二月八號,艾萊妮生日當天,恰好是周六。123Please respect copyright.PENANAXKbc7Eit9W
123Please respect copyright.PENANA8iHO0i2xBv
十三名學生在麥教授辦公室裡集合,通過壁爐呼嚕網,一一抵達聖蒙果醫院接待處。123Please respect copyright.PENANAu2u4xzmFEc
123Please respect copyright.PENANAWQzZzD7323
走廊交會處,不時有身穿深綠色長袍的治療師穿梭,接待處由三名員工駐守,他們一概穿著淡藍色的制服,協助巫師與女巫辦理登記。123Please respect copyright.PENANAtKFPyqgeAY
123Please respect copyright.PENANAp9qHD7tXBv
其中一名醫療接待員看見麥教授後,立刻朝他們走來。123Please respect copyright.PENANAOORVrcOgsY
123Please respect copyright.PENANAup2yiNmpdN
他是位面色和藹的男人,胸前繡有小小的聖蒙果醫院徽章,懷裡挾著一塊登記板。123Please respect copyright.PENANAMpACphpRtf
123Please respect copyright.PENANAexPV73uBHp
「您好,麥教授,我是麥瑞,魔咒傷害科的照護師,負責照顧艾萊妮.柯林斯小姐,今天包含您,一共十三名訪客對吧?」123Please respect copyright.PENANAeIRCYgStRq
123Please respect copyright.PENANAzJRCW97brk
麥教授搖頭:「臨時多了一個孩子,這樣方便嗎?」123Please respect copyright.PENANA2f0Pv491x1
123Please respect copyright.PENANAoXVUBUHWtn
麥瑞點頭,在登記板上畫下一筆。123Please respect copyright.PENANAig1Z9a6XAY
123Please respect copyright.PENANAfS8GRZ3p39
「那就是十四位,沒有問題。」他轉向一眾學生,宣布道:「請大家保持秩序,院內禁止施放煙火與擅自使用魔法,違者將通知家長並處以罰金。待會上去五樓,請直接進入柯林斯小姐的病房,切勿至他處逗留。」123Please respect copyright.PENANAzbGvUqlkQf
123Please respect copyright.PENANAAdDcR7MEV9
說完,他引導所有人排隊,用魔杖逐一輕點他們胸口的衣料,一只淡藍色標誌浮現,上頭寫著不大不小的「訪客」字樣。123Please respect copyright.PENANAQHUoaoMgJM
123Please respect copyright.PENANAbKdUHaH1Jq
他們兩兩一組登上樓梯,一路向上,克萊拉瞥了眼身旁的諾拉——她正是今天的意外之刻,灰色眼睛正閃動興奮的光芒。123Please respect copyright.PENANAhXfI1sEvWU
123Please respect copyright.PENANA1aBnUEf8EO
「謝謝你們讓我來。」諾拉注意到她的視線後,輕聲道謝。「這是我第一次親眼觀察身懷古代咒術的個體,你知道的,這非常稀少。」123Please respect copyright.PENANAPcDHkMUIPV
123Please respect copyright.PENANAaQlgCMqCaN
克萊拉不太自在地應聲,諾拉這話不恰當,後方的安東尼聞言立刻開火:123Please respect copyright.PENANAJjsTNtcCpV
123Please respect copyright.PENANAVgnpV4VAC4
「艾萊妮不是你的實驗對象,也不是娛樂。如果你還分不清人和標本的區別,我們應該來測試一下你的共情能力——前提是你還有眼淚。」123Please respect copyright.PENANA6sj0UEHzjt
123Please respect copyright.PENANA9Az0I3eeY3
諾拉沉默,神情微黯,克萊拉輕輕捏了捏她的手。123Please respect copyright.PENANADP5QGazKZz
123Please respect copyright.PENANADRmJ6hKnGg
樓梯上方,隊伍前頭傳來梅森.尼揚迦的大咧咧的嗓門,迴盪在樓梯間。他是葛萊芬多二年級的學生,正歡快地說自己準備的禮物一定是艾萊妮最愛的。克萊拉前方,雷文克勞四年級的海柔.丘奇,則拿著改裝後的麻瓜攝影機,四處拍攝。123Please respect copyright.PENANApeimzjgq9P
123Please respect copyright.PENANA79F7uiSKwI
克萊拉聽見西追要梅森安靜些;安琪拉也在上頭,艾萊妮的室友米卡和西貝兒也跟在安琪拉身邊。123Please respect copyright.PENANALOgdKTwFnE
123Please respect copyright.PENANAhsNYysxQNC
克萊拉環視四周,掃過一個個前後同學的面孔,不禁去想:如果其他人曉得了艾萊妮身上的真相,得知她背負的沉重黑暗,是否還會出現在這裡呢?123Please respect copyright.PENANA4DXr4J1uZg
123Please respect copyright.PENANAQvL0osjqzo
穿過不太整齊的樓梯間門口,來到五樓,照護師麥瑞在前方領路,帶他們走向走廊底端,艾萊妮的病房。123Please respect copyright.PENANAyeYGdprFuo
123Please respect copyright.PENANABA2CTV1OqP
這層樓光線分明,除了隱隱瀰漫的藥水味以外,四處還傳出一些奇特的聲響,有魚吐泡泡的咕度聲,還有粗細變幻的野獸嘶鳴。123Please respect copyright.PENANA2OoasYChCu
123Please respect copyright.PENANAK7kkWWAF8V
眾人走進艾萊妮的病房後,照護師揚起乾扁的嗓子:「探視時間一小時,我會在這層樓,有什麼問題直接到樓層櫃檯找我。」123Please respect copyright.PENANAHTM0DlTQfZ
123Please respect copyright.PENANAsmskDUvuZN
他說罷便離去,麥教授也簡單叮囑幾句,關上房門。厚重的門「喀搭」一聲關上。123Please respect copyright.PENANABFNCb74UDh
123Please respect copyright.PENANAeuhoZQIDEA
大家沉默下來,門叩上的聲音迴響著。123Please respect copyright.PENANAkxa98rUvOy
123Please respect copyright.PENANAYU0z9wXecX
單人病房不大,窗邊的艾萊妮靜靜沉睡,雙手交疊於被子上,躺的整整齊齊。123Please respect copyright.PENANAmqdpMckRJz
123Please respect copyright.PENANAscUEfH267E
除了安東尼和克萊拉,其餘人從未見過臥床不起的她。西追站在病床尾端,緊握雙拳,目光死死盯著她那張狀似安穩的面龐。123Please respect copyright.PENANAdtBhZiAdNb
123Please respect copyright.PENANAtSyR91Ulvp
安琪拉、米卡和西貝兒湧到她床邊,輕握她的手,低聲對她說話,話音交錯又交疊。不一會兒,其他的人也全湊了過去,圍著病床。123Please respect copyright.PENANAkgUaPS4exC
123Please respect copyright.PENANAgqRjH35A7F
這景象,恍如一圈插在蛋糕上的生日蠟燭。蓋著米色棉被的艾萊妮是蛋糕中央的名牌,周遭湧動的人頭則是搖曳的燭火,詭然而靜肅,與其說是生日派對,不如說是場無聲的祭儀。123Please respect copyright.PENANAXVbN6FSrqV
123Please respect copyright.PENANAbdhNQ0VvWZ
為了鬆動氣氛,西追鬆開緊握的拳頭,拍了拍手:「開始準備吧。」123Please respect copyright.PENANA2LgMXPqNVt
123Please respect copyright.PENANADmo5Q5ykvH
大家在狹窄的病房內擠來擠去,不時有人喃喃說著「借過一下」。他們有的從袋裡拿出裝飾氣球,有的將大家的禮物負責排整齊,蛋糕盒蓋被掀開,清新的柑橘香氣緩緩散開。123Please respect copyright.PENANA40xe3CGPKL
123Please respect copyright.PENANAFU6GqS3QI4
病床前空了些,諾拉從病房角落悄悄走過去,擠過幾個人,目光炯炯,直盯艾萊妮紅潤的臉龐。123Please respect copyright.PENANAZYxabrqW5s
123Please respect copyright.PENANA36hxM2CD0b
「真不可思議⋯⋯」她伸手,想碰那看似健康的臉頰——123Please respect copyright.PENANAPBwH4pGswx
123Please respect copyright.PENANAsJY9X7hk0q
「別碰她!」123Please respect copyright.PENANAHIMVnGRmC0
123Please respect copyright.PENANAKgdsnz8UdD
一隻黝黑的手猛地使力,抓住她手腕,諾拉吃痛皺眉。123Please respect copyright.PENANA7vWt0Uq6cG
123Please respect copyright.PENANA7g6naYh2nC
安東尼惡狠狠地瞪她:「別以為我不知道你要幹嘛!」123Please respect copyright.PENANAPTVjFRF3tu
123Please respect copyright.PENANA1vqrucRJH7
克萊拉站在另一角,見這場景,連忙側身竄過手拿攝影機的海柔,卻見西追已經擋到諾拉身前,對安東尼低聲說:「別在她面前吵。」123Please respect copyright.PENANAhuhaFin93E
123Please respect copyright.PENANAXBptmwOwoA
他目光堅定,又比安東尼高半顆頭,這陣子積累的疲累還讓他增添幾分陰沉的氣勢。安東尼與他對峙片刻,最後還是鬆手退開,抱胸站到艾萊妮床頭,雙眸緊盯諾拉,如同守衛一般護在艾萊妮身邊。123Please respect copyright.PENANAivBU4EKMK6
123Please respect copyright.PENANA40XFoUYG6j
諾拉不滿地瞥了他一眼,退至一旁,眼中滿是惋惜。123Please respect copyright.PENANAGIk7SKjxaj
123Please respect copyright.PENANA6EJw0uScyF
西追嘆了口氣,低頭,看見已經擠到他身邊的克萊拉,壓低聲音問:「安東尼是怎麼回事?為什麼一直針對她?」123Please respect copyright.PENANAIGVa4Basgm
123Please respect copyright.PENANANrbabUx3V6
克萊拉遲疑片刻,踮起腳靠近他耳畔:「安東尼他——嗯⋯⋯他的家人被食死徒用黑魔法折磨到去世了——所以我之前有跟諾拉解釋過,她也有理解⋯⋯」123Please respect copyright.PENANAY5421QbB28
123Please respect copyright.PENANAxGJjDn1Ptq
西追睜大眼望向安東尼——那個一向冷靜自持的安東尼.斯威夫特,此刻眼裡的陰鬱太過深沉濃厚。他並非在針對諾拉一人,而是在針對過去那塊揮不去的黑暗。西追的目光不禁轉向艾萊妮,再低頭落回克萊拉臉上,出身於照護中心的這三人,臉上常常帶有一種相似的表情,要彎不彎的眼睛、勾到一半的嘴角,好像笑著,又好像只是撐著——他知道,這場生日會更加必要了。123Please respect copyright.PENANAS4pKBARfPn
123Please respect copyright.PENANA1x8RzZjjDG
「克萊拉。」他傾身喚她。123Please respect copyright.PENANAw9cWCDVoNW
123Please respect copyright.PENANAstqjRP5Suj
克萊拉抬起頭,他對她微笑:「待會好好玩一場吧,你跟安東尼都是。」123Please respect copyright.PENANAtnHIODSi3K
123Please respect copyright.PENANA6283XEkSHD
於是生日會毫無徵兆的開始了。123Please respect copyright.PENANALu15wgRz0z
123Please respect copyright.PENANAuw9WGrseYJ
海柔拿著攝影機,一一拍下眾人祝賀艾萊妮的笑臉,有人一邊搖晃氣球和綵帶,一邊對鏡頭說感謝艾萊妮的話;米卡和西貝兒托著蛋糕揮手;另外有人舉著包裝精美的禮物,一句話講的結結巴巴。123Please respect copyright.PENANA4O4RZHI5zP
123Please respect copyright.PENANAL3qM2XkcLz
共通點:他們全都在強顏歡笑,嘴角僵硬,沒有人能夠真正歡欣。123Please respect copyright.PENANACHPJKgnazp
123Please respect copyright.PENANAvA8eAd9tuV
這是當然的,壽星還躺在床上不醒人事,能真心笑出來的人才有毛病。海柔終於忍不住,咔搭地一聲闔上攝影機蓋子。123Please respect copyright.PENANA3lwOqfR21F
123Please respect copyright.PENANArhXw3B0GI5
「太僵了!這是拍給艾萊妮看的影片耶,這樣根本不能讓她看啊,她看了會自責的!」123Please respect copyright.PENANABCphqmnUZu
123Please respect copyright.PENANAStrAuIrVmP
「對呀!」梅森附和,大聲說:「大家再嗨一點嘛!我們是來幫她慶生的欸!」123Please respect copyright.PENANA44fLb1BASK
123Please respect copyright.PENANA8GF8QwZqt5
海柔指向一旁堆好的禮物:「這次先一個一個拆禮物給她看,大家給點反應好嗎?大聲笑出來!」123Please respect copyright.PENANAEYqaC4UQkG
123Please respect copyright.PENANA96YGUJEYvJ
她與梅森的喊召起了作用,安琪拉率先走到堆著禮物的桌上,挑出自己那份,對鏡頭露出燦爛的笑容:「生日快樂,我和哥哥討論了,決定送你這個——」她打開盒子,是個有貓咪刺繡的布製小枕頭,深藍色天鵝絨材質摸起來舒服極了。123Please respect copyright.PENANAQcbTxtRI46
123Please respect copyright.PENANArqNb05f5cE
「下次你抱著它,大家就知道你要睡覺了。」123Please respect copyright.PENANAYgJ3r1EaMb
123Please respect copyright.PENANAK9ghQH7jQX
有人輕笑,還有人悄聲說:「我每次都看到她在奇怪的地方睡覺耶。」另一人笑著接話:「對,餐廳的椅子上,還有樓梯間之類的。」123Please respect copyright.PENANAD3klnbXhip
123Please respect copyright.PENANAEsz4NhQtov
許多人紛紛點頭,開始有人分享自己還在哪裡目擊過呼呼大睡的艾萊妮,海柔滿意的很,一邊拍下逐漸熱絡起來的眾人,一邊指揮下一個人去拿禮物。123Please respect copyright.PENANAzuoAFHE2Qx
123Please respect copyright.PENANAeZl2a9aYYH
輪到米卡時,她把一罐包裝閃亮的護髮油堵到鏡頭前,眨眼道:「用這個盡情去攎獲這些臭男生的心吧!超想你的!快點醒來啊!」123Please respect copyright.PENANAxWExPcKi2U
123Please respect copyright.PENANAlnTWg6vf7i
接著是西貝兒。她捧著一個紅皮的萬用收納袋,靦腆開口,還沒說完,米卡就擠過來:「差點忘記說!生日快樂!」123Please respect copyright.PENANACsxW1skF6W
123Please respect copyright.PENANAB1OLasoOZs
「嘿!我還在說話!」西貝兒用手臂推開她,「生日快樂艾萊妮,我們真的很想你——」123Please respect copyright.PENANAP7XpK3Bk8s
123Please respect copyright.PENANAwzL5WdlXv0
克萊拉和安東尼分別送了一瓶自製的除痘霜和一本日記本。123Please respect copyright.PENANArQy9h7gdLS
123Please respect copyright.PENANAkfakP9SQzL
海柔望著那本棕皮日記本,給出一個無情的評價,「這也太普通了吧?」隨即轉頭高喊:「西追西追——換你了,做個示範,讓斯威夫特瞧瞧你的厲害!」123Please respect copyright.PENANAXzptbNuiQo
123Please respect copyright.PENANARoaeRRg3pw
西追站在病床旁,聽海柔這樣說,臉頰稍稍泛紅,從外套口袋掏出一只小盒,猶豫地望向鏡頭,手指在盒上來回摩娑。123Please respect copyright.PENANASqEUHl0dMb
123Please respect copyright.PENANAfYLmpGEyYP
「呃——我比較想私下給她——一定要拍嗎?」123Please respect copyright.PENANAn3JcUo0JgN
123Please respect copyright.PENANAuEBD0cn0le
「快點啦!」123Please respect copyright.PENANAPb7Vkx5IHr
123Please respect copyright.PENANAL5bxUD8tvx
他窘迫地搔了搔額頭,打開盒子,一條雅致精巧的手鍊躺在黑布之上,藍色的小珠子與金色的迷你珠子間隔成串,中央掛有一只木雕小貓。123Please respect copyright.PENANAyor6WBkSYj
123Please respect copyright.PENANAwwLM2rpsEK
「艾萊妮——呃嗯⋯⋯生日快樂,這個是我自己做的,希望你喜歡——」他對鏡頭說完後,望向病床上的她。123Please respect copyright.PENANASKcgM6hWH6
123Please respect copyright.PENANAgOADTmyad5
海柔笑著小聲歡呼,迅速將鏡頭對準安東尼,「看到沒,這才叫誠意!」123Please respect copyright.PENANAPxVnQUUWtb
123Please respect copyright.PENANAof7aj7xwJs
安東尼哼了一聲,低聲反駁:「那是你們不知道她多愛寫日記⋯⋯」123Please respect copyright.PENANApnrR09agLF
123Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7dHmf2n08
十三人終於輪到最後一位,梅森興奮地舉起一個扁扁的小包裝袋,對著鏡頭揮手:「艾萊妮!壓軸是我,我的姓尼揚迦在我們族裡是『王』的意思喔,所以——豋豋豋豋——本王子跟我媽媽和奶奶一起做了這個——」123Please respect copyright.PENANAP2gknDrpP9
123Please respect copyright.PENANAYkOjwQCykk
他從袋中取出一條精緻的線編頭繩,將臉堵在鏡頭前,一臉得意。123Please respect copyright.PENANAmo7w93heZz
123Please respect copyright.PENANAPPYcLzcyw3
「你不是喜歡聽我說族裡的故事嗎?媽媽說,這個生日時要戴在頭上,是我們姆巴提人獨門的魔法,只能給女生用!」123Please respect copyright.PENANAhLcePE21K6
123Please respect copyright.PENANA9P9OePs0ZV
他說著,便粗魯地將頭繩放到艾萊妮頭上,細小的水滴墜飾垂在她額前,裏頭裝著金色的霧,一接觸到她皮膚,水滴石驟然發光。123Please respect copyright.PENANAxkj49XjobV
123Please respect copyright.PENANAAMWDBEixvM
退到角落的諾拉猛地一動,眼神驚慌地大喊:「拿下來!」她推擠著人群,急迫地鑽過在床邊圍成一圈的同學們,直撲向艾萊妮。123Please respect copyright.PENANAGyoYBwxXCl
123Please respect copyright.PENANAt7u6Gz93a3
還沒有人反應過來,諾拉已經取下頭繩,果斷又俐落,順道將旁邊的梅森往後拉。123Please respect copyright.PENANAlJ25TBX7WS
123Please respect copyright.PENANAAV2Jz61Lx0
但來不及了。123Please respect copyright.PENANAdCSUw2fCwc
123Please respect copyright.PENANAUFaFqjzYaC
所有人怔住,目瞪口呆望向艾萊妮的身體。123Please respect copyright.PENANARPFERxQ9B7
123Please respect copyright.PENANAsEJolt3Sbc
紫黑色的蛛網裂痕,如火燒紙邊,迅速從她脖頸蔓延至臉部,金色光芒沿著裂痕洩漏,像光由裡而外撕裂。下一秒,她瘋狂顫抖,四肢抽搐,病床嘎吱作響——像有什麼,要從她體內破殼而出。123Please respect copyright.PENANA4RDHg4wmpa
123Please respect copyright.PENANALCswzE91Wl
顫抖一停歇,她猛地坐起,睜開眼。123Please respect copyright.PENANAZYzTSBfmy5
123Please respect copyright.PENANASi5wah9Cbi
藍色瞳孔佔據整片眼眶,沒有眼白,只有深邃怪詭的蔚藍。123Please respect copyright.PENANAo8mlOWTJTW
123Please respect copyright.PENANATlVEEp7gx5
她開口,聲音鼓動在所有人的耳膜,附著難耐的嗡鳴:123Please respect copyright.PENANAJtV9x1rM0u
123Please respect copyright.PENANA0siT0etIr2
「ἐγὼ τῇ ψυχῇ σὲ καταπιέζω τὸ σκότος. ποῦ εἰμί;」123Please respect copyright.PENANAysKzeRXgZ0
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(吾以魂抑爾之黯,答覆。吾身處何地?)123Please respect copyright.PENANAve2pmwTxct
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這分明是艾萊妮的聲線,卻染著不屬於她的森冷與可怖。每個音節咚——咚——咚——咚地,盪至每個人腦裡,震顫他們的心臟,是一道不容抗拒的命令,卻無人聽的懂。123Please respect copyright.PENANAlYHR5NsrqY
123Please respect copyright.PENANAAQhc5TctfF
「艾萊妮?」西追難受地摀住耳朵,向她伸手,想要碰她的肩。123Please respect copyright.PENANAfP9LcYXcm9
123Please respect copyright.PENANA25ZJYA7jgZ
他的手微顫著,就要碰到她——那副身軀突然再度劇烈顫抖。123Please respect copyright.PENANA7npmA0NKYi
123Please respect copyright.PENANAHt59WH2owT
她繼續說話,這次沒有那種撼動靈魂的力量,只餘下異樣的冷靜,是一種非人的語調:123Please respect copyright.PENANAg6jXaj3CnO
123Please respect copyright.PENANAIlcFL9OpG8
「女孩,至衡崩解,還歸尚須時日。」123Please respect copyright.PENANA4VJi9AeqDE
123Please respect copyright.PENANAaVTpZLM0c1
語畢,她緊閉上眼,身體向後一倒,床鋪砰地發出沉重聲響。123Please respect copyright.PENANAeCdpftHiy0
123Please respect copyright.PENANA80b5Olmyri
這次她說的是英文,他們應該要聽懂的。123Please respect copyright.PENANA4ywsg9neGT
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青蒼的話:
幫大家複習一下梅森.尼揚迦和海柔.丘奇是誰~123Please respect copyright.PENANA5caSFgTB4t
他們出現在24-2中段,安琪拉對克萊拉說的話當中:123Please respect copyright.PENANAY0tlGKRAoq
「梅森他,去年剛入學的時候,才剛從剛果移民過來,講話有很重的口音,很害怕被人嘲笑,一直很難融入學校,他一個人在練習發音的時候被艾萊妮發現,艾萊妮一個音節一個音節陪他練習,他說某一天他突然發現自己早就不害怕跟大家說話了。」123Please respect copyright.PENANAeDusviB5BZ
「然後是海柔,比我們高一年級的雷文克勞,她被室友誤會排擠,艾萊妮在學校裡亂轉的時候碰到哭得很傷心的她,海柔說後來艾萊妮不知道做了什麼,室友來和她道歉,她很受傷,很不想繼續跟室友住,結果她下一學期被莫名其妙換了間房,去問了孚利維教授才知道是艾萊妮——她偷偷去幫她申請換寢室。」123Please respect copyright.PENANAM7dpYeiZxx