Simon，這個故事不能或缺的男主角 。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuPJsQ3Ogu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRDYB0bda8
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAjiiGqZT1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGDwglpzZP
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcMXzOjwhu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUGDghF2RF
Patricia沒有大小姐脾氣，是一個賢淑的妻子，也是一個好母親。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA8L5avWmn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSSzpp9NLk
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSQOwYNEYw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01FKqRruFe
跟一般當地人一樣，他們在假日經常聚會，因此。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywJ1IpCVaa
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKBzTjoQZE
「係喇，我之前見到Patricia⋯⋯佢塊面瘀咗，唔會係你打佢吧？」Tim試探道。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsSiMcHESp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hIViK98Ro
Simon呼出一口煙：「唔關我事，佢自己唔小心跌親。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA6h23r0h6
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4jChM2V86
Tim看到對方迴避自己的目光，頓時心裡有數。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaGxS79CeN
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62TWqYnJMN
「今次輸幾多錢？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHVoYoDyP5
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7LdsPKRFj
Simon聞言，露出一抹笑容，彷彿一直在等Tim這句話。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWphk5WpHJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOYijyyIGl
「兩千鎊。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9PFluU1BJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEy2AzSNTo
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L3B05oEqU
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppoEhJeyMi
「最後一次，唔好再拎去賭。自從你搬咗去嗰間屋⋯⋯」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2NolYQbp4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzmvR8ZVqs
「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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLBZXaGYKn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDMeX3DWCO
這是1997年，萬聖節前的一個星期。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWsVf8aI5S
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vj3gV7Zdk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhdyNoHosj
「Simon，你再考慮清楚先。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcwnvuwWQy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXj24E9rr1
「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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37ua2Yp1Gz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA471ZBVubF
「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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vj2533RzN
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsLFnwAHhq
然而，Tim的妻子的說詞卻是不一。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6jsfugt2K
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUIpAnqFgL
「其實我都覺得住近啲好⋯⋯大家有個照應。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPhPTjHeiF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O86hqcmyi
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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7POc2BC4m
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhIdVmoCWE
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYgunD0JzJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL4I4KCTWy
富不過三代，但窮絕對可以，是一種惡性循環。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7iYjtAlua
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8Bt52sAhG
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？179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62JCBCpv1v
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eJ0mqI8bo
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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9df1Qks3ZY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JkVri75cx
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyzfQEodWj
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVO2lFgvZ5
他的目光被空地邊緣的小黃花吸引。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu4tvWASFm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk9sfB6Z17
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cPd2j5uTs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOA5gUXmZc
＊179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzRurdo9pa
＊179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j3urG58I0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9k7fGK1hQ
Tim捻熄煙蒂，若有所思地攪動杯中的咖啡。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoj7zQycmG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaAdJ0SJVg
「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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSckqwsrFJ2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah41k2GpHX
「佢之後開始輸錢？」我並不意外。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnQo98B3Pp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBw96oiPsy
輸錢皆因贏錢起，這可是老生常談。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6aWxmaU5b
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN0vp4Bk3o
「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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e4VTGY9lh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPHmyVvwJf
「傳說，你最初勸Simon 唔好買嘅原因？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk87ea0vAqH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaLZK5VIVG
Tim點點頭：「血樹傳說。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xg7q47mkD
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKniZ2XlDja
「What the⋯⋯」Mia說。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUJ6nfrvVh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYy2sJcZvj
「fuck？」我補充。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGaJOUoflx
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBW56mw0E1
「女巫與血樹嘅傳說。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvszMoO9VW
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbOi8qanib
＊179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxePIt6MAsi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR4ZGpUnYo
那是1997年前10月31日，Tim最後一次看到Patricia和小男孩Jack。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyu4UqEpjG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCth6c1isDg
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFvDIp0G4W
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vYOSW6JXt
「Patricia，佢又打你？」Tim瞧看Patricia的墨鏡，看見眉角的傷口。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboqZqMxcf2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEUn4fQH9Q
Patricia趕忙搖頭：「唔，係我唔小心撞親。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYgoQnm8Rp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOVlRmLi2N
「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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4IJtl5LPa
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEji7hlOkN
「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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBYZOj3uXt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KncCWzOEj
「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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiElKofdHkZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHA4YJj3JW
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv9ukhY61i
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsRxmpoEev
Patricia尷尬地笑道：「Simon好快就冇事。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs87SwpKoYc
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkzMn7dCLA
「你聽我講，血樹傳說可能係真，嗰塊地係不祥之地。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOyuAUDtSn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNWfqZcuv7
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFFDVSOE4k
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPJ24W0TtE
信仰是一把雙面刃，能帶給人們希望，同時也可以是絕望。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUnpe3bQ8C
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj5RiQYApi
「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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc34fKZHPYO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb13eIzjGM
「討伐女巫！！！將女巫吊死！！！」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigS75L7Auz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMBq2pMpZR
「燒死可惡嘅女巫！」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTGHNYwlqI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr113dkd9O
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eiGuxxjwp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6TitjRm0T
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubDvDiqwHV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs6Jq1YUEP
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLUYUSXRR7
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnnVg4l2TV
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTB2qM1ZLC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrTrrwvlzU
風吹過，能聽見淒厲的慘叫聲。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSTW2MZAoV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjkv3yiXhc
砍進樹幹，流出來的是腥紅的鮮血。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQIbjRmwev
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE4qSmUOEj
將濕潤的泥土拿上手把玩，殘留強烈的血腥味。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEEIuAqIN7
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm8aInYoLc
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6fog3ONiU
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KcHJ4YNMw
「Tim，真係唔使擔心我哋。」Patricia握住Tim的手，衷心感謝Tim的關心。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKEdCSnTtr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXYT7n7qt5
「Jack，過嚟同Tim叔叔講媽媽教你嘅說話。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JiAQe7BDh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG41qsD8ty
「知道！」小男孩穿著白色小西裝，跑到Tim的面前。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ol8But3m9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2UZppFpR7
「The sky is blue⋯⋯」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDI53Bi75V
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJuBBGXZQa
「The grass is green⋯⋯」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aM5IQeGPf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CuQppj25O
「May we have our Halloween？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24wJkaV8Ep
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTI0qixCQO
「If not a penny, a ha’penny will do⋯⋯」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6rVzYdgnR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql0WXb0MW5
「If not a ha’ penny, then God bless you!」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBeYFnqxOD
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTywGL2q8Le
男孩Jack 吐舌，乖巧地伸出手。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcsP3KY9LU
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPbMPDo3Yv
「Trick or treat？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ279GyBC0nE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVQnuH6yYN
＊179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0rJXJ4QDS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi39fz0dpu
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。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLOeNLYd4z
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnSNWMeHJw
Patricia和小男孩Jack正是一直纏著他們的鬼母子！179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjCmqvaFql
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSJM7PwcjV
「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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj1W7PBIsP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGgOOqlYrr
「離奇？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgCJef9g0c
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN9bZe3Hxk
「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？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZvZ8HUiot
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAZjO1sCi9
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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI0n2POHON
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGrT7Q17yY
Mia不解地問道：「你點解肯定佢哋死咗？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFV7CIy5Zr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwRSvhBMyd
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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDicawtzsn2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnhbP7aEMH
「等等先，我唔係好明白。」我聽得一頭冒水。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupBaeEiyCV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqROaSEcX5
「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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzasvK5vEK6
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZTZVR0xCl
很綠，十分綠。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl3g9kvRyM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDOELL3NkS
他的綠，比巴西龜、忍者龜和Marvel的變形俠醫都比下去。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDcI9Fw3eX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0qGES3s2t
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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFZcFBZLjH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLwc5RynUp
「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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB2arRpVtP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtaPLFe6IF
「佢居然冇自殺？」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjxIBmftub
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8FIDyDo8H
Mia瞪我一眼，用力踩在我的腳背上。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7cuUTuRlC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUP5mkFUy2
「唔好意思。」我聳肩道歉。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiieDobIYCm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN7kTKC6C4
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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz4S1IOQhj
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio4o74F8VE
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。」179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCMKlNGDFg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSxrNFJs8q
這是Tim跟我們說最後一段說話。179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sgvKjSpUe
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo33sa14MmM
＊179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPJ2ljbJxZ
然後按「加至主畫面」