
二十年前——411Please respect copyright.PENANAgid4P85grx
411Please respect copyright.PENANAwWQRVof1az
小荷是個人見人愛的六歲小女孩,胖胖白白的臉配上一雙水靈大眼。她每天穿著荷媽親手做的一雙由彩色布碎拼湊而成的小鞋子到處玩耍,有時會跟同村的孩子們跑上山頭採菇,有時會為獨居老人送上新鮮採摘的漂亮花朵,有時會在湖邊遊蕩。411Please respect copyright.PENANAfIRO9dU4IK
411Please respect copyright.PENANAIbBF5Gkv4w
荷媽曾多次提醒她切勿走近湖邊,但小荷偏偏喜歡看蓮花,說蓮花是仙女的化身。荷媽忙著預備晚餐,不甚耐煩地反譏小荷幼稚。小荷不堪被譏諷,激動嚷著會帶蓮花仙女回家,然後頭也不回衝出家門。411Please respect copyright.PENANAlJECr6bjLg
411Please respect copyright.PENANAZLgyXbhzjZ
傍晚,晚餐備好了,小荷還沒有回家。荷媽心緒不寧,深怕小荷遇上意外。她挑燈外出,急步走往湖邊。411Please respect copyright.PENANAdUGjFjpjRv
411Please respect copyright.PENANAVZGnZy3nHW
小荷不在。411Please respect copyright.PENANAaF9aOddpeG
411Please respect copyright.PENANAeZv9vpETOs
荷媽的心頭涼了大截,連忙前去村長家求助。沒多久,大伙兒在湖邊叢林間搜索。411Please respect copyright.PENANARaExPwSy5W
411Please respect copyright.PENANA41ZBSjUmrM
無發現。411Please respect copyright.PENANAlA8wImeIVm
411Please respect copyright.PENANAXlp7VWhp27
村長打算重新部署搜索行動之際,有人指著湖中央的一朵蓮花大叫:「看!湖中那朵蓮花上有一隻鞋!」411Please respect copyright.PENANA57SyYNwNF8
411Please respect copyright.PENANADHFjV3qDx8
大伙兒定睛細看,卻因光線不足而未能確定那是否一隻鞋。荷媽救女心切,不理眾人勸阻跳入湖中游向那朵蓮花。游著、游著,她的身影突然消失了。411Please respect copyright.PENANAzZxwGJYkEL
411Please respect copyright.PENANARIuSuKwEF9
為免有更多人命犧牲,村民只得待天亮才落水找荷媽。不出所料,荷媽的腳踝被水草纏住,溺斃湖底。村民認得蓮花上的鞋子確是屬於小荷,但找遍湖底亦找不到她的身影。唯有繼續在林間搜索。無果。個多月後,眾人認為找到小荷的機會渺茫,於是停止搜索。411Please respect copyright.PENANAXpQza2NBPy
411Please respect copyright.PENANAeUlvNXXxgo
村裡開始流傳蓮花仙女帶走小荷的傳聞……411Please respect copyright.PENANAa6oq5HF4KW
411Please respect copyright.PENANAXApdfOQTEv
「那是在你出生前發生的事情?」阿夏一邊聽得著迷,一邊望著車窗外的油油綠草地,驚嘆著這寧靜山村背後竟有這種可怕事。411Please respect copyright.PENANAbDTDhhDxSF
411Please respect copyright.PENANANNSfETyWq6
「不。當年我十歲,和小荷挺熟絡。」芙兒沒心情欣賞風景,逕自倚著椅背,微微仰首凝視車廂天花那色調偏冷的米光燈。411Please respect copyright.PENANA4anM3cBcB8
411Please respect copyright.PENANACUssz1lARY
「小荷失蹤一事是你當警察的原因嗎?」阿夏與芙兒作伴數年,不難看出芙兒心事重重,尤其今趟「回鄉之旅」是離鄉別井十多年的芙兒主動提出,可見其別具意義。411Please respect copyright.PENANA3JAFRQlwJF
411Please respect copyright.PENANAqaqT1H8Ca7
「嗯……一部份吧。不能說是完全因為她,也不能說是與這事情毫無關係。」芙兒苦笑,些許後悔無故主動提及這大煞風景的陳年往事。回鄉目的不是向各位鄉親苦老宣佈自己與阿夏的婚訊和設喜宴嗎?不是要歡天喜地、眉開眼笑嗎?411Please respect copyright.PENANAdb6d48pFag
411Please respect copyright.PENANAJniHtuxhvK
「不管如何……」阿夏是個聰明人,明明對案件內容細節有興趣,但也知道要適可宜止。他輕拍芙兒的手背,安慰道:「事情已然過去,多想無益。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAgHO2GzJDf9
411Please respect copyright.PENANAqZw7y7yDlg
「是的。過去了。」芙兒吁一口氣,似是釋懷,奈何揪心的感覺難以單憑幾句安慰說話連根拔起。411Please respect copyright.PENANA6Fiq3xnTR1
411Please respect copyright.PENANAhqMRLRnJcf
顛著、簸著,好不容易來到村口。大城市發展一日千里,隱世小村亦逃不過時間巨輪的輾壓,已然根據政府的規劃建議打造成「山村旅遊區」。生來就是城市人的阿夏未曾到過農村,覺得這地方別具風味,但在村內待了十多年的芙兒卻嗤之以鼻:不也就是電視劇裡的假農村嗎?411Please respect copyright.PENANAwwueNNORYn
411Please respect copyright.PENANAzlVRWHqM9J
驀地,一個想法在芙兒腦海掠過。411Please respect copyright.PENANAXkpi4SaKfM
411Please respect copyright.PENANA7BYIjW5usR
「阿夏。」芙兒拉拉阿夏的手袖:「我們先去蓮花池那邊看看吧。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAllZFZl4JUu
411Please respect copyright.PENANAKO2dRXI16k
不出芙兒所料,蓮花池已面目全非。池邊的泥地與草叢變成了磚路與涼亭,上了漆的鐵製圍欄整齊繞池而立,蓮花換了個品種,顏色更亮麗奪目,尺寸亦比以往的大上數倍。唯一不變的是頭頂上的烈日,仍然熾熱得惡毒。411Please respect copyright.PENANALSOOmvIAiX
411Please respect copyright.PENANAyEEY8RpAFL
芙兒逕自繞著蓮花池逆時針方向拐圈踱步。時間彷彿隨著步伐逆行,日落月出,瞬間回到二十年前那個夜晚……411Please respect copyright.PENANAwmtGAnPIPi
411Please respect copyright.PENANA4uwPtxnJtz
「我帶芙兒外出散步散心。」晚飯後,芙爸病懨懨地對妻子說。411Please respect copyright.PENANAHFOKdqXhLz
411Please respect copyright.PENANAOqTeYLIHPG
「嗯。」芙媽忙於照顧病兒,分身不暇。411Please respect copyright.PENANAJNPH4ceQq4
411Please respect copyright.PENANAaxbH3IDWZY
夏夜有月,月下有蟬,蟬聲擾人又煩人。路上,芙爸眉頭鎖得更深。芙兒乖乖不作聲,默默尾隨他快步走。411Please respect copyright.PENANA2piqY5ycDu
411Please respect copyright.PENANAR8j53ISalM
「芙兒,你愛媽媽嗎?」411Please respect copyright.PENANAP5JNCW79Qu
411Please respect copyright.PENANApYeidAywye
「愛。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAjaTCPNtbzw
411Please respect copyright.PENANAuFCC70h4WW
「你愛爸爸嗎?」411Please respect copyright.PENANAuAv5qwpixj
411Please respect copyright.PENANAVcpMMfXSwY
「愛。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAitYfoPA4hr
411Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3eN1PtvUJ
「你愛哥哥嗎?」411Please respect copyright.PENANAX1a7xt45EK
411Please respect copyright.PENANA2OnvQCwjvM
芙兒心裡一寒,不自已停下腳步——她早前無意間發現爸爸向前任村長秘密查詢有關人口販子的事。難道爸爸為了替哥哥籌措醫藥費而打算賣掉她?411Please respect copyright.PENANAiKfjufwThl
411Please respect copyright.PENANAqcBRKCaDQv
「你愛我嗎?」芙兒無力反問。411Please respect copyright.PENANAbKfFfCjGJf
411Please respect copyright.PENANAJV7IilTp9O
芙爸沒有回答,繼續低頭開步走。411Please respect copyright.PENANATN6N7OOsQO
411Please respect copyright.PENANAjake08KBcP
芙兒想要跑回家去,雙腳卻不由自主隨著爸爸走,縱然明知那是不歸路。411Please respect copyright.PENANAVI5u2P66Br
411Please respect copyright.PENANAWCdBxfEh1J
途經蓮花池,巧遇小荷。芙爸倏忽衝前打昏小荷。芙兒明白爸爸的意圖,連忙拉住他。411Please respect copyright.PENANARMPdCfkmIb
411Please respect copyright.PENANAJqYNWAFMxF
「小荷是無辜的!」411Please respect copyright.PENANAjRIgJ5lcdj
411Please respect copyright.PENANAhujHP8i1kF
「但我捨不得你啊!」411Please respect copyright.PENANAILi5BkJV3l
411Please respect copyright.PENANA1NqqQhMfwq
芙兒不期然鬆開了手——她聽得出話裡的割捨與堅決。爸爸向來善良老實,日子艱難亦不會做鼠竊狗偷的勾當。奈何今次關乎兒子的生命安危和女兒的命運!他寧可割捨良知,亦要保住家人。411Please respect copyright.PENANAzUYNtL0nam
411Please respect copyright.PENANAZ13hBwoerr
芙兒理解了、妥協了,芙爸眼神反倒更為悲憤不安。他脫下小荷的一隻鞋,使勁拋向蓮花池。鞋子剛好不偏不倚落在池中央的一朵大蓮花上。411Please respect copyright.PENANAHw256Oguig
411Please respect copyright.PENANA38u5KyFjzl
父女兩人不約而同望向那朵大蓮花。純白蓮花被夜色沾污成帶有瘀青的淡灰色,悉才看來色彩繽紛的小鞋子亦被迫融入夜色,成了一個若隱若現的小黑點。411Please respect copyright.PENANATQpt1vjmvv
411Please respect copyright.PENANAqvnKsCh3kx
小黑點,人生裡的大污點。411Please respect copyright.PENANAFiKFfk9rhH
411Please respect copyright.PENANADfAM8iWft9
來到約定的地方。人口販子沒有芙兒想像中的鼠頭獐目。他相貌平凡,打扮平凡,舉止平凡,有如田裡的一顆穀粒,獨一無二卻平凡普通。411Please respect copyright.PENANA92x02JGB6K
411Please respect copyright.PENANAnG8ITfS9sx
二人無聲的奉上小荷,默默的收下金錢,不能見光的交易在無光的樹林中順利完成。411Please respect copyright.PENANAQAa7Jmjp5g
411Please respect copyright.PENANADxPjbU7pQH
芙兒自此在這夜池邊中無限輪迴。411Please respect copyright.PENANARftOcnnPL5
411Please respect copyright.PENANAWiemk8HbpR
晝如夜,夜是夜。此人是小荷,那人是小荷,異裝同臉。池中有蓮,家中有蓮,路中有蓮,蓮上有鞋。411Please respect copyright.PENANAixOjN0UtZk
411Please respect copyright.PENANAkdHXYDgyQj
瘋了。芙兒的世界瘋了。411Please respect copyright.PENANAT7tWpRebDQ
411Please respect copyright.PENANARUSoKQNwDI
需要救贖。無人能救。只得自救。411Please respect copyright.PENANAphV7tBMSa9
411Please respect copyright.PENANARyKjKqKefi
救哥哥,犧牲小荷。救自己,犧牲誰?411Please respect copyright.PENANASwcFzA53CE
411Please respect copyright.PENANAB91CXtd7Hr
「記住,賣掉小荷的人是我,不是你。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAXD88ctohTD
411Please respect copyright.PENANASAzkZnv6UQ
「我沒有阻止你。」411Please respect copyright.PENANArjioEtSeQR
411Please respect copyright.PENANALURsWcJoEy
「阻止得了麼?」411Please respect copyright.PENANAqS4VN9KAFv
411Please respect copyright.PENANApqoinqraQB
「至少,我該要嘗試。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAeOyOoSxi5E
411Please respect copyright.PENANA74pspzhvai
「嘗試有用麼?」411Please respect copyright.PENANA99rVFt3D7L
411Please respect copyright.PENANA1QAvTOP76I
芙兒如夢初醒——芙爸企圖獨自扛起一切責任,救贖芙兒。她不自控笑著流淚,內心得到救贖的同時又跌落另一深淵——自己得救,爸爸犧牲。411Please respect copyright.PENANANRkRTdBsgy
411Please respect copyright.PENANAoKF1Pc3nxc
真的得到了救贖嗎?不肯定。411Please respect copyright.PENANAe0P8Qs5inD
411Please respect copyright.PENANATweHijGXE7
她離鄉到城市尋找工作,輾轉當上警察。對失蹤案尤感興趣。找人,找救贖。找到人,找不到救贖。411Please respect copyright.PENANAVum2ozR5aX
411Please respect copyright.PENANAGLDhhfxqPw
收到來自家鄉的信,提及哥哥病逝。她丟掉信件,假裝未曾收到。根本沒意義,根本誰也沒能得救,無論犧牲多大。411Please respect copyright.PENANAdKTFHmlt0D
411Please respect copyright.PENANAfwIT6sRZV1
芙媽來了,問芙兒為何不出席哥哥的喪禮。她說不知道哥哥逝世一事。芙媽低頭掩面大笑,笑了很久,然後哭了很久。「你爸說你不會為此回來,我說你不是狠心的人。原來我們都錯了——你根本不知情。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAAfGkTaVrAD
411Please respect copyright.PENANA9F85niOigo
有甚麼值得笑或哭?芙兒不明白。或許媽媽也不明白,純粹為笑而笑、為哭而哭,無謂卻有為。至少她的情緒得以紓緩,面容不再繃緊。411Please respect copyright.PENANA9GEg4qZ8HG
411Please respect copyright.PENANAaDNQJbecu5
數年後,芙媽死了。芙兒同樣沒有出席喪禮。她向上司請假數天,躲在家裡,足不出戶。不斷憶起媽媽當日又哭又笑的癲狂模樣。真羨慕。沒有隱藏,沒有秘密。411Please respect copyright.PENANA4HRMIQ8y5P
411Please respect copyright.PENANA3SaKdo2kL6
假期完結後,芙兒重投工作。警局來了一個新丁,名叫阿夏,比芙兒年輕數載。他長有一張孩子臉,胖胖白白,水靈大眼,像小荷。芙兒的目光離不開阿夏,主動接近他、勾搭他。二人由相識至同睡一床,僅是三天內的事。411Please respect copyright.PENANAww5g2tbswq
411Please respect copyright.PENANATLpyMEVhby
阿夏不解。411Please respect copyright.PENANAtjgC5nL4R6
411Please respect copyright.PENANA3NGORMh9WK
「你不似是水性楊花的女人。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAocmZ3x3fVs
411Please respect copyright.PENANAOCXFDY1Cpw
「你不似是諸事八卦的男人。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAyqQOGDlTRo
411Please respect copyright.PENANA3nAcWOzzcp
阿夏開始追求芙兒。芙兒不接受,卻偶爾與他同睡。為何不愛他卻會與他睡?是發洩,是鬱悶,或是對往事的情感投射?芙兒解釋不了,亦不想解釋——找到解釋之時,另一個問題就會隨即出現。411Please respect copyright.PENANAMMy2NC0wIc
411Please respect copyright.PENANAkBQ8CqTVCw
繼續同睡,繼續被追求,繼續找人找救贖。生活不過如此,平平凡凡,無無謂謂。411Please respect copyright.PENANAp1MGnEbIFp
411Please respect copyright.PENANAt9Ab3Q9TH4
數年後的某天,芙兒收到來自兒時鄰居的一通電話。對方說芙爸病重,行將就木,希望她回鄉探望。411Please respect copyright.PENANAUZeEDWsSYX
411Please respect copyright.PENANAHCWt2Gp25G
「是他希望我回去,或是大家希望我回去探望他?」411Please respect copyright.PENANAA26BjDxcAo
411Please respect copyright.PENANADK9VhtFBTo
「他堅持不要通知你,但大家還是決定要告訴你。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAFYoFyTGJ4b
411Please respect copyright.PENANAoNY4ODcm51
「我明白了。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAqADnnNyFbd
411Please respect copyright.PENANAQySGARyY4K
當晚,芙兒跟阿夏說要盡快回鄉宣佈婚訊、設喜宴。411Please respect copyright.PENANAcqrr5hjuPy
411Please respect copyright.PENANAFk8uvnn31f
「你跟誰結婚?」阿夏詫異。411Please respect copyright.PENANAMs6lKMoApK
411Please respect copyright.PENANAEfLLb9w2NW
「你。」芙兒明白阿夏的不明白。411Please respect copyright.PENANAohrAE53XoR
411Please respect copyright.PENANAbauFtGDKYE
顛著、簸著,好不容易來到村口。大城市發展一日千里,隱世小村亦逃不過時間巨輪的輾壓,已然根據政府的規劃建議打造成「山村旅遊區」。生來就是城市人的阿夏未曾到過農村,覺得這地方別具風味,但在村內待了十多年的芙兒卻嗤之以鼻:不也就是電視劇裡的假農村嗎?411Please respect copyright.PENANASY7PkCkVxb
411Please respect copyright.PENANALotaShGhAj
驀地,一個想法在芙兒腦海掠過。411Please respect copyright.PENANAg9Z1dcESj4
411Please respect copyright.PENANAgt31Lfv8pm
「阿夏。」芙兒拉拉阿夏的手袖:「我們先去蓮花池那邊看看吧。」411Please respect copyright.PENANANnb2ZYVk6y
411Please respect copyright.PENANAe7xfyzXmLT
不出芙兒所料,蓮花池已面目全非。池邊的泥地與草叢變成了磚路與涼亭,上了漆的鐵製圍欄整齊繞池而立,蓮花換了個品種,顏色更亮麗奪目,尺寸亦比以往的大上數倍。唯一不變的是頭頂上的烈日,仍然熾熱得惡毒。411Please respect copyright.PENANAY1SaAcs0bv
411Please respect copyright.PENANANJgJ5KuiGX
芙兒逕自繞著蓮花池逆時針方向拐圈踱步。踱踱踱,時間有可能隨著步伐逆轉,帶她回到二十年前的那個晚上嗎?若明知結果,她還是會不阻止爸爸賣掉小荷嗎?411Please respect copyright.PENANAc3NOieShyC
411Please respect copyright.PENANA4KL17rB1X6
老家陋宅裡,趁著阿夏上廁所的空檔,芙兒湊近芙爸耳邊直接問:「若明知結果,你還是會賣掉小荷嗎?」411Please respect copyright.PENANA8gPhveF9Wf
411Please respect copyright.PENANAJXASAz1ZjT
「會。」氣若柔絲的芙爸斬釘截鐵:「因為我是當爸的。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAOclYbG6A48
411Please respect copyright.PENANAKD6Kwrzjlo
「若沒有遇上小荷,你會賣掉我嗎?」411Please respect copyright.PENANARzjiwA9Ahu
411Please respect copyright.PENANA1AXKzMHorf
「會。因為你們兄妹倆都會活著。活著才會有希望。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAx6LT0o6b3J
411Please respect copyright.PENANAcgdSSn1Zmi
芙兒大受刺激,轉身奪門而出。411Please respect copyright.PENANAACboGG4gsr
411Please respect copyright.PENANAPk8xCOrkEb
夏夜有月,月下有蟬,蟬聲擾人又煩人。路上行人疏落,卻異裝同臉,小荷的臉。路中倏忽生出白蓮朵朵,蓮上皆有小彩鞋一隻。芙兒知道自己瘋了,眼前盡是幻覺。理智脫軌,她不再恐懼,像個十歲的少女那樣跳脫輕盈,一步踏一蓮,來到池邊。411Please respect copyright.PENANALRUft5SU3M
411Please respect copyright.PENANAzCSm0eef3B
池邊有人,像小荷,像芙爸,像人口販子,像阿夏。她握著一隻彩色小鞋,木無表情直盯池中那朵大蓮花。芙兒走近女子,女子報以微笑,遞上手中小鞋。411Please respect copyright.PENANAKY31dPi9Yk
411Please respect copyright.PENANAOFNwRN2EuU
芙兒接過它,模仿爸爸當晚的姿勢,以完美的拋物線弧度拋出小鞋。小鞋不偏不倚剛好落在池中央的蓮花上,有如二十年前的那夜。純白蓮花被夜色沾污成帶有瘀青的淡灰色,悉才看來色彩繽紛的小鞋子亦被迫融入夜色,成了一個若隱若現的小黑點。411Please respect copyright.PENANAGKvjEzpRJb
411Please respect copyright.PENANAdn2upcmMJN
女人哈哈大笑起來,笑聲豁然開朗。芙兒腳下的白蓮和小鞋驀地消失隱去,唯獨女子依然完好站在面前。笑過以後,女子轉身離開,身影沒入林間不復見。411Please respect copyright.PENANAxbMLQLNVio
411Please respect copyright.PENANAV09Vf8arPL
芙兒惘然——她不肯定對方是幻覺或是確切存在的真人。411Please respect copyright.PENANASTn6hfMjS8
411Please respect copyright.PENANAJValw5cmzZ
數日後,芙爸與世長辭。411Please respect copyright.PENANAowubkydDQ0
411Please respect copyright.PENANA5srqpRSt5X
「既然不需要沖喜,你還會跟我結婚嗎?」411Please respect copyright.PENANA0AtICwyZBF
411Please respect copyright.PENANAJtKVOlDkPY
「你想跟我結婚嗎?」411Please respect copyright.PENANA2Pq2HlBbLG
411Please respect copyright.PENANAZfB6jw7JUl
「想。我愛你。」411Please respect copyright.PENANAysGVwU1B9O
411Please respect copyright.PENANAc3Uwzt5MSS
「那就繼續吧。」411Please respect copyright.PENANA3HrY9p3L7s
411Please respect copyright.PENANA5Tg5DiYSeg
喜慶夜,大排筵席。此人是小荷,那人是小荷,新郎是小荷,老爺是小荷,奶奶是小荷,滿堂皆是小荷。芙兒帶醉喜極而泣,感激小荷前來祝福她。411Please respect copyright.PENANAx7FqpueI4Q
411Please respect copyright.PENANAkO4Z02QHBL
宴後,賓客散去。醉得幾近失去意識的芙兒被攙扶到新房去。滾燙的臉龐忽爾涼涼的。她知道有人為她用濕毛巾抹臉抹汗。411Please respect copyright.PENANAvGkK1ME3Wv
411Please respect copyright.PENANArJJ1r8CpHQ
「謝謝你……小荷……」411Please respect copyright.PENANA1TPmjBdh3j
411Please respect copyright.PENANAqK3BiPsSDd
「不用客氣……」411Please respect copyright.PENANA1wDORk1zi7
411Please respect copyright.PENANAZKYILHZ5Mr
說著說著,阿夏哭了。晶瑩淚水沿著胖白的臉頰下滑,水靈大眼楚楚可憐。像小荷。411Please respect copyright.PENANArbia478Qjr