945Please respect copyright.PENANAIlEFCko9uQ
945Please respect copyright.PENANAPtjNyhyB4O
靜露隔天早上就聽說菈瑞兒醒來,她趕緊換了衣服,從食堂摸來幾顆蘋果,去醫療所探望。945Please respect copyright.PENANAJoIKgXHDis
945Please respect copyright.PENANAloxCG2Ahdm
任務的通知,中午的時候下來了。945Please respect copyright.PENANAXPfZhNSGvs
當時靜露正坐在菈瑞兒的病床旁,幫她削蘋果,布羅靠在窗邊磨他的木雕。945Please respect copyright.PENANAN46FoQtYp3
945Please respect copyright.PENANAfTGOYo7wKo
教官並沒有要求靜露與布羅迴避,而是直接把三份一樣的文件遞給他們。945Please respect copyright.PENANAzclOedjFGr
945Please respect copyright.PENANApQXedYC1Hf
任務主要的內容,就像昆斯先生之前預擬的一樣,要將醫療所和探索隊本年度分析的最新資料,護送到新雪梨,並交換有關殭屍病毒異變的情報。945Please respect copyright.PENANAGjcfFW0eqr
若到年底還沒有蒐集到情報,就撤退返回,並報告狀況。945Please respect copyright.PENANAyVvFkrnRdA
除此之外,也要打探摩頓與維塔的背景。945Please respect copyright.PENANA9B9VKplxpJ
945Please respect copyright.PENANABfyoUXZfvD
「先生,」菈瑞兒看向教官說:「我的狀況恐怕無法即刻與他們啟程。」945Please respect copyright.PENANAfa5VMY33uj
945Please respect copyright.PENANA06jPt2m48K
身形高大的教官,在高度不到三米的室內顯得特別有壓迫感,他低頭看著辦躺在床上的菈瑞兒,面容嚴肅的宣布:945Please respect copyright.PENANAmBgr1ufJls
「允許妳復原後再出發與他們會和。」945Please respect copyright.PENANARq8ZjloxSF
945Please respect copyright.PENANAsSoKsHuQP8
「是。」945Please respect copyright.PENANAZgjeYJrBmp
945Please respect copyright.PENANAw1DZFUQsIk
教官離開後,靜露憂心忡忡地看著菈瑞兒,萬萬沒有想到昆斯先生竟連菈瑞兒都點名,菈瑞兒滿臉興味的仔細閱讀任務檔案,布羅則緩緩收拾了木屑與工具,將東西都收到袋子裡,起身準備離開。945Please respect copyright.PENANATSnnpeXAbK
945Please respect copyright.PENANAvLofPJXx0z
「走吧。」他說,「我們得先決定好怎麼到那邊。」945Please respect copyright.PENANAchCwVEZN7j
945Please respect copyright.PENANANAqhHZA7q7
她點點頭,看著布羅靠到病床旁,俯身在菈瑞兒額上吻了下,兩人輕聲互道再見後,他們離開了醫療所。945Please respect copyright.PENANAettV1bf8WI
945Please respect copyright.PENANAprZ4GL6DZc
「啊,對了!」回大屋的路上,靜露突然想到什麼的大叫一聲,「忘記去看崔佛啊!」945Please respect copyright.PENANAQt6HRAwXxl
945Please respect copyright.PENANA3CfPxCRTe3
她急忙要回頭折返,卻被布羅拉住了衣領:945Please respect copyright.PENANAMp4CvA6Kxy
「別麻煩了,」他低沉的嗓音,像是壓抑著什麼,「我們趕時間。」945Please respect copyright.PENANABFWOxY3Zl5
945Please respect copyright.PENANArZb20o0FqG
「只是去看看,跟他說我們年底才回來啊,不會花太多時間的。」945Please respect copyright.PENANACGVJsUWIk1
945Please respect copyright.PENANAzvbbtewQML
他搖搖頭,依然是那句:「別麻煩了。」945Please respect copyright.PENANABiJG59QJWE
然後,聲音略顯沉啞的說:「他被轉到『黑房』了。」945Please respect copyright.PENANAhTvnw0fsEy
945Please respect copyright.PENANAgQPUepBXHa
靜露瞪大眼瞠愣,心下一沉。945Please respect copyright.PENANA8U5DCpqNs9
『黑房』,是隔絕聲音與光線的房間,乍聽之下有點像禁閉室,但她以前曾好奇去偷看過,那讓她想到叔叔相館裡洗照片的房間。945Please respect copyright.PENANAZTX1glmhaR
945Please respect copyright.PENANA56qc61DRXS
以前那個地方被用來監禁感染者--也就是被殭屍病毒入侵後,有高度感染風險的人--觀察員可以從房間高處的窗口開縫察視感染者在裡面的活動,並判斷接下來的處置。945Please respect copyright.PENANAWc1CQFcEVT
裡面的燈光非常幽黯,據說是為了要讓感染者放鬆精神,好提高觀察員判斷的準確度。但從以前到現在,真正從『黑房』走出來的人也沒幾個……945Please respect copyright.PENANA1BPD9sRm8e
945Please respect copyright.PENANAyCuyzKP6hG
崔佛的抗體……八成……945Please respect copyright.PENANArF2TCt5eE6
945Please respect copyright.PENANAu6IZLoOzda
她沒有再費事跟布羅爭論,只跟在那高壯的身影後,回大屋與奈特會合。945Please respect copyright.PENANA4JZ565K3nl
945Please respect copyright.PENANAvegELiDSHf
土瓮城到新雪梨之間,是將近1000公里的距離。945Please respect copyright.PENANAutE6Ayy7uj
945Please respect copyright.PENANAm9qa5kZdMQ
「我們不能開車去。」奈特說。945Please respect copyright.PENANAMQLjDbMb9s
車輛是極重要的資產,他們有可能在那個大都市待到年底,萬一被偷或壞了,那可是得不償失;反倒是他們回程的時候,有機會或許可以買部車回土瓮。945Please respect copyright.PENANAQVHC1SxeIO
945Please respect copyright.PENANAjeNdqqSfqs
「也不可能騎馬。」布羅說。945Please respect copyright.PENANAzi4ZpdYRfm
馬匹雖然不像車引擎的聲音會被殭屍注意,但若被殭屍看到馬背上的人可就糟了。平時,在土瓮城周邊騎馬巡視什麼的,是極安全又簡單的事,但這可是近千里的長征,馬匹體力的消耗,絕對會是他們安危的致命傷。945Please respect copyright.PENANAzOJVoSmHBZ
945Please respect copyright.PENANAW9f8ipx7lm
靜露想起以前在某部知名殭屍片中,看過騎腳踏車平安繞過殭屍群而不被發現的劇情……但她馬上在奈特與布羅看白癡般的眼神下,閉上嘴巴,乖乖聽從他們的結論。945Please respect copyright.PENANAmIOEq54KRs
945Please respect copyright.PENANAR8FI9YQkoL
他們徒步。945Please respect copyright.PENANAnz9G4RfgAI
945Please respect copyright.PENANAShGkdO8ZxN
945Please respect copyright.PENANAYZDwk5fs6K
945Please respect copyright.PENANA5UYo843tjO
945Please respect copyright.PENANAIFg7ATl3BY
945Please respect copyright.PENANApeuL830S3D
全身上下的裝備足足超過十公斤。945Please respect copyright.PENANArpXHotM2TD
在盛夏炎陽的脅迫下,他們只能趁清晨與黃昏的時候,避開舊人類的遺址區域行動。每天有八小時的時間移動,正午與夜晚就到樹上藏匿休息,幸運一點的時候,他們會找到荒野間的荒廢小屋,但他們都擠在閣樓或地下室睡覺,並輪流看守安全。945Please respect copyright.PENANAH5lnLqpl01
今天傍晚,他們在一片荒廢的農場中找到還算堅固的穀倉。945Please respect copyright.PENANA8ci1SXwTeQ
945Please respect copyright.PENANAeVfv3Ranbu
「還滿乾淨的嘛!」靜露撥開掛在門上滿滿的藤蔓,查看裡面的狀況。945Please respect copyright.PENANApGGIlnNpbA
945Please respect copyright.PENANA9iMxOxXnsb
接下來,就是勇者時間了。945Please respect copyright.PENANAcwH1qWgIPj
945Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ksix3rClq
他們確認附近沒有立即性的危險後,馬上將大門關上鎖好,並確認窗戶都被封死後,開始翻箱倒櫃,蒐集任何可利用的東西。945Please respect copyright.PENANAissOLMRh8A
945Please respect copyright.PENANA6xNsqCFGie
「這機器不行了,」布羅翻弄著一件破損頗嚴重的機械。945Please respect copyright.PENANAI209L6op7U
945Please respect copyright.PENANAdgZGVvNyql
「拆光它,把零件帶到那邊去賣。」奈特從箱子裡面拉出一些帆布,他將布抖開,掛起來將透光的窗戶都蓋住。945Please respect copyright.PENANAIx5dUNYnQz
945Please respect copyright.PENANAlAOp7XFdkS
靜露拿竿子戳翻著乾草堆,一群小蜥蜴竄了出來,她面不改色的迅速衝上去抓了兩三隻,裝到袋子裡。945Please respect copyright.PENANA3j88Mpaqqw
「明天早餐可以加菜囉。」她搖一搖袋子,涼涼的說。945Please respect copyright.PENANANY5eWhOkwn
945Please respect copyright.PENANAJMevEkUXGZ
已經打開工具箱,正在拆解值錢的金屬零件的布羅聽了咧開嘴笑,抬頭看靜露,搖搖頭說:「不用等到明天早上。」945Please respect copyright.PENANAWlZN4ZlrXi
945Please respect copyright.PENANAxOJLdY6aUX
「什麼意思?」945Please respect copyright.PENANAvnzVK4sXnF
945Please respect copyright.PENANA7VjswXaqDL
外頭突然傳來轟隆聲響。945Please respect copyright.PENANAGfVWjm37AT
945Please respect copyright.PENANAEYZUHYsSBs
「就是這個意思。」奈特說完,只聽見更大聲的轟轟聲壟罩了整個穀倉。945Please respect copyright.PENANAi91xY2dbVv
945Please respect copyright.PENANAh4jPsMp5sB
下雨了。945Please respect copyright.PENANA5W6cDKePAP
945Please respect copyright.PENANAUpCUjHahA6
靜露傻眼,剛剛他們進來的時候,外面天空還沒什麼雲,只有風比前幾天傍晚大了點,沒想到他們一進來,馬上就下大雨了,還打雷!945Please respect copyright.PENANASRD7bs7rbg
945Please respect copyright.PENANAnqKWTH2gW2
『轟隆--』945Please respect copyright.PENANA5IwrxnrTB7
震耳欲聾的雷聲不斷響起,鐵皮屋頂的穀倉內,更是被滂沱的大雨打得聽不見說話聲。945Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZU5zXsZ7S
這種時候,殭屍大多會聚集在人類舊城附近躲雨,他們待在曠野反而安全;而且這種雷雨之夜,生火也不太會被注意。945Please respect copyright.PENANAaYlG6E0nMr
945Please respect copyright.PENANA5u4dzEykdH
靜露正準備生火時奈特在櫃子裡發現一盒火柴。945Please respect copyright.PENANAZK9YC3MShs
「真方便,」她咕噥著一邊點火,「早知道剛剛就多抓幾隻,好幾天沒吃熱的東西了……」945Please respect copyright.PENANAUb29RJMFEI
945Please respect copyright.PENANASp0QbfzUXo
他們離開土瓮城已經十五天了。945Please respect copyright.PENANArKXdAX8jXu
每天都吃樹上的果實或硬梆梆的乾糧果腹,今天終於能吃肉,沒有什麼比這更幸福的事了--只差沒有鹽巴調味而已。945Please respect copyright.PENANAu4ligc0Pnq
945Please respect copyright.PENANABM5d3DdA2U
布羅靈巧的大手將穀倉內他們翻到大東西全部解體,蒐集到的金屬整整有一大袋;奈特到外頭接了乾淨的雨水進來,將蜥蜴的內臟掏出來洗乾淨,用砂土將血水掩蓋掉後,連皮一起放在火上烤;靜露則顧著火堆,時不時丟個木柴或乾草進去燒。945Please respect copyright.PENANAcghl4hxM4q
945Please respect copyright.PENANAr4IpXKj1CA
已經入夜,雖然滂沱的雷雨持續下著,他們仍訓練有素的將交談的機會降到最低。不一會兒,三串蜥蜴都熟了,他們團團坐下,沉默地咀嚼晚餐。945Please respect copyright.PENANAdz1u2gT2v3
945Please respect copyright.PENANA8raFYEyYNN
撥開皮後,鮮嫩多汁的蜥蜴肉就在裡頭,吃起來跟雞肉有點像,不過沒有調味,所以隱約有點腥味……等她錢存夠了,就跟菈瑞兒他們集資開個餐館吧,只要弄到茶葉什麼的,也可以賣飲料,她搞不好還可以假裝意外發現奶茶,然後再假裝意外發現樹薯粉,再這邊賣珍珠奶茶……唔,如果有錢可以買地,她就養雞,然後賣炸雞排好了……靜露一邊嚼著嘴裡的東西,一邊天馬行空的打如意算盤。945Please respect copyright.PENANAzhhttqBW0p
945Please respect copyright.PENANAvbr6qZWeZe
『喀嚓』一聲異響,她回神,看見奈特不知何時已將十字弩架在手上,瞄準大門的方向。945Please respect copyright.PENANAxYaeAVjRY2
945Please respect copyright.PENANAeYO9EB4dAJ
「???!」發生了什麼事!?她緊張了起來,看向布羅。945Please respect copyright.PENANAhPUVUiYUpm
945Please respect copyright.PENANAGn3AqKKLxD
布羅悄悄起身,用鐵桶將火堆蓋住,整個室內瞬間陷入黑暗。他抓著斧頭,神不知鬼不覺地摸到門邊,對靜露比了個手勢,她馬上會意過來,沿著門框輕巧攀上牆壁,用繩子將自己懸吊在梁上,攤開網子準備就緒;同時,奈特也已經躲到後方的乾草堆裡,將自己埋在裡面。945Please respect copyright.PENANAUaoy56kpak
945Please respect copyright.PENANANLdVFIe141
布羅手抓住門把,輕輕的將穀倉大門拉開,斧頭舉高準備隨時劈下。945Please respect copyright.PENANALPY959HhNo
945Please respect copyright.PENANA5s3YhGx8T5
雷雨滂沱的門外,刺眼的閃電劃過眼前,隨即『轟隆--』一聲震耳欲聾的雷響,靜露頭皮發麻了一下,以為會有一整批的殭屍衝進門來。945Please respect copyright.PENANAoTddYAhOFq
945Please respect copyright.PENANAortoQFnH2f
但沒有殭屍。945Please respect copyright.PENANABeNr4pvj7m
945Please respect copyright.PENANAegpDgnFlv0
「嗨,可以借我躲個雨嗎?我快冷斃了。」945Please respect copyright.PENANARUutDoOcEf
945Please respect copyright.PENANAqao4rz8rFf
雷鬼頭、大鬍子、寬鬆的衣服和破爛爛的牛仔褲。945Please respect copyright.PENANA6wCQURhFiE
大鬍子摩頓咧嘴笑了笑,對著倒吊的靜露揮手,「嗨!需要幫忙嗎?」945Please respect copyright.PENANATRCyGZ6cOC
945Please respect copyright.PENANAUjGms4NwlB
靜露一臉癡呆的搖搖頭。945Please respect copyright.PENANAo737DbBUa3
945Please respect copyright.PENANAS7aZ3Qbh3t
他大喇喇地走進來。945Please respect copyright.PENANAElai7MadJa
「噢不,別告訴我你們把火熄了。」他說著,一臉失望地看著倒扣的鐵桶。945Please respect copyright.PENANAaox7x5DXCY
945Please respect copyright.PENANAVhGAY3JAcl
「這種程度不會熄的。」布羅已經關上門,微笑著走過來將桶子挪開,室內瞬間又重現光明,「你什麼時候跟上來的?」945Please respect copyright.PENANApbRoFNE86m
945Please respect copyright.PENANAI95fmkX5yL
「大概五天前吧。」摩頓動作俐落地將上衣和褲子剝個精光,全身上下只剩內褲的一屁股坐下,「你什麼時候知道的?」945Please respect copyright.PENANAfYeKr1g41l
945Please respect copyright.PENANAg1q3kHVO0P
「差不多時間。」945Please respect copyright.PENANAPIIFmCLhuS
945Please respect copyright.PENANAChwMrZbpd8
摩頓訝異的挑眉,然後不懷好意的取笑:「喲,你比那邊的帥哥還行嘛!」他指指從草堆中爬出來的奈特,「我還以為要等到進新雪梨才會被發現呢。」945Please respect copyright.PENANATjRaFSmtCz
945Please respect copyright.PENANAvosN0q4H2C
奈特對摩頓的挑釁完全沒有任何反應,他面無表情的將身上的草屑拍乾淨,往靜露身邊坐下,剛好擋在靜露與摩頓中間。945Please respect copyright.PENANAm6ZgszFuGt
945Please respect copyright.PENANApRm9YeonIo
摩頓見他一點動怒的跡象也沒,無趣的聳聳肩,然後突然想到什麼的拍了下大腿叫道:「噢對了,我帶了……伴手禮……」他解開綁在旁邊的一個麻布袋,拿出裡面裝著的東西,「喏,幫你們晚餐加菜,麻煩順便分我一份啦!」945Please respect copyright.PENANA5wBFkNlPC4
945Please respect copyright.PENANAGGbLQFinEn
那是一隻超肥超大隻的藍舌蜥蜴。945Please respect copyright.PENANANeH6cYUhf7
945Please respect copyright.PENANAy2WUME25wZ
靜露噗哧一聲笑出來。945Please respect copyright.PENANAMNoJtv4W4d
945Please respect copyright.PENANAA2HDErs7UQ
「啊,」摩頓看到了他們丟在地上吃剩的蜥蜴頭,「看來這家子要在你們肚子裡團員囉!」945Please respect copyright.PENANA3XvEX49Vre
945Please respect copyright.PENANAS0VKXbs1b2
945Please respect copyright.PENANAXZuKlwU3de
945Please respect copyright.PENANA5QXskGDa1z
945Please respect copyright.PENANA1nPi3ynyAj
945Please respect copyright.PENANADL7CZlmkxt
守夜的順序是布羅、摩頓、奈特、靜露。945Please respect copyright.PENANA4Sch7UbPyU
945Please respect copyright.PENANAmCEt7NctGF
凌晨三點。945Please respect copyright.PENANAxXaiHWSSFL
當她拉出懷錶看時間的時候,發現奈特還是多讓她睡了一個小時。945Please respect copyright.PENANAgEOtDebVUk
忍不住有些內疚,她將自己的披風蓋在奈特身上,起身活動筋骨。945Please respect copyright.PENANA5nSzRhBw3y
945Please respect copyright.PENANA1rK8eINeHw
現在雖然是夏天,但日夜溫差極大,到了半夜仍會冷得讓人受不了。摩頓不曉得從哪裡挖來了幾顆大石頭,放在火上燒,等火堆變小了,那些石頭依舊散發著宜人的溫度,溫暖著室內,讓大家能有效率的補充睡眠。945Please respect copyright.PENANAqZ8or6UuIX
945Please respect copyright.PENANAcSCBORowFb
雨停了。945Please respect copyright.PENANAvBQrm5tMCA
她俐落的爬到穀倉的梁上,爬到最上層的通風口,鑽到屋頂外,巡視建築物周遭的安全。945Please respect copyright.PENANAUvG3px2YAR
945Please respect copyright.PENANAayIBJfhCyY
月光亮得可以照得出影子,她看著褪色的紅皮屋頂上的自己。945Please respect copyright.PENANAwIA21dn02e
「新雪梨。妳還是第一次要走到離家那麼遠的地方耶……」她對影子低喃。945Please respect copyright.PENANATWgp0X1qXU
945Please respect copyright.PENANAzyN5NZavhk
對了,『家』。945Please respect copyright.PENANA4roKBHS2UO
她從什麼時候開始覺得土瓮城是『家』了呢?945Please respect copyright.PENANAscCKh4bkFz
945Please respect copyright.PENANAnlpGzCiF5a
從什麼時候開始,她已經沒有那麼想念爸媽、沒有想到咪咪和曉雯就哭、沒有再刻意提醒自己要找回家的路呢?945Please respect copyright.PENANAj5QdF8MBul
945Please respect copyright.PENANAe5m440TJTC
啊,可能是以前看咪咪的那些小說漫畫吧,感覺好像穿過去了都沒什麼機會回家的,所以她很早以前就放棄掙扎了,想說待下來也好,存錢夠了就申請退役去開小吃店,開心就營業不開心就關門,過閒閒的養老生活……945Please respect copyright.PENANA9U3FjNF2hl
945Please respect copyright.PENANAOsJ7oCXy6E
一股涼風吹了過來,她抖了一下,趕緊鑽回屋子裡。小心翼翼的將打結的頭髮梳開,她一邊任由思緒亂飄,一邊綁起複雜的麻花辮。945Please respect copyright.PENANAlS3kjsuBXf
945Please respect copyright.PENANA61Jh3yL9He
就這樣晃來晃去,東摸摸西碰碰,三不五時打個哈欠,再拆開辮子再綁起來,逼自己回想一下唐詩三百首打發時間……945Please respect copyright.PENANAafVBCBATrf
945Please respect copyright.PENANAssqyLMTh8V
……垂死病中驚坐起,笑問客從何處來……怎麼好像怪怪的?很順口可是怪怪的,換一首好了,那個楊玉環的……945Please respect copyright.PENANAfxrcz2VbPE
945Please respect copyright.PENANA7cJDe5imVy
後宮佳麗三千人,鐵杵磨成繡花針……她皺眉,再換。945Please respect copyright.PENANA9s5fh9K3KY
945Please respect copyright.PENANAHVazV0UfnH
將軍百戰死,還來就菊……嗯?嗯嗯??這應該是咪咪當年亂改的版本吧?!她怎麼突然連原版的都記不起來了!怎麼辦?古人們知道遙遠的未來,已經再也沒有人記得最經典的詩詞了嗎?她好歹曾經是文組前段班的耶?!945Please respect copyright.PENANAcrqUaP7oh2
啊不過詩詞也不能當飯吃,算了。945Please respect copyright.PENANABBhZ8aEnK9
945Please respect copyright.PENANAA17vJOtxiJ
她放棄繼續傷害自己腦細胞時,凌晨四點也到了。945Please respect copyright.PENANADbsnZ2K2Dt
945Please respect copyright.PENANAAqEKhfPltE
她走到布羅身邊蹲下來輕輕搖醒他。945Please respect copyright.PENANAWZlYMWRi7K
布羅馬上睜眼,對她微笑道謝。945Please respect copyright.PENANAhvjSRr3QlF
那和煦的鄰家大哥微笑,每次都有辦法讓她也憨憨的跟著傻笑。945Please respect copyright.PENANA0quAhtVGlT
「妳再去睡一下吧,四點半出發。」他說。945Please respect copyright.PENANAo5ro1naoj1
945Please respect copyright.PENANAN3M0Zb80I0
「嗯。」她點點頭,沒客氣地走回奈特身邊準備躺下。945Please respect copyright.PENANA1raZocBfKV
945Please respect copyright.PENANAzWtqQKVfkA
布羅這時卻走到她身邊,俯身下來對她悄悄說:945Please respect copyright.PENANAYHx7Ptp6er
「是奈特提醒的。」945Please respect copyright.PENANAHpN7EPjdUE
945Please respect copyright.PENANAiZMMQ8WQS4
「什麼?」她沒聽懂。945Please respect copyright.PENANAjPgpYLxJfc
945Please respect copyright.PENANATW5phdapWp
「那傢伙。」他大拇指比了比睡在對面的摩頓,「最先發現的不是我,是奈特。」945Please respect copyright.PENANAN9AEbfbRFK
945Please respect copyright.PENANAVK1l8Ls6IS
「喔……我……」靜露看著布羅滿是善意的溫和雙眼,不知該作何回應,「嗯……謝謝你跟我說……?」她硬擠出一個笑容。945Please respect copyright.PENANArRhf6o1zLU
945Please respect copyright.PENANAPfLodn0Z8d
布羅滿意的再咧嘴微笑,然後食指放在唇上,對她比了個祕密的手勢,這才起身走開。945Please respect copyright.PENANA96K2TnVEqv
945Please respect copyright.PENANAntuN0DYIUi
她看著那渾身肌肉的猛男鄰家大哥背影,安心的闔上眼。945Please respect copyright.PENANAcJmfTXMUFZ
945Please respect copyright.PENANAncietbsci1
945Please respect copyright.PENANAT9Qhde7o0x
945Please respect copyright.PENANApVoxCAc0PN
945Please respect copyright.PENANAqUXKlgzlHz