夕陽。攤販的叫賣聲。燒烤過後殘餘的木炭香味。406Please respect copyright.PENANAaMXsYcFqXx
406Please respect copyright.PENANAx52kQGsEaW
小敏從藤椅上驚醒。映入眼簾的是即將晚霞的橘紅沉澱在遠處的山巒邊緣,形成夕陽餘暉與夜晚的美麗漸層。406Please respect copyright.PENANAajfsq6pMSI
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又是這裡。這裡是青葉蔬果店的二樓,也是頂樓。406Please respect copyright.PENANAor1dL8f37S
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又是一黑一白二個少年……406Please respect copyright.PENANAV1HM4dCyMr
406Please respect copyright.PENANAmGI36OxU1R
嗯?小敏揚起頭,一隻純白如煙的小鳥飛進視野。牠發出悅耳的啼叫,叫聲彷彿來自四面八方,無法確定是否從那嬌小的身軀傳來……尤其,當小鳥的存在若隱若現到好似牠只是一縷輕煙,無法確定是否為幻覺時。相對地,那隻待在餐桌旁,黑到發亮的狗就「實心」多了。牠腳踏實地的踩在地板上,尾巴可愛的搖啊搖,等著眼前的碗被飼料填滿。牆上那幅黑色畫作好似活著似的,凹凸不平的顏料乍看之下竟微微起伏。406Please respect copyright.PENANAuDN37Jzr0R
406Please respect copyright.PENANAZjTJoJnuES
「喔,醒了啊?餓了吧?一起吃飯吧?」黑色少年身穿荷葉邊圍裙,一手拿鍋一手拿鏟,一副賢慧小媳婦的模樣。406Please respect copyright.PENANAQrjz0B4tGI
406Please respect copyright.PENANABPP0DAoZEc
他「叩叩叩」地將鍋中殘餘的炒飯倒入桌上的大盤子裡,那裡面已經有一座醬油色的炒飯山。大豆醬油的香氣撲鼻。小敏訝異的發現自己居然感到飢餓。畢竟這個年齡的青少年在同儕相處上出問題,大概就跟天塌下來沒兩樣。上一次感到飢餓似乎已經是一萬年前的事。小敏已經好一陣子沒有好好吃一頓飯……不管往生後到底需不需要進食,她現在很餓。非常、非常餓。406Please respect copyright.PENANAoMe9OH3uhc
406Please respect copyright.PENANALYK5OIjgHV
異常的飢餓感令她瞬間拋棄前嫌,像一具行屍走肉般飄到餐桌邊。白色少年已經就座,手中是閱讀到一半的翻譯文庫本,白色小鳥飛過小敏身邊,落在他異常潔白的髮梢。白色少年的目光從一開始就沒有眷顧過她,而她眼中只有食物。在餐桌上的是冒著熱氣、份量超大的中式熱炒,炒高麗菜、紅燒煎豆腐、蘿蔔排骨湯以及充當甜點的飯後水果——切成星星形狀的楊桃一大盤。406Please respect copyright.PENANANY7Gvtama3
406Please respect copyright.PENANArSoRFArO1R
黑色少年脫下圍裙後坐到白色少年對面。406Please respect copyright.PENANAqe3JNc6W96
406Please respect copyright.PENANARBi7Wt9bjK
「坐啊。」黑色少年對她露出開朗的微笑。406Please respect copyright.PENANAXpFdJeSoFr
406Please respect copyright.PENANA6r6CZTQzwn
小敏像失了魂,拉開餐桌椅之後根本是跌坐入席。406Please respect copyright.PENANAbryX8j1HtS
406Please respect copyright.PENANAgEWRgu0qYc
眼前的陶瓷空碗盤擦拭得晶亮。坐在飯桌邊的黑色大狗幾乎與她一樣高,牠吐著舌頭喘息,狀似非常開心終於要開飯了。一轉頭,小敏發現自己的碗盤中已經盛好一人份的飯菜,碗裡也裝好了湯料各半的熱湯。406Please respect copyright.PENANAh1kFolpo1d
406Please respect copyright.PENANAu5wihyNsOA
這是什麼時候……?她心裡感到奇怪。然而,比起詭異的現況,滿溢的香氣使小敏一瞬間將疑惑全都拋諸腦後。406Please respect copyright.PENANABv4myG79EQ
406Please respect copyright.PENANA0A9SxoLGxJ
「怎麼了?開動吧。」白色少年語調平淡如雲。頭頂的小鳥打著盹。406Please respect copyright.PENANAUo2wtE8NYC
406Please respect copyright.PENANA2It9TwFaLr
小敏搖搖頭,又點點頭。用顫抖的手舉起餐具。406Please respect copyright.PENANAdTVtWCCY0E
406Please respect copyright.PENANApFgzxBVvWz
嚥下第一口碗裡清澄而濃郁的大骨湯後,如入無人之境一般,她開始大啖眼前的美食。品嘗醬油炒飯的鹹香、高麗菜的鮮甜與煎豆腐的酥脆,小敏眼泛紅光,著了魔似的,一動筷子就停不下來,湯也是一碗接著一碗……好像同桌的異性都不存在一樣吃下整整十幾人份的飯菜。406Please respect copyright.PENANA6255fG3IyL
406Please respect copyright.PENANAgvQ6h55pde
只有兩位少年知道,小敏在進食期間換了無數張女人的臉。這些人就像是貪得無厭的乞丐,激烈的索取眼前的熱量與美味。祂們將食物塞進嘴裡大嚼,最後毫無形象的變成了餓死鬼,用手抓了就吃,湯也整鍋舉起往胃裡灌。406Please respect copyright.PENANAEBDHBnEcqN
406Please respect copyright.PENANA2Jn9cIDeRE
「吃慢點、慢點……我的老天吶,看來我的廚藝有進步啊!」黑色少年看著蓋住少女整張臉的鍋底。406Please respect copyright.PENANAixAlV6jwsZ
406Please respect copyright.PENANAOB9SMJPJx5
白色少年抱著雙臂,直接翻了個白眼。406Please respect copyright.PENANAqYltMhfDjQ
406Please respect copyright.PENANADeT45SdkgR
他們倆人從頭到尾都沒有「一起」吃飯。這一餐其實是為了小敏而準備的。食物中附著著萬事屋的二人所加持的符,像是一種控制惡靈的令旗,更像是鎮定怨懟的咒語。406Please respect copyright.PENANAFIZALYUlc7
406Please respect copyright.PENANApIXUtu5vxh
萬事屋不喜歡向人宣戰,即便是奪取人命的詛咒意念,根本上也是走不出痛苦與憤恨的受害者,就連尋求解脫都做不到。406Please respect copyright.PENANAHQ4U2HQfI0
406Please respect copyright.PENANAVcaRBIUQ2K
少女終於放下見底的鍋子。喘著粗氣,雙眼依然是戾氣爆棚的血紅。406Please respect copyright.PENANAg0H4wu0Ipv
406Please respect copyright.PENANAWuhvjwOlbY
「小敏。」白色少年輕聲呼喚。總算讓紅寶石般的清澈視線降落在少女慘不忍睹的骯髒臉頰。406Please respect copyright.PENANABjoIthAoCX
406Please respect copyright.PENANA3PmzLte65B
彷彿身在鐘塔內直接聽見震耳欲聾的鐘聲,小敏瞬間恢復意識。406Please respect copyright.PENANAOovu4TvJw7
406Please respect copyright.PENANAxRQoIZY9NO
「咦?」剛剛是怎麼回事?她一時反應不過來。唇邊的菜汁痕跡被緩緩吸入口中,但她本人毫無知覺,彷彿是體內的什麼已經回到內裡,順道將想要的東西一滴不剩的帶走。406Please respect copyright.PENANAGODQUzhpPP
406Please respect copyright.PENANAkaS377cwAb
「小敏,將手中緊握的東西給我吧!」白色少年伸出手掌,以不容拒絕的低沉嗓音說道。406Please respect copyright.PENANAFxp8pa6qSh
406Please respect copyright.PENANAc3XUqgEwD8
什麼……?小敏納悶,在白色少年的注視之下低下頭。這才發現自己不知何時緊緊握著那條應該早就丟棄的麻繩。406Please respect copyright.PENANAr52L4M6QIe
406Please respect copyright.PENANAqtXToJcM1l
「小敏,妳已經死了。要是不鬆開手,會被那東西吃掉。這樣一來,就無法好好的去到另一個世界了。」406Please respect copyright.PENANAc2yFJyF7RV
406Please respect copyright.PENANAjXHbTKDIzN
「但是……但是我還……我到底發生了什麼事?為什麼忽然就死了?我還那麼年輕……也沒有發生什麼意外啊!我……」小敏泫然欲泣,悔恨與困窘填滿了鼻腔,酸澀的觸感令她蹙起眉心。406Please respect copyright.PENANA7HJmXAFtqc
406Please respect copyright.PENANA7kWZTmTEiX
「是那個東西害死了妳。」白色少年說,「那條繩子裡憑依著數不清的古老靈魂。祂們是在生前有所執著,因而含冤吊死的女子。你們在因緣際會之下撿到了一部分,另一部分我們已經讓心犬拿來了。」406Please respect copyright.PENANAg54qxZigT9
406Please respect copyright.PENANAsR5tj0ZJt0
小敏順著他的目光看向身邊的巨犬。而在巨犬前方的碗裡,是一截跟小敏持有的麻繩一模一樣的破爛繩子。406Please respect copyright.PENANA3tkX6VJ9a0
406Please respect copyright.PENANAZcHctoV7qB
「那一段繩子綁在已經生長到三層樓高的粗壯樹枝上。或許是年代久遠,導致繩子斷裂,掉落地面。上面的怨恨已經隨著時間壯大,只要有人接近或碰觸,就會受到詛咒。」406Please respect copyright.PENANAwYZlP40jeT
406Please respect copyright.PENANA3baQwoqcKp
小敏就是這樣在不知不覺間懸樑自盡。406Please respect copyright.PENANAG272a3VyRh
406Please respect copyright.PENANAWB3k1F2DXU
由於是在不知情的狀態下受到怨靈控制,不符合世俗所說的自殺。不知自己已死而留在原地的魂魄,也只是每晚從床上摔下,並未承受所有自殺生靈都必須承受的,重複死亡的苦痛。406Please respect copyright.PENANAtTIcp2Y9hZ
406Please respect copyright.PENANA9FVLyWhxQc
會看到家裡出現黑影,或許是家人在奔喪期間頻繁出入住宅吧!因為已經身在不同的世界,因此看不清雙親的身影。這也表示在她的潛意識裡,長期外出的父母身影已經模糊不已。406Please respect copyright.PENANArzJFa1aBz7
406Please respect copyright.PENANA4HXCLVQgZx
小敏腦中浮現穿著深色素衣的雙親忍著憂傷,一邊舉行哀悼儀式的景象,不禁濕了眼眶。她的雙眼變成了如墨的漆黑,像是臉上掛著兩個無底的窟窿,血淚奪眶而出,在毫無血色的臉頰上畫出一痕痕欲絕的悲痛。406Please respect copyright.PENANA1RxCXXF1xD
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「我不要……我不甘心……我不甘心哪……我……」406Please respect copyright.PENANAi775YCyWpX
406Please respect copyright.PENANA7QXqGoKvsP
「小敏,不可以。」406Please respect copyright.PENANA5TOVdJAgb6
406Please respect copyright.PENANAQPokIfIUJ6
白色少年一瞬間捧住少女哭濕的雙頰,讓她直直望進他彷彿柔和紅寶石的雙眼。少年離她很近,近到可以看清彷彿潔白羽翼的濃密睫毛。406Please respect copyright.PENANAkmmCJXU37f
406Please respect copyright.PENANAt182ze68Oh
小敏蒼白的臉頰竟然泛起兩朵緋紅。406Please respect copyright.PENANAzWvWdRODQA
406Please respect copyright.PENANAmHweNFA9qI
「放下吧!無論如何,這個世界的一切妳已經無法插手。妳所受的傷也都過去了。妳必須讓它過去。必須遺忘,才能真的自由。小敏,一切都不是妳我能夠掌控的。要是有了執著,妳就會跟麻繩裡的怨靈一樣成為詛咒的食糧。把繩子給我吧!一切都會好起來的。」406Please respect copyright.PENANA3RkZVJdCVT
406Please respect copyright.PENANAbnp4vAypDk
小敏低頭望向髒兮兮的麻繩,心亂如麻。過了半晌,緩緩遞出。406Please respect copyright.PENANA6ebXIGDlcV
406Please respect copyright.PENANAmAnqOtGlEk
「謝謝。」白色少年接下繩索。406Please respect copyright.PENANAEbhKK6qPSP
406Please respect copyright.PENANAgcEZ01dFHQ
四周旋即開始冒出跟剛才一樣的熱辣焚風。小敏看著麻繩為焚風纏繞而漂浮在少年掌心上。原先安坐一旁的心犬啣起碗中的麻繩,隨後縱身一跳,張開血盆大口咬住拋向半空的繩索,將一分為二的兩段麻繩一同吞入胃袋之中。406Please respect copyright.PENANAUPv7OE5dmU
406Please respect copyright.PENANAbz3WjUWCGC
她頓時感到一陣哀傷。強烈地,彷彿失去一切一般絕望。406Please respect copyright.PENANAMk40riNvdb
406Please respect copyright.PENANAy0g5h4gDrE
小敏大哭出聲,毫無保留地將滿溢而出的悲傷化作淒厲的哭喊。406Please respect copyright.PENANAtCPTYCmWB2
406Please respect copyright.PENANAKF8vAnnGHR
她看到了一個年紀輕輕就成為寡婦的女子,在以為自己觸及了幸福之時,卻發現一直深深相信的男人其實是有婦之夫。她看到了另一個女人原本擁有家庭,卻在一夕之間失去了所有,變得瘋癲、怨天尤人。她還看到了一個少女,臉上天生的胎記導致她遭到全村怨恨,就連破破爛爛的家都被焚毀,全家人無家可歸……406Please respect copyright.PENANAWCiynxFV2W
406Please respect copyright.PENANA49DxAWPq0e
那些女人,那些際遇,那些人生……彷彿都經歷了一輪,深深地刺痛著成為最後一名被詛咒者的小敏。連同她自己,也一起變成悲慘的結局。406Please respect copyright.PENANA6vfyaUI50y
406Please respect copyright.PENANAnxURSzVEse
「欠妳的,底下的會自己看著辦吶!」黑色少年摸摸小敏凌亂的髮絲,雖然不知為何也稀哩嘩啦地流著眼淚,卻露出與氣氛完全不搭的開朗笑靨。406Please respect copyright.PENANAc5VQy76tmh
406Please respect copyright.PENANArNkAuVlCfv
「不用自己去討,真是太好了對吧!」406Please respect copyright.PENANAgszHHZiUkZ
406Please respect copyright.PENANAw7SFop6Ol1
不,才不對……小敏悽慘的抽泣著。406Please respect copyright.PENANAA0oxFZcKlM
406Please respect copyright.PENANAZOtoVKHdCG
「……才不對啦!人家在哭的時候不要笑的那麼陽光!」她哭笑不得,恨不得一巴掌打在那張可愛笑臉的正中央。406Please respect copyright.PENANAstPXxxLjnz
406Please respect copyright.PENANAnaYMzgbZUk
不過……她曾經最喜歡的那兩人,一定會懷抱著複雜的心情活下去吧?無論多久,都一定不會忘記。她會以各種形式活在他們的記憶裡,甚至埋藏心底。406Please respect copyright.PENANAjuUhHmh0ii
406Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZvpaYDFqq
活者的人總是更辛苦……因此小敏放開了手。406Please respect copyright.PENANA9EIc7uaSGG
406Please respect copyright.PENANANYmWGBqrR2
幾乎撕裂靈魂的苦楚隨著從眼中落下的晶瑩淚珠,化為點綴夜空的星辰,魚貫飄向黑雲飄散的清澈天空。406Please respect copyright.PENANA9qZhOuqTUu
406Please respect copyright.PENANAz5JvH5jziE