從前村裡有一個傳說,山林住著一隻兇猛邪惡的野獸,每年都要求村民獻上祭品,不然就將全村剷成平地,所以村裡的人每年都乖乖準備祭品,直至一天,路過的修行僧指示村民,只要在門兩側貼上紅紙便能驅逐該山獸,村民半信半疑的照做,那年山獸真的沒有來,自此家家戶戶都張貼紅紙,村裡太平長安。187Please respect copyright.PENANAdw8h3r0slX
187Please respect copyright.PENANAhelkiZhaYs
幼時,婆婆常在睡前跟我說這個故事,還記得那時候的我聽完,便想那年山獸沒有收到祭品,又不能入村,那麼牠該怎麼辦?窩在山上餓死嗎?187Please respect copyright.PENANAKnU0p9ni4x
187Please respect copyright.PENANAWn34EoIwow
小小的我這樣問了婆婆,婆婆回答我,「那樣可怕的東西,是生是死,沒人在乎」。187Please respect copyright.PENANAUiIXI1dyAi
187Please respect copyright.PENANAvwHhgcIcHk
可憐的山獸,若不是伴在人類旁邊,也不會如此孤單。小小的我這樣想著,漸漸進入夢鄉。187Please respect copyright.PENANA247uw58vbh
187Please respect copyright.PENANACeiMuIjYYT
時至今日,村裡仍保留貼紅紙的習俗,還會掛紅燈籠、紅彩帶,總之就是將整條村弄得紅通通,像是染滿鮮血一樣。187Please respect copyright.PENANArfgArf6y1p
187Please respect copyright.PENANAQeaACoHvH8
我坐在家門前,看著鄰居掛紅色的裝飾,托住腮幫這樣想。187Please respect copyright.PENANAtAQDgpvSRK
187Please respect copyright.PENANABxt5olBXH5
既然山獸討厭紅色,牠又怎會要吃祭品,攻擊村子,因為人類的血是紅色的。187Please respect copyright.PENANA4i4s7QkX6E
187Please respect copyright.PENANAeeTCNhGsgQ
我無聊的胡思亂想,這時,婆婆出來說燒好了水,讓我去洗澡,洗乾淨過好年。187Please respect copyright.PENANA6n1aV4ZXaS
187Please respect copyright.PENANADPVtnKZxP4
我泡在熱水裡,水中還漂著兩片除穢的柚葉,我撥著在水中浮浮沉沉的葉子,突然,聽到窗外有動靜,心裡來氣,想說村裡的屁孩又來偷看,一群色胚子!187Please respect copyright.PENANAG3ZbK8K4rI
187Please respect copyright.PENANAba6rcvG43T
我裹好毛巾,朝窗外大罵,看到的卻不是村裡的屁孩,而是一個沒有見過的男生。雖然是沒有見過的人,但偷看就偷看,活該被罵。187Please respect copyright.PENANAtc8pzXOozN
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我揚聲罵了他一頓,嚇得他直往山裡跑。187Please respect copyright.PENANAq1yjvJ5eSD
187Please respect copyright.PENANAwqGENdBzhP
當天晚上,我心記掛著那個男生,不知他是從哪裡來的,也不知他有沒有好好回家,如果在山裡迷路,會不會被那隻山獸吃掉⋯⋯187Please respect copyright.PENANAiXAqejU48A
187Please respect copyright.PENANArK8xLsjWcM
想著想著,我漸漸睡著⋯⋯187Please respect copyright.PENANA0zW5H4NO0E
187Please respect copyright.PENANAOVqaXIaWhp
在夢境裡,我站在一棵樹下,抬頭看著樹蔭,莫名感到一股平和溫暖,然後,有把聲音突然跟我說話,這聲音像在我耳蝸中作響,帶著迴音。187Please respect copyright.PENANAKxbZlcp1o3
187Please respect copyright.PENANA46hr6vvQhA
他跟我說,人類很自私,是你們為求賜保佑而獻貢祭品,一旦有了平安無憂,就捨去諾言契約,獨自快活,還將他隔絕山上,簡直豈有此理,他想出口悶氣也不行⋯⋯187Please respect copyright.PENANAxNvHrQD1lS
187Please respect copyright.PENANANA2CwQD3Qk
那把聲音嘮叨了整晚,我翌日早上醒來,睡了好像沒睡過一樣。187Please respect copyright.PENANA74yK1LluMJ
187Please respect copyright.PENANAiGTG96r2Ba
連婆婆叫我去許願樹扔寶牒也沒力氣,怎麼也掛不上去。187Please respect copyright.PENANA6p2ehio62t
187Please respect copyright.PENANAokcMz1DiY7
我頹肩坐到一旁休息,仰頭看這許願樹,總覺得這樹跟夢裡那棵樹很像。187Please respect copyright.PENANAYM66ybr9a4
187Please respect copyright.PENANAJG4LGTykZF
我繞住許願樹走了一周,抬頭看著樹蔭,陽光的碎片閃爍其中,讓我不期然瞇起眼睛。187Please respect copyright.PENANAnq8zKhbNfv
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「我才不讓你們願望成真,哼!」187Please respect copyright.PENANARSXPQoTa36
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我看到他坐在樹上,頓時驚訝的瞪大眼睛。187Please respect copyright.PENANA956tCPDmIe
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「偷看犯!」187Please respect copyright.PENANAWc6qHzICo7
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樹上的他回首俯視我,露出厭惡的表情。187Please respect copyright.PENANA086kpa8F4a
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「討厭的人類,誰偷看你啦!」187Please respect copyright.PENANAT9FWmyJmgi
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然後,他就消失了,夢裡出現的聲音也消失了。直到過年後,村裡紅色的裝飾全都卸下,在嬉鬧的孩童中,我似乎隱約見到他的身影,但定眼細看,又不見了。187Please respect copyright.PENANAh1wNAauEce
187Please respect copyright.PENANAUZTQNEdbPh
他,到底是誰?神?還是那隻山獸呢?嘴裡明明說討厭人類,為什麼還留在人類身邊?187Please respect copyright.PENANAFulB5wR5t2