約略是三年前，正值櫻花爛漫季節，一位蒙紗的少婦帶著一籃藥箱來到這座不起眼的山谷小村裡行醫。以一飯一宿作為求治的代價，倒也令人覺得親切同情。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V0pRFLlI9
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjmS9iSTUg
雖然在這村落沒什麼特殊罕見的疾症，但無論是怎樣難易的病痛卻在她的治療下一一痊癒，即使是不大不小但總無法根除的常疾，也乖順地逐漸消跡。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOyu0WHeHC
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTKTTuRLAv
對村民來說，她定是位偉大的巫女，也只有侍奉神祇的巫女與神官才能趨除病痛。所以儘管沒有人見過她真正的面貌，也沒有人知道她是從何而來為何而來，都視作侍奉神之人而理所當然地接受。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfHyzZ43YB
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbUtOQeoPQ
行醫後不久，少婦拿出了精美珍貴的布料贈與村民，請他們在山上為她搭建居所。連貴族也罕見的布疋與樣式奇特的屋落，儘管惹人驚異卻也視應當然。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdBxTG8HzP
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6CUi6Inc7
村民們敬重地諱稱她一聲『夫人』。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GpxUTKUwm
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSj3Kf0VTu
少婦總是罩上一層薄紗遮掩面容，其中原由則是村民們好奇而不敢探究的問題。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzafhkd7ILU
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14nb90CeOt
但就與供奉侍神之人一樣，樸實的村民對這位夫人一直滿懷著敬意與感恩。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1fstZAEDh
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeADi9Qc9j3
※※※※※557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNVocKVQGO
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD8B8kjZsI
如日常事例，少婦背著藥箱步步走下山谷為村民診病。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU70eYyVWu
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJmj2XEHyw
剛開始時，像這樣走在崎嶇的山路小徑，每隔片刻便因體力不足而停佇休息，而隨著路程加長，行進的速度愈加遲緩，在走到山谷時往往需費上半個白天的時間。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvnauv5SvL
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhJFyWEkiw
然而日復一日地走下來，很快地便適應了山路的跛斜，雙腳踩地的踏穩與敏捷也讓自己意識到原本是如何嬌生慣養。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TT0Reucnu
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw4toarzY4
經過一時辰的山路，脫出林葉蔭蔽，眼前一片低平。山勢成兩方夾圍出一塊橢形的峽地，一道細小的水流在谷地尾端切出，往山谷外的世界延伸。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFBe3JmkeI
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0vCLQQWiX
谷內盡被闢成田地，十數戶茅頂土屋鬆散地聚落在谷內微高之處，少婦走入由田壟蜿蜒至屋落的土徑，幾名在田中收成的農伕見人立即嚷聲問安，接著轉向其他田埂裡的村人遠喝通知少婦的來到。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a9PbGziOO
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXwe8zYYGx
走至舍落中央的寬地時，少婦身週已經圍滿了村人，村婦們有的牽著自家的孩子或是手抱嬰兒前來，每個人開口一聲聲『夫人』地嘈嘈雜雜嚷話著。少婦一面聽他們的閒談日常，一面為需要療治的人一一看診。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SSos0xjqH
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh4Ki6eVP8
在這座村裡不太有什麼難以應付的絕症，最多是風寒腹洩皮膚病，一些被宿疾所纏身的老人家，也只要經過一般藥石與飲膳的調養，便就無所礙窒。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNASnQ0WulS
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVP92iavx1
對這些村民來說，已經足夠靈驗。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzVTTMXOa0
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqeQeXEfL9
除了病痛看診外，村民們也會額外與少婦聊一些村內的近況與自家的種種。少婦只是靜靜地聽著，大多時並沒有搭腔，但村民們卻反而說得更是躍躍有勁。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNa164O9PR
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSjbPtJpyZ
「讓我過去！讓我過去！」一個小女孩費力地推擠開大人們圍成的人牆，然後又再被擠了出去，她不停地高聲尖叫，「讓我過去啦！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvyyQgQLKe
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7aMhWN6IZ
少婦認得那個女孩，名字叫小末。她記得很清楚，那個小女孩的母親是在她來到這個村落前難產而死的。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1NQ41Ytle
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobSZ5xHWqo
少婦往小末的方向跨了一步，人群便散了開來，小末一股腦地從人群中撞出，興奮地抓住少婦的衣袖嚷叫：「夫人！妳快來看！妳快來看！我撿到了很棒的東西哦！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1UHv5Ue1E
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvQQWYGRaB
「小末，妳又要騙人了！」四週的大人們不以為意地取笑，連一旁的小孩子也跟著起哄叫著：「騙人鬼」。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2wJh2kVOm
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JPEqdQspn
「我才沒有騙人！才沒有！」小末回頭大聲罵道，手指仍緊抓著少婦的袖襬。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1OUcpQPJ2
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWkduhxxbe
少婦微低下半身，柔聲問道：「小末，妳撿到了什麼？」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewWNthiKMa
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTepg8Fqi4c
「妳跟我來看就知道了啦！」小末立即拉著少婦的手，作勢就要衝出前去。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w0Y05cMew
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOtlmg0k54
「等一下！小末！」大人們抓起小末手臂，嚴聲訓斥，「不可以對夫人沒禮貌，妳自己把東西帶過來！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSAM6fuDvM
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62G3N2u7Fv
「不行！不行！」小末大叫，「不能給別人看到！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLSU4O9iKv
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrFmVHq47a
「妳又在說謊了！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKZmMCtxI9
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzSEo2s6hw
少婦感到一陣頭痛，只得出聲制止，「別說了。」她蹲下與小末齊高，安撫道：「我晚點再看，好嗎？」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJIJVLYMXq
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhde2X7gCv
小末委屈地皺眉抿嘴，片刻後才點頭勉強同意。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPL26tNlKC
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUg37Cqr90
於是，小末就站在人群外圍靜靜盯著少婦，不時煩燥地走來走去，然後跑開片刻、再又跑了回來。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zy9JGJjoM
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVJIZ33nvw
以前小末常常對著她大嚷：『為什麼不早點來救我母親？』557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrEkt1Xpbr
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoH1iuq7KU
後來大概是被大人責罵的關係吧，小末再也沒有說出那種話，卻開始說起自己看到了母親的亡魂、夢到了母親的亡魂。內容則不外乎是母親預言將降災給哪個會欺負小末的人，要不就是母親得到了神的賜福，會再回到小末身邊云云。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvzisbgJPW
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfG8ZdgRuk
像這樣顯而易見的謊言只招來更多的嘲笑，小末卻更為堅信自己看得見母親的亡魂、甚或是其它死者的鬼魂。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE6iYzTcfh
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZmE2c18AC
後來少婦私底下編了一個故事告訴小末，一個失去父母的小孩向神祈求再見到自己的父母一面，代價是一整年的時間不可開口說話，小孩做到了，因此見到了自己的父母。然而卻因為她太久沒說話的關係，她在現世的親友都遺忘她不認識她了。從那之後，小末就不再說謊，也逐漸不再提起自己母親的事。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWf0IZSv26
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGNUd1tRvz
只是，到現在其他人還是會常常拿過去說謊的事來取笑她，小末雖然生氣，卻也未認真掛在心上計較，或許是年紀尚小的關係。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdIbaNhEXl
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3f3s2AxLh
少婦收拾了藥箱，把村民們贈送的一些莊稼打成小包袱，小末已等不及地纏到她身旁，拉著她就跑，還不時回頭把好管閒事的村民或其他小孩給喝跑。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnvj52hBc0
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsylBH4zA2n
「小末，到底是什麼東西……」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxfEyQXEpQ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FphnmB4WT
小末以指尖壓唇示意，然後壓低聲音：「不能說不能說，妳看了就知道了！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68SOdlSDt8
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6kGriMzgV
結果，小末把她帶到了小溪的磯岸上，一群大小不一的石塊疊出傾陡的矮壁裡，有許多可以藏物的狹縫。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhkiKBkGnH
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iTB3oEO1A
小末迅速地爬過幾疊邊緣尖銳的大石塊，回頭拼命向少婦招呼：「這裡這裡！趕快來看！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I9aYMPf6m
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaucTVfQcc
少婦謹慎緩慢地越過石塊來到小末身旁，小末深吸一口氣，手按在遮住洞口的一塊扁長石片上，眼中閃爍著興奮的光芒，「我要打開囉…」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaQx0PdtBa
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZetvmGZVMF
石片移開後，少婦低下身看去時，不禁倒抽了一口氣──557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZInB5UdDSA
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYj4CbTGvb
那不是人類嗎？557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf1GQo9Vxo
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl5toXdLEi
…不，那…是人類嗎？……557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGnOjD5r31
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX3Mhli2J7
型體像是巨大的卵，帶著與常人無異的粉肉色，在頂端則像是生出肉芽一般，長著一張女人的臉孔緊閉雙眼，一頭烏黑的長髮從『頭』頂披曳落在卵的四周。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9tK8TFuEV
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs2FAHG8RV
「很漂亮吧！很漂亮吧！」小末高興地對少婦露出欣喜的笑容，「昨天的昨天剛撿到時是蛋，然後長芽，今天長出臉跟頭髮耶！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UkFHz952G
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiYi9pN6Da
少婦只有瞪大著眼，看著小末雀悅地與她分享著自己的秘密。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFx595X9Wo
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW87wbJh0wU
「以後一定會長得愈來愈好看！一定會！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfrV7rfB4O
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJGIkWcfRq
「小末…」少婦乾澀地喚著她的名字，幾不成聲。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr9kEuFixJ
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesrSOu1Wr8
「不過不能告訴我家裡的人喔！也不可以告訴別人！這是…」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS56PUwgGGp
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YIschcl44
「小末！」少婦竭力喚道，「小末…等一下…這種東西……」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTv7bPanWP
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvML4gs2eE
「唔？」小末無辜地眨眨眼，等著少婦說話。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8GF1YH2Wt
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYSsAafptF
「這種東西……」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpxYfJXe1k
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzbyHeA3KK
該怎麼說出口……她確定這顆卵是超脫她所能理解之物，不，也不是十分地陌生，因為……557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpcKRGU6zh
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIcHS1cyvz
因為，這應該是已經脫離凡俗的物體……557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIrP5HW30F
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4goU8csAya
……過去的記憶像是突發的山洪沖盡意識……557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla3Z5MbKeH
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BiSWJ2il5
為什麼？自己明明不再是過去的那個人了，為什麼還會看到這種東西？557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4C2ldGmIN
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HW1ZmJ1no
「夫人！夫人！」小末急切地拉晃著她的袖口，「夫人妳知道這是什麼動物對不對？告訴我告訴我！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpfRdVoG0k
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa4Re1Vcep
「這…這個…是……」少婦恍惚地低聲囁嚅，意識無法控制地恍惚飄遊，眼前的小女孩也似是恍惚的景象。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQKjXdvGi2
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy5asMGMhs
心口，只剩底下的心臟是確實而嚇人地搏動著。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM90JKPwzzD
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8jCzGPpFR
她伸吸口氣，強迫自己假造出可以冷靜面對現狀的思緒來，「總之，先讓我確認一下，這種東西…說不定有危險……」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWT6x3LR4C
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT9UE9lr3g
小末不以為意也不放在心上地點頭同意。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITPLV85PVH
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IDPD9u6CG
少婦忍住嫌惡感與恐懼，伸手用掌心覆觸卵的表面，上下輕移……557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMYqLS887p
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVXxINRXpM
觸感與人肉相彷，體溫不冷不熱，甚至隱約可見流動的細小血筋，至於呼息的起迭與脈動……分不清是不是把自己的吁吸錯認為是那個物體的吁吸，手掌中的起伏與顫動像是自己所引發又不像是，明明早已判斷出，錯覺卻層層不絕地湧起……557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3U2ayiLGa
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtfsfZZvEo
指尖移至『她』的鼻尖下想確認氣息時，『她』霍然張明雙眼！557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtdf5EA6HM
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOR5xeMChe
少婦赫然抽回手，醒過來的『她』正盈盈微笑。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZOvVqI4jG
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNr5XVvsPq
小末訝異又驚喜地低歡道：「哇──張開眼睛了！醒過來了！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNwadfDn29
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe59Kp3ZAQx
『她』笑得像是石雕一像生硬，少婦卻直覺得『她』的眼神與表情不停地無聲變動著。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVlBLoSyTn
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb74PYxSJ5C
『她』的眼神冰冷得幾乎可凍結體內的血液流動，似乎自己才是寄宿在某個肉塊裡的莫名異物……557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIOwckBYxw
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoSzT8Pq8U
「我是小末！小末小末小末！」小末很高興地向『她』介紹自己。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ne6H1QExm
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71uw6xXQyb
少婦不禁脫口說出：「……神……」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBH6ARmxTe
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp70pk2lTC
腥紅的血瞳映照出不斷飛逝的無形非人。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95Pt19MjAj
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOhZROzjJd
尖銳的笑聲從四面八方向少婦滾壓，她被當做是漩渦中心地纏繞著宣洩而下，連靈魂也快被沖刷怠盡似地。然後……557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUMjCJ0km3
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJGcspDvc9
就在要屈服這些無止境膨脹的笑意之時，透過薄紗，隱約地看到小女孩快樂地捧著巨卵上的頭顱抱出洞外。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7N9z14Cj8
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bqXFh56R3
臉孔後頭的身體仍留在洞穴內，所以被拉成了柔軟的長條，小末愉快地持續拉著，然後長條的身體兩側對稱地長出無數雙手臂來……557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR8I1uBok5
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98sBCf8ZbO
『她』擺動的靈活的長臂，與小末在地上舞躍著、在天空攀爬著。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoApD2kdsGD
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zVJOBR9ob
『她』臉上的微笑依舊是生硬冰冷，聽不見的笑聲卻極盡尖銳盡宏大地刺擊著少婦……557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ2OHJd4hg
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kYtjkLrkM
當小末幻影似地從眼前離去時，少婦忽然醒了過來，四週景物絲豪未變，除了癱軟在地的自己與傾倒一旁的藥箱。她渾渾顫顫地拾起自己的東西，好不容易才踉蹌地走回村內。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93JDyje4MB
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEE9jhD3tI
回到村子，村民們善意地招呼著，「夫人！您還沒走啊！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5S2HpQqRi
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3Uqm1OwRD
「小末呢？」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLqyFvzEzE
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUP3mHBMeu
「她啊…」村人露出了怪異的表情，「發瘋一樣叫嘯著跑過去了！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFoZLOHrKu
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfWsvUsVV4
「那…她…有帶著什麼東西嗎？」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q4qPLVfRB
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYJC8usNYJ
「啊？」村人搔搔頭，「就那樣一路跑過去啦……」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHhREC4O8G
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3vNtOrYJK
少婦不安地快步行至舍落，只見到小末在寬地上舞蹈般地狂跳著，一旁的村人還不斷吼道「別跳了！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxOwENgfeB
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2YzF9mph8
沒有神。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9l4jCC6eH
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrjkjJQJVl
小末看到少婦，漸漸地停下瘋狂舞跳，喘息笑著。557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOngTLrXPk
557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCGuHzCL61
「不可以告訴別人、不可以說喔！」557Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM4pjEr6nx
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